I'd heartily endorse a Mercedes diesel, if you can live with a sedan.
You can easily get a good one for your budget.  You can find a wagon
but they tend to commmand premium prices.

They are very well made, the engines are actually designed to be
diesels, not converted gasser blocks like a VW.  If you work on your
own cars, you will find the Mercedes generally easy to work on.

You might have a little difficulty locating a rust-free one in the
northeast, but if you can get into carolina/georga territory, anywhere
out of the winter salt belt they are more plentiful.  Too far south
and they tend to be sun-baked.

There are a few models to avoid, the early '90s 350 SD and SDL used a
6 cylinder diesel with weak rods, they usually bend and then the
cylinder walls wear oval and the engine begins to drink oil.  If you
can find one with a factory rebuilt engine those are good.

The OM617 engine used in the W123 chassis is pretty bullet proof if
it's reasonably cared for.  They do need valve adjustments at least
once a year.

It will be hard to find one without automatic climate control, power
windows, and automatic transmission unless it's a european "grey
market" import.  MB just did not sell the base trim models in the USA.

Like any older car, the air conditioning system is probably a weak
point.  Pay close attention, try to find one that works and has not
had a R134A conversion done.  The cooling capacity of the AC is just
adequate.  If you see one advertising that the "A/C blows ice cold" be
suspicious.  If converted to R134A it will be even worse and may not
cool satisfactorily on hot days.  Also the conversions tend to be
half-assed and leaks or compressor problems soon follow.

I personally would never run veg oil in a diesel that I wanted to keep
for a long time, but that's up to you.

You might want to lurk on the Mercedes lists and forums for a while,
there are several good ones, to get more info.

Good luck,

Allan

Ed Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM> writes:

> I'm looking for some input as to which diesel vehicle I should get for
> $3,000 or less. I just got rid of a Jetta diesel that I had an
> accident with and really want a diesel again. I do already have two
> Vanagons, one Wolfsburg with the bed and rear-facing seats, and one
> Westfalia in need of body repair.
>
> I'm thinking of a diesel 7-passenger Vanagon that my mechanic would
> sell me after putting in good shape. It would most likely have a 1.6
> NA, and I know I won't get anywhere fast.
>
> My other thoughts were for an older Mercedes or Volvo diesel. I've
> never owned either. I'd rather avoid things like electronic temp
> control and power windows and the like- more things to go wrong and
> have to fix. I would like a/c, something I know I won't get with the
> Vanagon diesel.
>
>  I would also most likely put a veg. oil kit into whatever I bought. I
> had one in the Jetta, but sold that with the car, so I'd have to start
> over.
>
> Thoughts or suggestions? Also, if anyone knows of any diesel Vanagons,
> MB or Volvo diesels in the northeast, please let me know.
>
> Thanks, Ed Duntz
>

--
1983 300D
1966 230