Eddie Alterman's 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D Turbo Diesel - CAR and DRIVER

Editor-In-Chief Eddie Alterman shows off his 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D Turbo Diesel on the latest episode of Car and Driver: Tested.

CAR: Mercedes-Benz 300D Turbo Diesel
LOCATION: Michigan
MAG EDITORS: Eddie Alterman

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[suneilkumar]

My first car! This was my ride to school when I was 16. I called it the Tank. 0-60 in 2 minutes but I drove around like I was BOSS. Treated it like my baby, and the girls loved it!

[patriciapearl]

I have an 85 300D I bought 6 years ago as a temporary car until I was able to buy a new one. As it turns out, my Benz has never broken down on me in 6 years and I made it my permanent car that I wouldn't trade for any other car. Othe than new glow plugs and routine oil changes, it has proven to be the best, reliable car I have ever owned. I love my Benz, yours is amazing too.

[karlnapp]

Taxi drivers all over europe still cry today, remembering the 123 as a car that never broke down.

[alexanderstefanov]

The w123 is an icon of automobile design, the fact that so many of us still look at it with desire even now is a testament to the quality of it's design, engineering and vault like build. A truly exceptional vehicle IMHO, and with a ride quality which shames most modern cars and their silly low profile tyres.

[EveryCrumbCounts]

Changed the oil and put in a new air filter today on my 79 300SD. My first car and only car, hand to swap the transmission with a 300TD from pick and pull to get it out of the mechanic's lot that i had purchased from. Yes it may cost $170 for a piece of rubber in the duel diaphragm vacuum pump on the 79' and yes it's a little bit grumpy on a crisp winters morning and Yes it's little slow off the start. But I am always going to be able to be able to turn the key and hear that turbo purr at 60mph knowing that i can happily say i can, and am, keeping this car for the rest of my life.

[deer]

I Love my 81' Droped 4 inches 3'inch full exhaust, alda turned off, 3'inch intake, pump turned up, a hair. Love it for ever!

[xSmythosx]

I'm getting one of these tomorrow as a first car! Mine will be a 1984. I test drove it and I love it, despite its issues and quirks!

[MY-pjcd]

God bless these cars may they continue to live forever

[JanMichaelFranklin]

I love these very personal stories. Especially when someone has a vehicle that they appreciate for their own reasons. This guy purchased this car for his pleasure and for no other reason. He didn't care what other people would think. He didn't care if it wasn't the newest, greatest, fastest or most expensive. Bravo.

[EdwinHenryBlachford]

Dad was a Royal Navy chief engineer. He told us when boys.."buy a Rolls Royce and never sell it. That's the cheapest way to own a vehicle". This is because maintenance and depreciation are your greatest cost. However, that was true of a Rolls or Merc in 1975, but not now. As soon as plastic started to be used for car dashboards, you knew there was no way the bloody things would last. Now they're made to use 5 years then throw away. You pay big - you're an idiot cos you get nothing for it except a badge and a dream of what that badge once meant. But a 300D?.. yeh i'd buy one if it was around. Then buy a CNC lathe, a 3D printer and a milling machine to make the parts.

[bosse]

Dream car. they were still made today. ...top shelf this.

[rayeast]

I bought a 300 D in 1982 and still have it along with two later Mercedes. I drove two days ago and it started right up. These cars vehicle legends. My elderly mother while riding the back in 1986 said that it was the best riding car that she had ever experienced. Appreciation demonstrates wisdom.

[RaleighBurke]

Lost it at "0-60 is from 13 seconds to 2 weeks." I can confirm this as a 84' 300TD owner.

[jkp]

I'm so glad to say that I will be getting one of these for my first car!

[cynthialyman]

Color me excited: I was nineteen when I drove my first Mercedes-Benz and it was exactly my very age; it was a mint condition coupe owned by a very well off individual who entrusted me to look after it while he was out of the country for a month. From that moment forward I always wanted to own a Mercedes but having a father who worked as an engineer for GM (although he was full-blood German) the moment never came for many years: now I am in my fifties. parents both gone, and I can finally 'afford' a Mercedes! I just bought a 1983 300SD today from its second owner, a young man who really didn't want to part with it but was at least thrilled that his baby found the proper new home. Pale gold, purrs beautifully; she's at the mechanic having a few minor issues addressed, then she's really mine.

[denis]

I have w123 300D. This car is amazing. simply made but i know i will get from point a to b. Its a lil bit slow but ride is smooth and i enjoy every km that i make with this car. Seats are soft lika a living room couch. Fuel consumption its ok. 8.5liter/100km. The only big problem with these cars is rust. Mine will stay in garage over winter and i hope i will repair rust next year. Everytime when i park in garage and look back at car i get smile at my face. Such a beautiful car and i finally have it :)

[wonkydude]

Lots of fond memories with this car. When I was 7, I went on a road trip in this car in the summer of 83 from New Jersey to Chicago and back. My dad was borrowing it for the week.

[alexanderstefanov]

The w123 is an icon of automobile design, the fact that so many of us still look at it with desire even now is a testament to the quality of it's design, engineering and vault like build. A truly exceptional vehicle IMHO, and with a ride quality which shames most modern cars and their silly low profile tyres.

[debbiescott]

Amazing, I bought a 1984 Turbo 300 D. It's unbelievable, our 7 th mb. Very blessed.

[Surreal_Wizard]

A buddy of mine used to have one of those "Cat Bodied" Mercedeses. Same color, year and model, even had the same "Tree" license plate. Although it was the butt of many cat jokes (We used to place a bowl of cat food in front of it and say we were chipping in for fuel) the car was nice to ride in and ran well. They aren't as common on the roads as they used to be but every time I see one, it makes me smile.