I really want an SDL. Please post your opinions on which is the best including year and why, or why to stay away from a particular year or number.
I'm not on an active search at the moment, but it would be a big purchase and I'd like input if any would spare the time. By the way, I'm keeping the 300TD.

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85' 300D No inspection, No registration fees, Cheap insurance
"If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious %$&^."

The absolutely best SDL is the 87 in my driveway

There's not much difference between the 86 and 87 300SDL nor between the 90 and 91 300SDL. Between the 300 and 350 you pretty much choose your version of Russian roulette. The 300s are subject to cylinder head cracks while the 350s are subject to bending connecting rods. The cost of replacing a 300 cylinder head (with a 350 cylinder head essentially) is a lot less than replacing a 350 block (whether you go with a remanufactured block or a 300 block). You're looking at $3,000 vs $8,000 or somewhere in those neighborhoods. The incidence rates are probably pretty low all things considered (things like Chrysler transmission failures for example). You'll see a lot of posts on those topics because that's all folks here talk about, probably refering to the same dozen cars

In general it's easier to tell that a 300 has head cracks than to tell that 350 has a bent rod. They're both irreversible situations when failure sets in and they'll both eventually leave you with an expensive Arakansas lawn ornament. It is believed that you can prevent 300 head cracks by not allowing the engine to overheat, but how do you know the history of a used car? I've read that you can avoid bent connecting rods by disabling the EGR system of a 350 but I don't think there's anything like a consensus on that idea. Again, who knows what the car was subject to in the past.

The 350 being a little newer has a few more features and options like passenger side airbag and a better stereo system. Hmm... maybe there's not more than that. I haven't had much seat time in a 350 but I understand they get up and go with more purpose than a 300. The 300 on the other hand revs higher and probably gets to the outer limits more quickly... or only feels that way.

I can replace a cylinder but I can't replace a block. At least not with my financea and sloped driveway. I wouldn't take a chance with a 350 since a 300 is more than competent if not on par with the 350.

I think Dr. Booth's advice applies to this decision - find the car in the best possible condition and with the most complete and accurate service history documented.

Any reason you're not considering a 92-95 300SD/S350? I'd gladly accept the risk of a 350 engine for the benefit of a W140 body.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL