[W126 Coupe] Re: MBCOUPES Diesel Daily Driver

[Tony Damar]

I know this is a few days late, but I haven't had the time to check emails that aren't work related.  
 
On the topic of 300SD vs 350SD, the 350's had the connecting rods lightened.  The "timebomb" factor is if one is run with very low oil.  This goes back to the whole "maintenance not design" issue.  My father is a huge Merc diesel fan and this has rubbed off on me over the years.  From our mechanics' points of view, the 300SDL (6cyl turbo diesel) is the best diesel from the W126 line.  As a testament to this my father has an '81 (287K miles, still runs great but is now for parts), an '83 300SD (<120K miles) and an '87 300SDL (164K miles).  The SDL was rear ended and totalled, but we're looking for a 300/350SDL in need of an engine and tranny swap to buy.  I forget the engine number, but the '86 & '87 300SDLs are awesome as are the '81 through '85 300SDs.  
 
Dan, I'm assuming that the '90 300SD you reference below is actually a 350SD.
 
Rich, if I had to choose between a 300 and 350, I'd choose the 300. 
 
Just my $0.02.
Tony
ps Sorry if this has been covered, but I am only now getting to check emails that are over a week old

Dan Stratton <stratton at illustration.com> wrote:

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" 
> Subject: [W126 Coupe] OFF TOPIC - 126 CHASSIS DIESELS 300SD VS 350SD
> To: 
> Message-ID: 
> 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

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