Diesels to Buy/Avoid (Pre 95's)

[AMGMercedes]

That makes a lawn mower look awefully good.

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[royalfe]

I'm looking at a 92' E class 300D with a 2.5LL5 engineturbocharged is this engine one with a history of heads cracking?

What's the general opinion on this model

[ForcedInduction]

The 2.5L OM602 does not have the same cracking problems as it's larger 6cyl brother. Overheating the engine should still be avoided in any case.

[affalterbach65]

i had good luck with my 93 300D 2.5 turbo. (124 chassis) over 450K miles and still had a lot left in it. com to think of it, i still wonder why i ever sold the car.

[BlackWolf]

ORIGINAL: cdi1

I can personally attest to poor mechanical service from a 91 350sd. My car received perfect care in every regard including all services done on time However at 79k miles a rattle developed and the vehicle was immediately taken to the nearest M/B dealership. They checked it over and said everything was OK and not to be concerned the "rattle" was normal. The following day the timing chain failed which destroyed the engine. Final cost to replace engine with a factory rebuilt engine approx. $9000plus a long-term wait on delivery of the replacement engine from Germany. I don't have to tell you how happy that makes an owner.

Who ever tolds you a "rattle" in a W126 was normal was or is off their rocker. That rattle, as you probably had to find out the hard way probablywas the timing chain telling you it's about to die. The timing chain should've been the first thing they checked because as you know now, if it breaks, the engine is dead. That's with any Mercedes W126 diesel or not. But diesel engine on Merccedes tend to be a bit more expensive than the gas ones.

Any engine that have aluminum heads and been over heated before is a clear red flag of don't buy. Because they can and or will warp and cause lots of problems.

But isn't the 350SDL notorious for the heads cracking or something of the like?

[mbz300sdl]

The 350s bend rods Avoid at all costs unless u have deep pockets and dont care.

These are the years that motor was in those cars

90-91 350sd/sdl
92-94 300sd
95-96 s350

[Kaiser Sozé]

I'm also at a 92 300D, 2.5 Turbo. Anyone know if the heads are made of alluminum or iron?

[ForcedInduction]

A 190D 2.2 will keep up with a non-turbo 300D, a 190D 2.5 N/A will keep up with a turbo 300D and a 190D 2.5T will be faster than any passenger car diesel before 1990 except the 87 300D.

[davesdiesel]

1990 to 1993 300D five cylinder turbo's are excellent buys too! Same engine (basically) as the 1987 190D turbo I own.
Dave J.

[mowoc]

Greetings all,

This is my first post here. I just contracted to by a 1986 300 SDL with 153,000 miles on it. It is in absolutely beautiful shape, but I am curious about this overheating discussion. Could someone help me understand the head cracking and overheating problem? This car appears to have been meticulously maintained, but....


Also, anything else i should worry about?

Thanks,

Tom