But the point is: was there a substantive change in 1995? Did they fix the rod bending problem. If not, then he is lying....

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1974 240D, 125K mi, B100 now, SOLD
1980 300TD, 115K mi, 4-speed stick, roll-up windows, greasecar with two tank conversion (daily driver)
1985 300D, 220K miles, greasecar with two tank conversion, SOLD
1993 300D 2.5turbo, 158K miles, green/tan, B20-B50

I have not seen this on official MB letterhead but presumably upgraded rods were installed as original equipment in W140 Diesels from VIN 260000. From the few I've seen, these cars have manufacturing dates of June 95 and later or thereabouts. This eBay seller says his is a March car. I heard the VIN is definitive, not the manufacturing date.

Short of buying one to take apart, I can't confirm the upgraded rods. On the other hand I haven't heard of a late production car having oil consumption problems or a replacement engine.

Sixto
87 300D

EPC says that car came with engine 016050. EPC also says there was a connecting rod part number break between engines 013643 and 013644. Does that mean the stars are aligned?

Sixto
87 300D

Sucks to be the person who got number 013643

Well here is my theory on the rod bending. My guess is that MBZ stroked the crank to get the extra half a liter in the 603 series engines. I have seen similar occurances in chevy V8's when a 383 stroker motor is built up. They use a 350 block and a 400 crankshaft. The extra displacement is achieved from the longer throw of the piston, also higher compression ratio. They make nice power but normally dont last long. I have seen many damaged rods and even sheared crankshafts from this practice.

As far as buying the vehicle is concerned even if it does give up just the cylinder head alone should bring in a nice peice of change on ebay if it is in good shape.

Eddie E.

87 300 SDL- 305K and looking for more

I contacted the seller today and asked him how he can be so sure that this car has the updated rods. He said all cars built after 8/94 have them. I don't know about that.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

If I can find the receipt, I will scan it and post it here in this thread.

My replacement 3.5 liter engine was manufactured in July of 1995. It failed after ~200K miles. And there was a bit of oil in #1, too. Along with a piston in shards.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)