Who owns, or has owned, both an SD and SDL?

[bbeardb]

See, I've moved from just wanting a diesel mercedes, to a D, then an SD, and now towards an SDL. I have tons of time (as long as my sanity holds out) to get one, so I'm being real picky. Although I will probably cave and just buy something sometime.

I was just curious for those who have owned both, as to what your impressions are towards the the two cars, which one you have a preference for. Yeah, I know, SD should be more reliable, and SDL has more power, and the (potentially scary and dreaded) aliminum head, they look the same but one is longer and most of that jazz.

I just want to know how you feel about the two cars.

Anyone?

Thanks,

B

Well i've never owned the SD, although I drove one this past weekend that was really nice, inside, outside and under the hood. It had a good pick up to it. The 617 engine is a very reliable engine and most pefer to work on them.My SDL is nice bigger, engine runs well and yes stronger. If you do go to the SDL you will have to consider the implications about the head. The dreaded #14. Look for one with #17, which is the updated version if you decide to go that route. I have the #14, but so far so good at 170k miles. I didn't know this at the time, when i was wanting a MB. I didn't do my homework. You've got the time and you should do lots of homework. However, I don't think you can go wrong with either of these nice cars.

[Oil_burner]

Right now I've got both. An '84 SD - love it, downright hard to break it. My wife tried her best last winter. The water pump went out on a very cold day last winter. She drove it the rest of the way home; over 60mi. Said the heater stopped working about that far back. When I finally looked at it late at night it was essentially dry. Good thing it was quite cold. Next day I replaced the water pump, took all of 20 minutes - did not even have to take off a belt. Still running strong at 160k; over 10k after the coolant drought. The other car, an '87 SDL, with just over 70k, would have probably needed at least a new head. I like both. The SDL has more rear leg room, and a bit more power. I would buy another of either. The biggest problem to date is an issue with the SDL transmission. Still sorting that out.

[tstarr]

I have an 82 SD and an 87 SDL. All other things being equal, I prefer DRIVING the SDL, and MAINTAINING the SD. My SD was a hand-me-down from my father-in-law and had some maintenance issues. My problem is that I really need to catch up on the repairs on the car. The SDL is nicer and classier, but mechanically not as good (IMHO).

[Luke]

I have a '78 300D and have driven a friends (forum member who has been inactive this year) '92 350SDL. One of the things that has always impressed me about the big Mercedes cars is that I could get behind the wheel of my friends big SDL diesel superliner, and feel just as well oriented as I do in my 300D. I drove it around town, and I was just as at home with the manuevering geometery of that car as I was with my W123. I knew where the bumpers were, etc... Find yourself a nice one and go for it.

[andersbenz]

bbeardb

I have a '77 240D stick and '81 SD. I prefer the 240 around town and the SD on the highway. I know.....not quite the question you asked.

Cheers

[Alan Hamm]

I have a 123 and a 126 (SDL) but I have driven a SD. For me, something about the extra 6" (or is it 9"?) makes a difference. I just cannot imagine a nicer road car than my SDL. I am like a kid with a bike where the first thing you do when you get home after being away for a while is jump in and go somewhere.

As much as the SDL head issues are discussed in this forum, I still have never looked to see if mine is a #14 or #17. What am I going to do if it is a 14? It is running very strong and I keep an eye on things. If the head goes, I have some decisions to make, but right now that would be easy. What other car could I get for the cost of the head replacement that would be this nice?

I say go with the SDL if you are comfortable driving a big car. You will never look back. (except to watch the smoke in the tail lights behind you).

[willrev]

I am interested too in finding a newer diesel down the road. Do you folks know what year the W140 body started and when it ended and they went to the E300 Diesel? I have seen some S Class W140 diesels in the 350SDL and they are bigger than E300. But I do not know much about these cars.

[Hatterasguy]

The SD and SDL are the same car pretty much, so body parts cost the same. But I prefer the 603 to the 617, the 603 gets better mileage, has more power, and is very simple to work on. I would say their both about the same to work on, the 603 is more modern and the glow plugs are harder to get at. Drive one and see what you prefer. The 603 is faster and sounds sweet over 4k rpm.

[D.Blake]

I have both and given the choice I would pick the SDL. Some pros and cons of the SDL over the SD:

Pros (OM 603, W 126.125)
- Hydraulic lifters, no 15K adjustment
- Smoother and a bit quieter engine with a little more power
- 6" longer wheelbase, mostly in rear seat legroom
- More convenient locking system over the 83 and earlier SDs (i.e. being able to lock and unlock doors/trunk @ drivers/passenger doors and trunk)
- Vent position sun roof
- ABS (not sure about the 84 and 85 SDs,they may have it)
- Serpentine belt as opposed to four v-belts
- Recirc option on ACC
- Rear headrests (some SDs may have this, I know some SEs do)
- Memory seat positions (84 and 85 SDs may have this)
- 15 inch rims - no bundt cake wheels
- Map/reading light for passenger in overhead
- Telescoping steering wheel (may be on 84, 85 SDs)
- Outside temp guage
- More efficient (fuel wise)
- More lights to warn you when you have a problem (i.e. oil level, coolant level, etc.)

Cons:
- More complex engine, harder to get to things (the ALDA comes to mind).
- Less robust engine which does not suffer abuse well. I.E. the 14 head issue
- EXPENSIVE engine to replace (and have worked on). Lots and lots of 617s to be had.
- Longer body, not quite as responsive handling
- Less ground clearence (sits lower - may be good or bad)
- More complex onboard systems, particulary in the instrument cluster

The SD body is the W126.120. I think the last year for the W126 body with a Diesel in it was 1991 for North America (not sure about the rest of the World) HTHs

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

The 603 is faster and sounds sweet over 4k rpm.

I would agree with the faster but I dunno about the sweet sounds. I'd offer a tie
I am still trying to con my parents into getting a video camera with decent auido capturing....
I have no reasonators so maybe that is it

I was just down in Eugene this weekend and had to hunt for a parking spot. All I know is...the shorter the car the better if you plan on tricky parking and need a nimble car
I ended up plowing down a huge pile of leaves that collected in a parking spot (3-4 feet tall) and called it good

[grimgaunt]

SDL - more crowded engien compartment, a bit more of a hassle to work on, cruises better

D - nimbler, easier to park in a city

SD - By far THE BEST CHOICE

[Hatterasguy]

Well now I have never really had much of a problem parking my SDL. And if anyone has aver been to Southern CT University's parking garage I park in their 3-4 times a week. Now that is tight! But with the tight turning radius and excellent visibility I am able to park without much trouble. I would say 80% of the cars in their are compacts, Civics, Jetta's ect. My SDL is actually better to park than my Camry, that thing turned like a battleship.

Now as to the sound well 617's don't seem to do much over 4k other than make noise. A good running 603 pulls like a train to just shy of 5k. She sure sounds sweet.

Now if you want an even higher spooling diesel go for a 606! A 606 will pull like crazy and if you chip the thing you can have 300ft pounds of torque.

[george_hannah]

I own both and I like them both very much. Replacement parts for the SDL are a little more expensive. The SD is a little easier to work on. I plan to keep boh of them for a long time.

-George