Mercedes-Benz 1985 300D Turbo Diesel Vs. 2005 E320 CDI
1985, The last year of one of the most successful models in Mercedes-Benz history the W123. 2,696,915 built. In many countries as many as 75% of the cars originally registered are still on the road today. I would say this model cemented the companies reputation as a leader in quality and reliability.
Fast forward 20 years and the W211 is in it’s place. Its purpose is to see if Mid-size luxury auto buyers will take a chance with new CDI Diesel Technology (CDI stands for Common-rail Diesel Injection.). The E320 CDI has lots of new technology TeleAid, front, front/rear side and curtain airbags, ABS, ESP stability control system, SBS electronic brake-force distribution system, just to name a few.
Side by side the two cars look more than 20 years apart. In fact the W123 was introduced in 1976 and the W211 in 2002. So body style and interior design wise they are 26 years apart. Let’s look at some comparisons. The 300D has a 3.0L Inline 5 cylinder Turbo Diesel, Producing 120 Horsepower and 184 Foot pounds of torque, pulling along 
its 3515lb curb weight. While the E320 CDI’s modern 6 cylinder 3.2L Turbo Diesel produces 201 Horsepower and 369 Foot-pounds of torque, coming in at a 3835lb curb weight. As for fuel efficiency the 300D gets around 25/ city and 32+/ highway (from personal experience) while the E320 CDI 27/ City and 37/ highway. Both have 21 gallon fuel tanks. In 1985 you could go to the Mercedes dealer ship and drive home a Brand new 300D for $32,580 (Moon roof standard.). In 2005, a base model E320 CDI, will set you back $49,075 (Glass sunroof $1,260). However if you adjust for inflation, that 32k in 1985 would be worth about 
58k in 2005.
I believe the future will be bright again for Mercedes Diesel cars as long as the engines continue to be as reliable as in the past. These high fuel prices are making more and more people consider fuel efficient diesel engines. A drawback about the E320 CDI is that it is only 45 state legal. meaning it doesn’t pass the rigorous emissions standards of California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont. However with the new Bluetec V6 Diesel out soon. They should be 50 state legal.
Check out the Mercedes-Benz section of Diesel Auto Blog here.
July 6th, 2008 at 9:18 am
[...] 1983 was the last year of the 240D in the states. It had been sold since 1974(Introduced in 1973 in Europe.). The engine it used was a 4 cylinder 2.4L it produced 72 Horsepower. I drove a 88 horsepower 1980 300D and I thought it was slow. The 1983 Model, specifically the W123 Model, was a very reliable car. It has a very basic, low tech design that made it easy to maintain. I touched on some of the comparisons of the 1985 300D turbo diesel and the 2005 E320 CDi in this article. [...]