What are the differences between the 300D 300SD and 300SDL? Have been looking but are not alot around here to compare. When did they stop making the 300SDL and what would be a good year for a 300. As you can tell I'm new to the MB scene (have mostly had Fords but now I think it's time for a change). Have lots of questions and am looking for the right car.

BenQ
in Lancaster PA

Is that ever an open ended question. I'll start with:

77-81 300D - W123 body style, 5 cyl normally aspirated
82-85 300D - W123 body style, 5 cyl turbocharged
87 300D - W124 body style, 6 cyl turbocharged
90-93 300D 2.5 - W124 body style, 5 cyl turbocharged
95 E300 - W124 body style, 6 cyl normally aspirated
78-80 300SD - W116 body style, 5 cyl turbocharged
81-85 300SD - W126 body style, 5 cyl turbocharged
86-87 300SDL - W126 body style, 6 cyl turbocharged

There are W114 body style 300Ds and W210 body style E300s which I left out. There are coupes and wagons which I left out. Also the non US-spec models I left out.

Why don't you ask some questions or provide some requirements? What matters to you as a basis of comparison?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Ben, welcome first of all. I used to own a Ford as well, but I am never going back. I have crossed over to the Benz Zone and I am not coming back.

Joking aside, the differences between those models? where to begin. Ok here is a lesson in model numbers/chassis numbers. First the 300D. This model designation was used from I think 1976 to 1999. However, that was in name only. In those years there were 3 different body styles (chassis). This is a mid size sedan. The 300 meant it had a 3.0 liter engine. The D obviously stood for Diesel. OK, onto "SD". This would be the same engine, but in the big body car (chassis #'s 116,126, and 140). The 300SD model designation was used from 1978 to 1999, I believe. Lastly the "SDL". From 1981-1990 Mercedes-Benz's big car was the 126 chassis, with various engine sizes which determined it's model number. They also made a "stretch" (4 inches)version of this car and added an L (long) to the name. When they came out with the L which I believe was 1986, MB had a new more powerful diesel engine, a 6 cyl turbo diesel, that was still 3.0 liters, so the 300 name continued. Previous 300s had 3.0 liter 5 cyl. engines.
Confused yet?
You asked when did they stop making the 300SDL? They only sold it in the U.S. for 2 model years, 1986 and 1987. Good luck finding one. We own an even rarer car a 1987 300TD. This is that same 3.0, 6 cyl engine, but in a smaller body, the 124 chassis and it's a wagon. 1987 was only year MB sold this engine in that body. The engine produces 201 ft lbs of torque as low as 1800 rpms.
What are your plans for the car? Do you turn your own wrenches? Do you have metric tools, you'll need them.
If you are looking for a flat out bulletproof engine, go for the 1982-1985 300D (or TD wagon) Turbo Diesel. My '83 300TD has 210,000 miles. My father in VA has the sedan verson, a 1985 300D Turbo Diesel with 356,000 miles. Engine is original, never opened up, nor has the transmission. Just change the oil every 3K, adjust the valves every 15K and that is it, period, over and out.
Learning anything yet?
I have owned a MB diesel since 2000, as I said at the beginning, there is no going back. When my daughter is old enough to drive, she will get my '83. Which by that the time the car will be 25 yrs old, but I guarantee you she will still be running. Also at that time "daddy" gets to buy a new toy, perhaps a R107 SL. That would be a whole other chapter in chassis/model desginations.
Hope all this rambling has answered some questions. If you have any more, please ask.
This forum is where I learned the most about MB, from.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

That's right. I forgot the 92-93 300SD - W140 body style, 6 cyl turbocharged. But it has a 3.5l engine. Correctly badged in 94-95 as the S350.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

We looked at what I was told was an 85 300sdl. it was long. Wife liked it too. But it sold. I guess needed to know if the sd was longer than the sdl. You've helped on that one. thanks.
Yes...I'm a mechanic by trade and do most the diagnostics at work,almost all north american. Am taking heat at work for looking for an MB but I believe it's the way to go. We're not interested in the little benz. As for the Diesel there is a local guy that does the convertion to run peanut oil as fuel. So I'm looking into that as well.
BenQ
87Taraus
88Areostar
72mustang

I've got both of them and they are very similar in the W126 body. The SDL was only produced in the years '86 and '87 and then again in '90 and '91 (W126 body). The SD was produced in '81-'85 in this body.

The SDL is 5.5 inches longer than the SD and all of the additional length is in found in rear legroom.

There's also a 91 350SD to go with the 90-91 350SDL.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Yep, I always forget about that one.

The 300SDL was produced only in 1986 and 1987. What they produced in '90 and '91 were the 350SD and 350SDL with a different 3.5L engine. Then, the "L" actually corresponds to 6 inches of rear seat legroom.

__________________
1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver

This is my opinion. It is free so take it fer what its worth.

