May be looking at a '91 350SDL
 

I came across a 350SDL with 218K and they're asking 6950 for it. I know the model has a reputation of being a rod bender and having bad heads. From all the photos I've seen it's in great shape. The owner said it doesn't burn any oil and has no blowby. I'm leary of the 603 engine but it seems like a good price for the car for the condition its supposed to be in. I've heard the bad heads have a casting number 14. Is the 14 part of the head part number? I had the owner get the number and it was P603 016 17 01.
What do you guys think?

It has the updated #17 head, so, you are probably OK in that regard.

You already know the deal with the rods. There is no way to know if that specific engine will ever bend a rod, or whether it will go to 500K with no issues.

If it bends a rod, you are looking at between $6K and $8K to fix it.

350s came with the -17- head.

If a PPI including compression and leak-down tests checks out, go for it. Rod problems usually occur well before 218K miles.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

That's something I would hope it would never do and is the only thing that scares me about the car. Let's say if it did, I would drop a 617 in it.
How's the price sound?
The owner is aware that his model has the reputation of being a rod bender but it isn't the reason why he's selling it.
Is this model OK for running WVO?

Should do fine with WVO.

Price seems reasonable but price varies widely by region. A running 350SDL with cold AC in this area would be on craigslist for 15 minutes.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

I don't think you would be happy with a 617 in it. Plus, it's not really setup for that. I believe that you would need to swap the trans as well.

If the worst happened, you could seek out a 3L 603 from the '86-'87 SDL. You would transfer your existing head to the older engine. The cost would be not more than $2K.

The price seems about right for a vehicle with the mileage as indicated. With fewer miles, they typically run well above $10K.

lietuvai, Most likely if this car was gong to bend the rods it would have done so already, well before this mileage. I guarentee you'll love the 603 over the 617. Just about everyone else who's made the jump agrees.

Thanks
David

You guys worry to much, if the car is in good shape buy it and enjoy. The 603 even the 3.5 is a fine engine.

sorry
 

i missed the price.

tom w

Tom, it's $6950.

well
 

thanks brian. of course now i see it.

i have a 90 350sdl. mine was bought with a lot of problems with the engine. we are sorting through them. what a sweet ride when it is running. i hesitate to recommend buying one. the engine seems too problematic. if you do buy it i recommend taking off the cross over pipe and cleaning it out. it typically fills with "tar". has this one had work done on the engine, and the head? it seems like ones that have had a lot of highway miles fare better than the ones driven in the city alot... like mine.

i dont know what to say about the price.

tom w

walgamuth, Come the 20th I'll be going to school right by you. I'm going to Wabash College. Just now noticed your location, anyways, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Thanks
David

I would buy it. $7K is not a bad price for the 350. I also concur with others posting replies about dropping in the 617 engine. Don't even bother. Everyone talks about how reliable that engine is and how nothing compares to it for reliability. I used to subscribe to that - until I realized that it's all relative. My dad has a '91 300E with 290,000 miles on it and the engine runs like a champ. My 300 SDL has 222,000 miles. My point being that the non-617 engines will also last forever. There may be be more repair issues, but how many other vehicles last that long? I would never go back to a 617 engine. It's just too nice have a more powerful, quiet and refined engine.

It sounds like the rest of the car is in good condition. If the interior is in good shape, any $$ you would spend restoring that could be saved for the (unlikely) event of engine trouble. I am very partial to the interiors in the 1989+ 126s. I like the folded leather on the door panels and the seats are a quantum leap in comfort and appearance. They look like a much more modern vehicle - not a 70s throwback. I am actually converting my interior to match the later 126s.

A last item. That car very likely has a passenger side airbag. I wish I could provide that protection to my wife when she rides in the car. I love my car, but if I could do it over, I would have bought a 350 SDL, problems notwithstanding.

ccooper, you said it just as I would have...

Thanks
David

P.S.
I'm still wrestling trying to get that wiring harness out of the junked 500. I have 2.5 weeks till I move away to college and I wanted this done before that. I may put it off though till next year when I'll see the car again.

Sounds like it'd be worthwhile. I'll see if I can take a look at it this weekend.
Thanks guys!