no actually, 4 cyl in 240D, 5 cyl in the 123 and 126(SD) up to 1985. the 6 cyl was in the 126(SDL) in 86,87 and 87 300D and I'm not sure what else. Oh, and the SD is better.

__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

The L stand for Long.
I think there is 6" more legroom in the back seat?

__________________
'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

I have also noted this, you can observe the oil in a 603 a month after an oil change and its stll clearish, thin, you know not all thick and loaded with carbon like with the 617's are after a few hundred miles. I think the piston rings were improved in the 603. anyone know for sure?

__________________
'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

So this is an interior layout change not a wheel base change

I’ve noticed that my back seat has less legroom then my Toyota wagon does...

I think the wheelbase is the same but the body might be extended too?

__________________
'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

The SD is the best of course!! They can run better on wvo then the 6cyl but if your not a wvo user well still get the SD

the 5cyl are bullet-proof and the 6cyl can be just as reliable if they are better taken care of. But you can abuse the 5cyl and it wont break as easily as the 6cyl.

But ive compared them both when i was shopping for my first car but my choice in the end was the 5cyl for its bullet proof reliability,failry easy maintinence, cheap and easy to find parts, and the fact that it is easier to run on wvo.

SD.
Nuff said.

__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

The L stands for the long wheel base in the world of the S class. So an SDL would be a long wheel base S class diesel. There are 6 extra inch's added to the wheel base and you know it. The SDL isn't the best city/parking garage car.

Their were a lot of updates to the W126 from 85-86.

A W126 is a W126 it doesn't matter whether you are talking about a 560SEC or a 300SD. They are all pretty simple to work on and user friendly.

The SD's make a sweet around town car, 617's don't need to be glowed as long and can be started up driven a mile and shut down. They don't seem to mind around town service, like the 603's do.

After have owned and worked on both for awhile personaly the SD isn't a bad car but if I were looking for another W126 I would prefer one with a 603.

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

You've been sniffing too many diesel fumes.
The 603 is a PITA to work on compared to the 617. You've changed the glow plugs haven't you?
The only thing I'll admit is easier to do is an oil change on the 603. You can remove the pipe from the oil filter cover unlike the 617 where the pipe is part of the cover.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Yeah I have changed the glow plugs on a 617, 603, and 606. The 617 is pretty simple except for that last one in the back. But so what? That is one minor thing that you almost never have to do. I am not going to buy a car simpley because the glow plugs are some what faster to change.


Besides pulling the manifold on a 603 is so over hyped. It is childs play and only takes about half an hour if you take your time.

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

The ride and feel of a SDL is amazing, there's sooo much rear legroom , but for me I'd rather have the awesome 617 engine and SD....but I am biased.

What would be awesome is an SDL with a 617 "adjusted" to give an extra 40-50hp or so. I really like the 603 engine's sound and power, I just don't like the idea of having to maintain or repair one.....plus, 617 still sounds cooler.......

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

SDL is longer ("L" for Lang or Long) by about 6", all of it for rear passenger legroom. Look carefully at the rear doors and windows.

long live the 617... the best...

Extra rear leg room? Rear seats are for the children.

I just like the look of a 617. It's the last one with the classic appearance. Not that that really matters.

__________________
PagodaLOVER
1967 230SL, manual
1959 180D, manual

I have never driven a car that has given me such an emotional roller coaster than the SDL. Some days it can be as quick as chirping the tires on takeoff, others it struggles to gain speed. Good days, bad days.

With my 300SD, there were no massive power fluctuations between tanks and driving habits. Same performance everyday, all day, anyway.

If I'm not flogging the living crud out of my SDL 95% of the time, it yields miserable mileage and sluggish acceleration.

I suppose it keeps me interested in the car. One day I am thinking how slow it seems. I could be passed by a 4-cylinder accord or minivan. The next, "is this the same car, or did someone slip an M119 in there?". Fortunately, it is usually peppy. A good stomp frees things up for awhile, if it becomes sluggish.

How can I keep the 603 from being so blasted sporadic in behavior? It doesn't like full tanks. Needs to "break in" the fuel for 10 miles(?). I can flog it on the highway barreling into traffic in 3rd gear, get off at my exit, and feel like I've lost significant boost upon takeoff and topend. Depending on if I'm lucky, or not it might retain it's wheel chirping performance.

Oh, and Power Service DK is a must. This particular diesel DEMANDS it for every tank. Without it, it would not have much top end power. The PS additive not only increases oomph off the line, but power is significantly better throughout the engine speed range.

The 617 seems to run better on junk fuel. The 603 is a fussy devil, that is almost unbearable to live with.
I will own a 617 powered vehicle, once again, in the future.

__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)