Please give me your opinion about this model S 350 TD years 1995/1996.

Fuel consumption?

Main Problems?

Cost of maintenance?

reliable?

Good Buy?


Best Regards

The car itself is fine, the engine makes a fine boat anchor though.

Don't buy a deisel W140, buy an S320 its better all around. Well unless you can get your hands on one of those S300TD's that MB never imported! Now thats the model to own!

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Search "300SDL" on the forum for info. Motor had head problems. Numerous heads repalced by MB in the US.

I think everyone on the diesel forum agrees that the OM606 in the S300TD you posted about earlier is a better motor in a desirable and reliable body. It was never sold here.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

The later 603's never had head problems. They had the quite durable 17 or newer heads.

They did have problems with rods bending though, hence the boat anchor comment.

The S350D and S300TD are the same car, W140. Just one has a very good driveline, the other does not.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I guess there are good ones and bad ones. I have a '95 S350 purchased new and it now has over 318,000 miles on the original engine. To answer your questions:

1. 1995 was the last year they were imported into the US.

2. I average 24 mpg. Ranges up to 28 mpg under good conditions (cool temps, 60-65 mph)

3. Usual W140 issues: Make sure all doors and trunk operate properly, rear view mirror tight, wipers work properly, etc, etc. Do a full throttle run up to at least 85 mph and listen.

4. Cost of maintenance can be very, very high on a car that has not been maintained perfectly.

5. I would go across the US in mine without hestiation.

6. They are going for around $15-18k. Pretty cheap for a $65000 car new. But heed #3 above

Remember it is a 11 year old car. Most people are not perfectionist.

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1995 S-350
370K + SOLD
1952 220B Cabriolet
39K kilometers + SOLD
1998 E300D
310K +
2012 E350 BlueTec
120K

oldsouth, can I trouble you to share the 12th and 13th digits of your VIN?

Thanks,
Sixto
93 300SD

I have had my '93 since it had 64,000 miles on it.
At 102k miles, I bent the connecting rod in the #1 cylinder.

As part of the rebuild, I replaced the head with a new MB
head. The design of the head (in front of the #1 cylinder)
is different than the original. I had to replace all the
connecting rods as a set.

I now have over 267,000 on it and it is great. It shows no
sign of slowing down either.

As someone stated, you do have to keep up with the
maintenance. I switched to synthetic oil at 184,000.

Replacing the a/c evaporator is a big ticket item.

I just recently had the upper control arms replaced and the
lower control arm bushings at 265,000 miles but I
consider that basic maintenance at this point.

I have Bilsteins (my second set). So, now, Bilstein picks
up the tab for new ones (about 130k miles per).

One thing to check for....engine compartment wiring
harness! I changed mine at 250,000 or so miles. It had
a crack about every 1/8 inch.

I also had the car checked for rust and had it repaired
(at the trunk lock inside) and the lower fender area
behind the front wheels (not always visible).

I make a point of using MB original parts and I don't
do things like trying to bypass the egr valve or play with
the boost on the turbo. I try to keep it to factory spec.

__________________
Ralph Burnette
1993 300SD (286k + miles)
2000 SL500
2001 ML320

I'd still like to see somebody give one the Finn treatment and see how much that extra .5L can return.