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RN

Rohit Niranjan Jadhav

•3d

Hello Autocar India Team! Greetings to all of you! What are your thoughts on replacing the W124 E250 Diesel (05-speed manual, Telco assembled) with the W124 E300 Turbodiesel (04-speed automatic) for regular commutes? Can you share some inputs on the kind of transmission the W124 E300 Turbodiesel carries under its hood and the overall maintenance that it would require? Could you also recommend a mechanic working exclusively on Mercedes-Benz classic cars (possibly within Maharashtra or other states) who can restore a W124 from first screw to last screw? Your article "Mercedes Classic Car Prices on the Rise" in November 2025 has raised the respect for W123, W124, W126, W140 and other similar classic cars! Thank you.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•17h
Replacing the Mercedes W124 250D with a 300D can be a good decision. However, a 4-speed automatic suggests that the 300D is an older, pre-facelift car from before the Telco assembled version came to India. Automatics are also generally harder to repair than manuals.
In terms of maintenance, the OM605 five-cylinder 250D and the OM603 inline six in the 300D usually cost roughly the same to maintain.
We would recommend getting in touch with local Mercedes-Benz car dealers like Landmark Cars and Auto Hangar in Mumbai. They should be able to guide you and help you out.
Ultimately, it comes down to the condition of the engine, transmission and bodywork of both cars. Without assessing those, it is difficult to comment further. Along with the condition of the car, clean and up-to-date paperwork is equally important.

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RN

Rohit Niranjan Jadhav

•41m

Thank you for your revert. I'm extremely happy with our very clean 1996 Facelifted W124 E250D (05 Speed Manual), however the E250D offers 173 Nm of torque compared to the Facelifted W124 E300D (05 Speed Manual) which offers 210 Nm and the Facelifted W124 E300 Turbodiesel (04 Speed Automatic) offering 273 Nm of torque. The clutch on the W124 does feel heavy for my Dad sometimes, hence I was contemplating on the automatic versions of Facelifted W124 Diesels. Regardless, which one do you recommend between the Facelifted Versions of the E300D and the E300 Turbodiesel and why? What kind of Automatic Transmission did the Facelifted W124 E300 Turbodiesel have back then? Did Telco also assemble the Facelift Versions of E300D and E300 Turbodiesel besides the E220 and E250D in India between 1995 & 1997? Is it possible for Autocar India to make a detailed article on the Facelifted W124 Diesel Models made by Mercedes-Benz specifically catering to Right Hand Drive Regions? The OM605.911 on our E250D.is almost maintenance free besides regular servicings!! Did Mercedes-Benz India & Telco offer the OM606 on the Facelifted E300D and OM603 on the Facelifted E300 Turbodiesel in India? Thank you for the recommendation. I opt for MB OE German made parts over MB OE Taiwan made parts for our W124 and hence I have to source parts from UK sometimes. I shall get in touch with Mercedes-Benz Service Centre to check what they have to offer. Based on your further recommendation, I shall decide whether to upgrade to the Facelifted E300D / Facelifted E300 Turbodiesel or whether to happily continue using our 1996 E250D until it reaches the 01 Million Milestone on the Odometer!! The Engine, Transmission, Body and Papers on our 30 Years Young W124 are All Clean and I hope to find a similar clean upgrade! Is there any way I could share a picture of our Facelifted W124 E250D with Autocar India team so that you could relate more to my requirement for upgrade? Thank you.

Latest questions in the community

AB

Abhinaba

•1d

I own a Grand i10 2016 model. I am looking to upgrade to an SUV (not sub-4m ones) with good power and torque. I prefer a manual petrol and want to avoid a turbo if possible. Focus is also on after-sales service. 80% of my runs are in the city. What are the options that I can consider?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•11h

Go for the Hyundai Creta 1.5 SX MT. As a non‑turbo manual, it balances city drivability, adequate 115hp / 144 Nm performance, and Hyundai’s large, reliable service network.Since you prefer a manual petrol and want to avoid turbos, this 1.5‑litre NA with CVT gearbox suits you. With 80% city running, its linear throttle makes crawling and short bursts easy without turbo lag. The 115hp output is enough for quick overtakes up to city speeds. Hyundai’s service network and typical 10,000 km/1‑year intervals (confirm with your dealer) keep upkeep predictable. At over 4.3m, it’s a clear upgrade, not a sub‑4 m compromise.The one thing you give up is the mid‑range surge of a turbo; quick highway passes above 90-100kph will need a downshift or two to access performance.

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Utkarsh

•5d

I currently drive a Land Rover Defender, which I absolutely love for its design and capability. That said, I’m starting to think about SUVs that offer a bit more performance and sporty driving dynamics. I’ve briefly considered the Porsche Cayenne, but I’m curious if there are other options that balance power, handling, and everyday usability. For someone coming from a Defender, what would you recommend?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•15h

As you've rightly said, the Porsche Cayenne is probably your best option. No other large SUV handles as well as it does, and you get the option of two powerful turbo petrol engines - a 340hp V6 and a 500hp V8. However, if you're not concerned with having the Porsche badge, you should consider the Audi Q8, which is mechanically similar to the Cayenne, but comes in three performance levels, is set up to be more comfortable and usable, and is far more affordable too.At one end, there is the base V6 version, with the same 340hp engine, and at the other extreme is the 650hp, V8-powered RS Q8 Performance. However, Audi is about to launch the SQ8 - with the 500hp V8 - in India, and this could be the sweet spot between price and performance for you.

VehiclePorsche Cayenne
VehicleAudi Q8
RI

Ritz

•4d

I am looking to buy an SUV (with good ground clearance) which is fun to drive. For me, good mileage, a good audio system and a big boot space (for 3 big suitcases for a holiday trip) are important. My need is for a family of five. My overall usage is mainly city driving in Bangalore with occasional highway usage. I currently own a Ciaz Diesel and am looking to replace it. I intend to own the next vehicle for at least 7-10 years, hence it should not be too outdated technology-wise. I am open to EV’s, too. My budget is around ₹20-25 lakh (might stretch till ₹30 lakh if it's a really better option).

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•16h

Considering your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is a good option for you. It gets the option of a smooth, refined and punchy diesel engine that is efficient, a very good audio system and a huge boot if you fold down the third row. Since you are a family of five, the third row can be folded away for most parts and be used as a huge boot. The 7XO is also packed with the latest tech and features, so you have the latest ADAS Level 2, responsive screens with app support and OTA updates and a modern powertrain too.What's also nice is the performance of the petrol engine. It is responsive and refined, and in the city, the cabin insulation is excellent, making it a lot more comfortable. The suspension, too, has been revamped with the update from 700 to 7XO and is a big jump from what it was before.As an all-round package, the Mahindra XUV 7XO would be our recommendation, and it will also fit well in your budget.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

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Posted on: 14 Mar 2026