OK Don wrote:
Nitpicking here, but is it a '93 300D 2.5, or a 300E 2.5? My favorite
reference shows the '90 to '93 as 300D 2.5 and the '95 as an E300
Diesel.
I find the ride of my new-to-me '90 300D 2.5 to be much stiffer than
the 300SDL. Maybe it has Bilstein performance shocks? It's also much
more sensitive to cross winds. Perhaps even a bit "jumpy" - kind of
like my MGA was with a dead neutral alignment. It isn't as
directionally stable as the SDL. A function of the shorter wheelbase -
nah, it's a lot longer than the MGA was.
It's a 124.128 300D 2.5.
The 124 is a little more "nervous" or maybe more accurately more
responsive than a 126, BUT if the rear links haven't been replaced with
the revised ones, 15 year old links will make it REALLY nervous (the
rear tires try to steer the car). That WILL make it very sensitive to
wind. When things are right its a delight to drive and feels like you're
on rails.
As to performance or sports shocks - FORGET it. They were only for
lowered cars. You MAY have heavy duty shocks (they were NOT stock for US
delivered cars - stock for US delivery was comfort shocks), but heavy
duty shocks are not fun if you spend a lot of time on the road (my
opinion is they are fine for about 15-30 minutes of driving - after that
driving becomes really tiring). The WONDERFUL feel of a brand new
Mercedes in the US was with comfort shocks!
Marshall
--
Marshall Booth (who doesn't respond to unsigned questions)
"der Dieseling Doktor" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
'87 300TD 182Kmi, '84 190D 2.2 229Kmi, '85 190D 2.0 161Kmi, '87 190D 2.5
turbo 237kmi
