This Unicorn Diesel Manual Slicktop Wagon Is One of Sacco’s Best — Carmudgeon Ep 240 w Jason Cammisa

This Unicorn Diesel Manual Slicktop Wagon Is One of Sacco’s Best — Carmudgeon Ep 240 w Jason Cammisa

June 8, 2026 · 1h 1m

About this episode

Derek and Jason discuss the allure of European diesel cars, focusing on a unique 1998 Mercedes-Benz C250 Turbodiesel and its desirability among car enthusiasts.

You know the saying - the grass is always greener on the other side. Well…that same grass might be covered in diesel soot - but we don’t care! Many American car enthusiasts will forever desire the forbidden European diesels we were never offered here in the US. Derek decided he’d had enough - and went some lengths to acquire his new unicorn wagon - a 1998 Mercedes-Benz C250 Turbodiesel (S202). And the level of unicorn doesn’t stop at diesel station wagon - this one is also has a 5-speed manual, a slicktop, cloth seats, AND a Bruno Sacco design - making it 100% Carmudgeonation-proof. Our hosts Derek Tam-Scott and Jason Cammisa discuss why the S202 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is such a desirable package even 30+ years after it debuted. Moreover, Derek and Jason discuss why diesels are much more enthusiastic than others may think - citing examples like the euro-only BMW M550d and Audi S6 TDI Avant. Also discussed are the endless variants of Mercedes diesels and their tune-ability, primarily discussing the OM605 and OM606 “superturbo” builds found on a variety of different Mercedes-Benzes from the 1980s to the early 2000s, from W123 to W210 and beyond. All this and more, on this episode of…

People in this episode

Host: Derek Tam-Scott

Guest: Jason Cammisa

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Products: 1998 Mercedes-Benz C250 Turbodiesel, BMW M550d, Audi S6 TDI Avant, OM605, OM606

Places: US, Europe

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