From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Thu Oct 16 11:18:11 2003 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Thursday, October 16 2003 Volume 01 : Number 1250 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Re: [db] filter follies Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Re[2]: [db] filter follies Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler [db] 1990's E300D Reviews / Advice Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Re: [db] filter follies [db] Parts sources, Was: filter follies Re: [db] Parts sources, Was: filter follies Re: Re[2]: [db] filter follies Re: [db] Parts sources, Was: filter follies Re: [db] 1990's E300D Reviews / Advice Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 10:03:59 -0400 From: "J.B. Hebert" Subject: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Back when I was looking for a good 300D/CD, I came across an '84 300CD that was too expensive, rusty, and slow, but had a nice rubber trunk lid spoiler that looked really sharp. It's the fitted style that wraps slightly over the sides, and flips up a little at the rear. Does anyone know where I might be able to acquire such a spoiler? Also, does anyone know if there is a more aggressive front valance/air dam/spoiler available for this car? I'm pretty sure AMG made a body kit, but I can't find anything on eBay and the like. I'd like a larger air space under the bumper for the FMIC I'm installing. Thanks in advance. J.B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 10:31:53 -0400 From: Robert Chase Subject: Re: [db] filter follies Lately I have been spoiled with the ability to walk up and get parts from a parts dealer with a retail counter. Prices end up cheaper than Rusty because there is no shipping charges. They have pretty much anything new or used I could ever want. Its like being in a candy store :) As well I was suprised by a visit to the dealership. I went in for coolant because I had a last minute need for some and found the parts department reasonably priced and the parts guy rather knowledgeable. I avoid NAPA at all costs. Once I got into an argument with one of the parts guys over german style fuses. I was buying german style glass fuses and he swore up one side and down the other that they were lightbulbs. I said ok give me some of your 10amp lightbulbs and the guy sold them to me and then followed me in the parking lot to see my fuse box light up. He was very dissapointed when it did not light up. Robert Chase Richard Welty wrote: > i have previously mentioned that napa filters for my wife's 1996 E300D have > typically been german-made Mann filters in Napa/Wix boxes. when i picked up > two fool filters for the car at NAPA earlier this week, i got a bit of a suprise. > > the first box i opened contained the expected Mann filter. the second box, > though, was labeled "Made in Poland". i opened it, and found a filter of > different construction and finish. it will fit, and probably work fine, but > it is definitely not a Mann filter. > > not knowing how good this filter is, i'll probably use it in the first > phase of the fool tank cleanup project (shock it with algicide, change fool > filters, wait a month, see how it runs and change filters again if needed.) > > and in the future, i'll probably just order filters from rusty well in > advance of need. > > richard ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 10:34:14 -0400 From: Robert Chase Subject: Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Hmmm, Trying to block the bugs from hitting your rear window? Robert Chase J.B. Hebert wrote: > Back when I was looking for a good 300D/CD, I came across an '84 300CD > that was too expensive, rusty, and slow, but had a nice rubber trunk lid > spoiler that looked really sharp. It's the fitted style that wraps > slightly over the sides, and flips up a little at the rear. Does anyone > know where I might be able to acquire such a spoiler? Also, does anyone > know if there is a more aggressive front valance/air dam/spoiler > available for this car? I'm pretty sure AMG made a body kit, but I > can't find anything on eBay and the like. I'd like a larger air space > under the bumper for the FMIC I'm installing. > > Thanks in advance. > > J.B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 10:40:15 -0400 From: "J.B. Hebert" Subject: Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Yeah, yeah... laugh all you want. ;) Just getting prepared for when I'm making 200+ RWHP and racing M3's... need the extra downforce. :) J.B. At 10:34 AM 10/16/2003 -0400, you wrote: >Hmmm, > >Trying to block the bugs from hitting your rear window? > >Robert Chase > > > >J.B. Hebert wrote: > >>Back when I was looking for a good 300D/CD, I came across an '84 300CD >>that was too expensive, rusty, and slow, but had a nice rubber trunk lid >>spoiler that looked really sharp. It's the fitted style that wraps >>slightly over the sides, and