[Vwdiesel] Mercedes diesels.

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

  Good points you get with a MB would be a REALLY sound 
crash cage, bulletproof engine, good interior, handling, etc. 
Bad points would be the climate control (in caps!)  weakish 
auto tranny with nearly no manuals available, sometimes bad 
paint, somewhat spendy parts and most of that age are about 
needing an overhaul.  A lot of the reason I didn't really even consider 
putting a 3.0 MB TD in the truck.
  VW will give you much higher mileage generally.  As pointed out 
even with free fuel, it's more convenient to not fill up as often.  Dad 
got mid 20's mpg with his 220 and 300TD (a bit better with the 220).
Parts are cheaper and generally as durable give or take.  Engine is 
snappier (TD to TD).  Plenty of manual trannies out there.  Very good 
handling, more room to work on things, heater core does not require 
gutting the car...
  I like both but as I once told Dad after I got my Audi 5K TD...  I like 
MB but (at that time with their value retention) I'd never spend the money 
for one with the comparrison to the Audi and the better mileage.  :-)
     Loren