I am seriously considering a 1986-87 300SDL or a 1987 300d. Which is the better choice? Or if there is a completely different model what would you suggest? These diesel mercedes are my favorite and I need to which one to get.



Thanks,
Jay B.

 

The W126 body, 86-87 300SDL, and the W124 body, 87 300D, all share the same OM603 six cylinder turbo diesel engine and I believe transmission too. The big difference is size. The 300SDL is 1/3 larger in size overall than the 300D. The 300SDL has more gadgets and a bit fancier interior.

Being that the 300D is smaller and more aerodynamic, it is better on fuel by 2 or 3 mpg. The 300D has a single panoramic wiper as opposed to the double wiper arms on the 300SDL. Both cars ride extremely well, but the 300D is a bit more nimble and quicker to handle.

Both model cars 86-87, experienced cracked heads if ever over heated once! So if you find one, make sure the head is sound, no oil in coolant reservoir, radiator hoses should remain soft for several minutes after cold start-up.

No Mercedes diesels cars were imported to the US in 88-89-94.

Stay away from the later W126 body, 350SDL 90-93, they are known to bend rods! The 90-93 W124 body 300D cars have the newer design 5 cylinder turbo diesel OM602 engine and are extremely good. The 1995 E300D, same W124 body style as the 87-90-91-92-93 300D, have a 24 valve OM606 naturally aspirated engine and are said to be the best of all the diesels lined up here, and were also used in the 96-97 W210 body style MB cars.

 

Did you memorized that Bob, or had to look at the books?
Very impressive. I did own 93' with 2.5 l and had steady 36 MPG at 70 MPH.
Probably the best upscale commuter available in US.
The cheaper and more economical one is Jetta tdi, but difference in comfort is quite big.

 

This is probably a crazy question, but is there any suspension upgrades that are possible for the 300sdl, because the way some people describe it sounds floaty. My grandfather had a 1985 300SD and from what I remember it was very solid, like you were planted to the ground. The reason I bring this up is because I have found out that the BMW 524td has really good suspension that handles really well. It is waving my decision greatly, if anyone knows a good reason why the BMW isn't a good choice (or why the Mercedes would be a better choice) it would be great if you could let me know.


Thanks

 

I am a closet fan of the 524...If you are looking for all out handling then the E28's will eat any 123 or 124 for breakfast lunch and dinner.
HD springs and shocks (all bets are off on sls models) will firm things up but the noodle swaybars w/ plastic endlinks says it all about the 126's target handling.
The 3.5 rod bender motors were used up to 95 I think in the 140 300 and 350 SDs (both had the 3.5) The post 90 sdl andf sds command a higher price...I don't know why. If you find one that has updated rods in place I think they are great cars.
The low end of the 3.5's move the cars from that 'diesel' catagory to 'normal' phase where your merge options are just the same as every other car.