flips up a little at the rear. Does anyone >>know where I might be able to acquire such a spoiler? Also, does anyone >>know if there is a more aggressive front valance/air dam/spoiler >>available for this car? I'm pretty sure AMG made a body kit, but I can't >>find anything on eBay and the like. I'd like a larger air space under >>the bumper for the FMIC I'm installing. >>Thanks in advance. >>J.B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 10:41:11 -0400 (EDT) From: Richard Welty Subject: Re[2]: [db] filter follies On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 10:31:53 -0400 Robert Chase wrote: > As well I was suprised by a visit to the dealership. I went in for > coolant because I had a last minute need for some and found the parts > department reasonably priced and the parts guy rather knowledgeable. here in albany we're not so lucky. the local MB dealership is pretty notorious for extremely high prices and a "we don't care, we're the phone company, we don't have to" attitude. > I avoid NAPA at all costs. NAPA is a mixed bag. i go there for some things and not others. the filter issue suprised me because traditionally the filters that come from NAPA have reliably been of good quality. > Once I got into an argument with one of the > parts guys over german style fuses. that sounds like typical retail help during a full employment economy. this wasn't a few years ago back before the tech bust, was it? richard - -- Richard Welty rwelty-at-averillpark.net Averill Park Networking 518-573-7592 Java, PHP, PostgreSQL, Unix, Linux, IP Network Engineering, Security ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 09:59:57 CDT From: acordova-at-texas.net Subject: Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Heehee. JB, you might check Performance Products, and get a W123 catalog from them. There are several recognizable brands that make those kinds of things for Benzes, so you should be able to find exactly what you want. I recommend their printed catalogs over trying to find stuff in their web site. Alec > Hmmm, > > Trying to block the bugs from hitting your rear window? > > Robert Chase > > > > J.B. Hebert wrote: > > > Back when I was looking for a good 300D/CD, I came across an '84 300CD > > that was too expensive, rusty, and slow, but had a nice rubber trunk lid > > spoiler that looked really sharp. It's the fitted style that wraps > > slightly over the sides, and flips up a little at the rear. Does anyone > > know where I might be able to acquire such a spoiler? Also, does anyone > > know if there is a more aggressive front valance/air dam/spoiler > > available for this car? I'm pretty sure AMG made a body kit, but I > > can't find anything on eBay and the like. I'd like a larger air space > > under the bumper for the FMIC I'm installing. > > > > Thanks in advance. > > > > J.B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 11:06:34 -0400 From: "John Peterson" Subject: [db] 1990's E300D Reviews / Advice Mercedes diesel fans, I'm a newbie. I'm joining after 5+ years of being a Saab owner and forum member. I'm going to buy a diesel mercedes, and would like some advice for models to look for. I'd also like to know where people generally find them-- it seems that dealers here (Rhode Island) don't have any older ones. My mechanic is able to buy trade-ins to the local Mercedes dealer from them wholesale and can help-- I like the 300 body from the 1990's, and am wondering what are the "better years" for the 300D? Thanks! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 11:08:26 -0400 From: "J.B. Hebert" Subject: Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Yep... already have that catalog. Doesn't have what I'm looking for, though. :( J.B. At 09:59 AM 10/16/2003 -0500, you wrote: >Heehee. > >JB, you might check Performance Products, and get a W123 catalog from them. >There are several recognizable brands that make those kinds of things for >Benzes, so you should be able to find exactly what you want. > >I recommend their printed catalogs over trying to find stuff in their web >site. > >Alec > > > Hmmm, > > > > Trying to block the bugs from hitting your rear window? > > > > Robert Chase > > > > > > > > J.B. Hebert wrote: > > > > > Back when I was looking for a good 300D/CD, I came across an '84 300CD > > > that was too expensive, rusty, and slow, but had a nice rubber trunk lid > > > spoiler that looked really sharp. It's the fitted style that wraps > > > slightly over the sides, and flips up a little at the rear. Does anyone > > > know where I might be able to acquire such a spoiler? Also, does anyone > > > know if there is a more aggressive front valance/air dam/spoiler > > > available for this car? I'm pretty sure AMG made a body kit, but I > > > can't find anything on eBay and the like. I'd like a larger air space > > > under the bumper for the FMIC I'm installing. > > > > > > Thanks in