If you plan on experimenting with alternative fuels I think you should go with an '81-'85 300SD full size car or the just-larger-than midsize-car, an '82-'85 300D. I say this since they were produced in the greatest numbers with an absolutely huge reserve of parts cars out there in case you ever need spares. The five cylinder, all cast iron turbocharged engines are considered bulletproof and are not finicky about alternative fuels. The 300SD is what I have and it has a nice ride with plenty of wheelbase and suspension travel. It also has more sound deadening than the 300D and tends to get slightly more mpg. It is not the long wheelbase SDL (long wheelbase is noted by an "L" in the S-Class cars) but it has plenty of room in back and will turn faster than the SDL. Did I mention parts availability?

Thee 603 engine cars after 1985 produce more power and are smoother but are far rarer and so finding used parts for the engines is harder. The six cylinder three liter has to be watched for cooling system breaches since the head is aluminum and early heads with a 14 in the head cating number were know to warp easily if overheated. My SD on the other hand has had the engine-driven cooling fan removed since last Texas August with no danger of overheating at all. (I am doing this without A/C as an experiment.) It never gets warm unless I'm stuck in traffic. You probably couldn't do this with the six cylinder.

The '90's model 300SD, SDL, 350SD, SDL's had a 3.5L engine that should be avoided according to most accounts here.

The '90-'93 300D 2.5 Turbo E-Class car seems to be a good size with good reliability, mileage, and resale value. 1995 E-Class E300D is a rare but nice non-turbo six clinder three liter car that loves to go 80 plus mph in an attractive body. The E300D from '96-'97 is non turbo and the '98-'99 is fast but in high demand and fetches from $14-$20K for a good one. They all have cracked dashes or will have cracked dashes. Crazy. My '82 SD has a cracked dash too but its 23 years old.

I bought my car for $700 in August, 2004. It was pretty rough. Since then I have spent $3000 in parts to make it liveable. I am a parts dealer for VW's so I get parts cheap. You do the math. Try to buy a car with the least amount of needed fixes as they add up quickly and can be overwhelming.

I did a thread a month or two ago about swapping a 2.47 rear end from a gas powered 126 body car to my 126 300SD that came with a 3.07 diff. I lowered my cruising engine speed by around 700rpms with no loss in performance and a small increase in mileage (1-2mpg). The car is 100x better/quieter than with the 3.07 diff. The parts with complete axles and good boots was $300 for the rear end, $23, shipped for a 380SEL speedo (complete Ebay cluster), and around $40 for the new flex disk and gear oil.

I have also put in a front mount intercooler (given to me), different intake manifold ($55, shipped), and a fresh, tight turbo I bought for $100. I am researching fuelling mods to go with the cooler air I am now feeding my engine. I think there is potential for the cast iron five cylinder to make '98-'99 E300D power for a lot less money. I also won't have to worry about breaking the engine like I would if I was running the six cylinder. If it breaks, which it won't, I will throw it away and buy another engine for $500. Easy. I even bought a 300TD wagon for a parts car for $200 with a bad motor and good tranny. If you have the room, a parts car makes a lotta sense.

One last thing. If you like incessant little projects, these cars will provide them for sure. If you want to buy and drive without having to mess with it then it is my opinion that you should reconsider buying an older Benz. Personally, I like to tinker and improve things so my SD is my hobby car but I wouldn't think that just anyone would want to do all of the things necessary to make an older car work right.

Jim
1982 300SD

Nice compendium.

Actually, these heads develop cracks from overheating.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Ben, Sixto answered the models and years for you. My question to you is, what are you looking for in the car? Are you looking for length and superior quality in the MB? If you want a Higher Standard and big car, go for the '86 300SDL, with the #18 head...the #14 have tendencies to crack, because of a defect. Same as with the '87 300SDL. The 603 engine is a grea engine in this car. I have no complaints whatsoever. Just be aware of the "Heads" in this particular model. I owned a '86 300SDL and it was a great car.
Or are you looking for something more simplistic and a good alround car? I think the next one that I buy will be an '84 or '85 300SD, because there more, "user friendly" engines. The 617 is just as reliable as the 603 and the repair and parts don't seem to be as costly. You'll have to adjust the valves about every 35k, but it's not that hard to do.
Some would say the basic model is the 300D Turbo Diesel is a good car and a very popular car, you see alot of these cars on the road today, but unlike the SD and SDL it's on a smaller frame. Year models '77-'85 on a 123 chasis. The '77-'80 SD's are on a 116 chasis, and the '81-'85 on a 126 chasis. The SDL was on a 126 chasis as well. Acutally, I'd stay away from the '90 models SD's and SDL's, there track records aren't that great,unless they have all the upgrades and records to show for it.
Speaking of records it'd be great when looking for a older MB to have all the R&M records at least from the time the car was purchase. It'd be really helpful. It would give you all the history of the car and you'd feel as if you new it from the time it was purchased.

Don't overlook the 240D's.

There is a good case to be made that a normally aspirated 240D with a manual transmission is one of the most durable cars ever made.

- Patrick

__________________
1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6

1995 S350D, what a great package. Nothing is like a nice W140.

I would kill for a turbo charged 606 in a W140, to bad MB didn't bring them over here.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200