[W126 Coupe] Re: MBCOUPES Digest, Vol 11, Issue 2

[Dan Stratton]

Yes, I'm familiar with both, I used a '82 300SD as my daily driver  
for 10 years (260K miles) - they are bullet proof, only weak area is  
the transmission (I replaced mine with a newer model trans), A/C and  
front sys stuff that is common to all 80's MB 126. The 350SD on the  
other hand is a time bomb. My friend (who I purchased the '82 from)  
had a '91 350SD and the engine went at only 85K miles - required a  
new long block to the tune of $14K. Another person I know from  
business had her '90 300SD (6 cyl) self destruct at 120K miles. Both  
happened within 3 months of each other. I would stay away from any 6  
cyl MB diesel from 85 - 93. From people I know and have heard from  
about 50% of 6 cyl diesels have had catastrophic failure.

Dan Stratton




> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 00:15:11 -0400
> From: "RICHARD JAFFE" <RSJAFFE at msn.com>
> Subject: [W126 Coupe] OFF TOPIC - 126 CHASSIS DIESELS 300SD VS 350SD
> To: <MBCOUPES at MBCOUPES.COM>
> Message-ID: <BAY104-DAV126D37785030CD7437C5CEAAA20 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I'm thinking about getting a diesel as a daily driver. The issue is  
> whether to stick with the 3 ltr 5 cyl turbodiesel (these seem to be  
> pretty bullet proof) or go with the 3.5 ltr 6 cyl turbodiesel (1991  
> model year). One website mentioned numerous problems with the 3.5  
> ltr motor that MB did not acknowledge. Anyone have any experience  
> with either of these vehicles?
>
> Rich Jaffe



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Dan Stratton   dan at autoretro.com
560SEC, 300d, 220S Cabriolet, 220S Sunroof and others