advance. > > > > > > J.B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 11:08:34 -0400 From: Robert Chase Subject: Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Heh heh, When you get that out of your 5 cylenders let me know. A slightly detuned version might be fun for my 300SD :) Robert Chase J.B. Hebert wrote: > Yeah, yeah... laugh all you want. ;) > > Just getting prepared for when I'm making 200+ RWHP and racing M3's... > need the extra downforce. :) > > J.B. > > At 10:34 AM 10/16/2003 -0400, you wrote: > >> Hmmm, >> >> Trying to block the bugs from hitting your rear window? >> >> Robert Chase >> >> >> >> J.B. Hebert wrote: >> >>> Back when I was looking for a good 300D/CD, I came across an '84 >>> 300CD that was too expensive, rusty, and slow, but had a nice rubber >>> trunk lid spoiler that looked really sharp. It's the fitted style >>> that wraps slightly over the sides, and flips up a little at the >>> rear. Does anyone know where I might be able to acquire such a >>> spoiler? Also, does anyone know if there is a more aggressive front >>> valance/air dam/spoiler available for this car? I'm pretty sure AMG >>> made a body kit, but I can't find anything on eBay and the like. I'd >>> like a larger air space under the bumper for the FMIC I'm installing. >>> Thanks in advance. >>> J.B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 11:19:11 -0400 From: "J.B. Hebert" Subject: Re: [db] Looking for 300D/CD spoiler Getting it isn't the problem... getting it reliably is. :) I'll keep everyone posted. J.B. At 11:08 AM 10/16/2003 -0400, you wrote: >Heh heh, > >When you get that out of your 5 cylenders let me know. A slightly detuned >version might be fun for my 300SD :) > >Robert Chase > > >J.B. Hebert wrote: > >>Yeah, yeah... laugh all you want. ;) >>Just getting prepared for when I'm making 200+ RWHP and racing M3's... >>need the extra downforce. :) >>J.B. >>At 10:34 AM 10/16/2003 -0400, you wrote: >> >>>Hmmm, >>> >>>Trying to block the bugs from hitting your rear window? >>> >>>Robert Chase >>> >>> >>> >>>J.B. Hebert wrote: >>> >>>>Back when I was looking for a good 300D/CD, I came across an '84 300CD >>>>that was too expensive, rusty, and slow, but had a nice rubber trunk >>>>lid spoiler that looked really sharp. It's the fitted style that wraps >>>>slightly over the sides, and flips up a little at the rear. Does >>>>anyone know where I might be able to acquire such a spoiler? Also, >>>>does anyone know if there is a more aggressive front valance/air >>>>dam/spoiler available for this car? I'm pretty sure AMG made a body >>>>kit, but I can't find anything on eBay and the like. I'd like a larger >>>>air space under the bumper for the FMIC I'm installing. >>>>Thanks in advance. >>>>J.B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 11:21:23 -0400 From: Robert Chase Subject: Re: [db] filter follies Richard Welty wrote: > here in albany we're not so lucky. the local MB dealership is pretty > notorious for extremely high prices and a "we don't care, we're the phone > company, we don't have to" attitude. Ah, We have 3 Mercedes Dealerships all fighting one another to sell cars and parts. RBM of Atlanta is my favorite very friendly they litterally throw keys at you when you walk in the showroom and want you to drive ANYTHING on the lot regardless of your interest in purchase. Atlanta Classic cars is a little more reserved but I have a salesperson that im friendly with there. She is actually a bit insane as she was showing me the "performance capabilities" of a w-140 sedan on city streets I was a bit shocked at what a big sedan like that would do. Then there is Carrige House which is the closest dealership to me. I considered selling cars there until I walked into the dealership and the sales staff were wearing suits and jackets in 80 degree heat. I think we even have one in Buckhead I have never been to and another one going up in Norcross. > NAPA is a mixed bag. i go there for some things and not others. the filter > issue suprised me because traditionally the filters that come from NAPA > have reliably been of good quality. Yes some of their stuff is ok quality. > that sounds like typical retail help during a full employment economy. this > wasn't a few years ago back before the tech bust, was it? Yes. It was "during" when I first got my Mercedes. He was rather facinated with the inside of my engine compartment though. Probably even more so when he heard me start it and I drove away :) > richard ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 10:48:23 -0500 From: "Sam Williams" <1sam-at-io.com> Subject: [db] Parts sources, Was: filter follies Richard, Robert, Individual stores vary. I find NAPA products more dependable than those from the McParts stores. Often OEM parts from the MB dealer parts counter are less expensive and higher quality than similar parts from other sources. That varies by dealer and over time at the same dealer. I've never had a bad MB Branded part but WOW!, they