I have looked at two 300sd, both supposedly low mileage approx 120,000. One problem I have seen on both are that the drivers side door handle (door latch release)is a floppy and loose. Is this a common problem? What kind of fix, easy or hard?
One more question. For some reason, probably something I read in a forum, I am only looking at 81 - 83 300sd's. I believe because I was told that the cars were no longer hand built after 1983. Is this right? Or is it reasonable to say that all 5 cylinder 300 sd's are equal.
thanks...phal

Are you refering to the interior handle or the exterior handle. If the interior handle, they do break sometimes. They are made of cast aluminum I think. Maybe not, but they are easy and cheep to replace w/ a junkyard donor. If the exterior handle, then I don't know. no experiance w/ that.

I don't know about your second Q.

I assume you are talking about the Inside Door handle. If so this is a common problem and one that I had on my SDL when I purchased it. The fix is to buy a new door handle assembly which is not too expensive. Installation takes a bit of fiddling but is not that difficult.

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1991 M-B 560SEL Arctic White/Grey 99,000 Miles
1987 M-B 300SDL Ivory/Palomino 229,000 Miles (sold but never forgotten)
2006 Volvo XC70 Blue/Beige
1999 Porsche Boxster Arena Red/Savanna Beige
1986 Porsche 928S Goldweiss/Brown

Yes, I am talking about the interior handle. Is this any indication of mileage?
Or do they break on low mileage vehicles also. Thanks...phal

Zero indication of mileage. The slopy handle is only an indication of a broken hadle.

When you get a replacement, be sure to get one for the appropriate side. They do come in left hand and right hand versions.

Just a side note. Evrytime I make a J-yard trip I always grab extra stuff like interior door handles just to have on hand. The only time one of ours broke, it was the back door on the drivers side. The place w/ my 3 y.o. daughter sits. I took it out and put the door back together w/ no handle for a few days. Needless to say, she didn't like riding around in a 'police car'.

Thanks Guys.....phal