sure can be expensive, sometimes. Some mail order places are better than others. I like Randy Steele, many here like Rusty. If there's time, I order from Randy. If not, I go to dealer first--only use NAPA and McParts in emergencies or if the dealer is outrageously expensive that day or on that part. Sam - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net] On Behalf Of Robert Chase Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 9:32 AM To: Richard Welty; Diesel Benz Subject: Re: [db] filter follies Lately I have been spoiled with the ability to walk up and get parts from a parts dealer with a retail counter. Prices end up cheaper than Rusty because there is no shipping charges. They have pretty much anything new or used I could ever want. Its like being in a candy store :) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 12:57:59 -0400 (EDT) From: Richard Welty Subject: Re: [db] Parts sources, Was: filter follies argh. i meant to send this to the whole list, not just to sam: On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 10:48:23 -0500 Sam Williams <1sam-at-io.com> wrote: > Individual stores vary. I find NAPA products more dependable than > those from the McParts stores. Often OEM parts from the MB dealer > parts counter are less expensive and higher quality than similar > parts from other sources. That varies by dealer and over time > at the same dealer. I've never had a bad MB Branded part but > WOW!, they sure can be expensive, sometimes. you may not have been reading the list when i told my radiator hose story. i'll recap, just to give an idea exactly what sort of business the local MB dealership is here in Albany. the upper radiator hose in my wife's 1996 E300D developed a split. i asked at the local NAPA (it's a molded hose with three bends, nothing hard about that) but they said it was dealer only. i headed over to the local dealership (Keeler, on NY 7). they quoted me $200 for the hose. i checked rusty's web site, the hose wasn't on it. i called, because rusty has resources that aren't on the web site. he quoted me about $16 for the same hose the dealership wanted $200 for. when it showed up, it was an MB part with a pick slip from the US MB warehouse. so if the franchise were ever to change hands in Albany, i'd consider going to the dealership. but as long as it's held by keeler, it'll be a cold day in hell before i go back there. richard - -- Richard Welty rwelty-at-averillpark.net Averill Park Networking 518-573-7592 Java, PHP, PostgreSQL, Unix, Linux, IP Network Engineering, Security ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 10:14:53 -0700 From: "Paul Schwartz" Subject: Re: Re[2]: [db] filter follies > that sounds like typical retail help during a full employment economy. this > wasn't a few years ago back before the tech bust, was it? I live in the Silicon Valley and the down turn hasn't mellowed the parts guys at the MBZ dealerships. I face prices 30-50% higher than Rusty for parts labeled "Made in India." Plus, almost 9% in sales tax. I just wait until I have 75 bucks in parts that I need and get the free shipping. And it saves me a 45 minute drive to the parts store (both ways). Paul ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 13:19:38 -0400 From: Mike Frank Subject: Re: [db] Parts sources, Was: filter follies I like going to the dealer for parts (although it's usually more expensive). They will usually take the time to answer questions for me, and they will print out relevant pages from the parts ROM or the FSM if I need them. But I buy a lot of stuff through the usual mail order folks too. I want them all to stay interested in these older cars. Mike Frank ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 10:41:57 -0700 From: john meister Subject: Re: [db] 1990's E300D Reviews / Advice I've got a '91 300d with the 2.5L TD, I've also tested out an '87 with the 3.0L TD. From what I know it's good to avoid the 3.5L engines. I've got 175,000 miles on mine, have some brake rotor issues to deal with but otherwise it's a great car. Really like the 124 chassis. john John Peterson wrote: >Mercedes diesel fans, I'm a newbie. I'm joining after 5+ years of being a >Saab owner and forum member. I'm going to buy a diesel mercedes, and would >like some advice for models to look for. I'd also like to know where people >generally find them-- it seems that dealers here (Rhode Island) don't have any >older ones. > >My mechanic is able to buy trade-ins to the local Mercedes dealer from them >wholesale and can help-- I like the 300 body from the 1990's, and am wondering >what are the "better years" for the 300D? > >Thanks! > > > - -- - ----------------------------- Oh well, I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess -Red Green http://www.redgreen.com/ - ------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... Jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #1250 **********************************