my new 1984 300 "SDS" Turbodiesel ?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Apotheoun · #1 11-01-2006, 01:21 AM

I am new here, but tonight I just purchased another Mercedes Diesel and traded in the first one (a 240D automatic). I am in love with the "new" one. But I never heard of this model badge before! It is basically a 300 SD Turbodiesel, from 1984.

The only thing is....... The back of this car has shiny, detailed nomenclature reading "300 SDS", followed by "TURBODIESEL" on the right side, as usual for an '84. But what is an SDS? It is not an SDL, but an SD body. What does that extra "S" stand for?

What is unusual about this particular 300 (SD ?) Turbodiesel, is that while it has a regular five cylinder 300 turbodiesel engine, this is coupled with a manual four-speed transmission, and boy, does it fly! For a diesel, it is FAST. How many manual transmissioned SD's or "SDS"s are there in America? Is this a rarity or a one of a kind customization? If it turns out that this is just an aftermarket custom conversion, it was very professionally and seamlessly executed.

At any rate, I do love it! So fun to drive! It is hardly pristine, but very presentable, no rust anywhere but the exhaust, and with a very clean MB-Tex interior. I am just relearning how to use a stick-shift tonight; I am still a little sloppy, and nervous on steep incline starts; but so far, so good.

If anyone can shed some light on the SDS badge, or manny-tranny SD variants, let me know.

Thanks!

pawoSD · #2 11-01-2006, 01:36 AM

It was changed by someone along the way, there was no such thing as a "SDS" or 300SD with manual transmission, they all had 4-speed autos. Very cool that you have a stick shift converted one though! wow!

Apotheoun · #3 11-01-2006, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

It was changed by someone along the way, there was no such thing as a "SDS" or 300SD with manual transmission, they all had 4-speed autos. Very cool that you have a stick shift converted one though! wow!

Perhaps you're right. But it sure looks legitimate. There is nothing about the appearance of the lettering to suggest it has been faked. Someone went to an awful lot of trouble to get that unique detail right! It can't be the only one!

I'll take a picture in the morning (now it is dark and raining hard).

bgkast · #4 11-01-2006, 01:54 AM

Yep, defiantly a conversion. Not too hard to do with factory parts. Enjoy your manual turbo....I know I do.

#5 11-01-2006, 01:58 AM

Mercedes never made a turbodiesel powered passenger car with a manual transmission until the 2001 C30 AMG.

The SDS badge has to be modified by a past owner. There was never an "SDS".

Sounds like a cool car though. I enjoy my manual turbodiesel conversion also. *Please* post pictures.

rg2098 · #6 11-01-2006, 07:20 AM

Is it a european spec vehicle? They had W126's with manuals over there. I'm not sure if they were mated to a turbo version though.

redassag00 · #7 11-01-2006, 08:03 AM

Ah, you have the illusive 300SD Sport, similar to the Type R 300D I bought last year!

Ara T. · #8 11-01-2006, 08:12 AM

The SDS has an upgraded heavy duty clutch which allows you to shift at full throttle without taking your foot off the accelerator with minimal damage to the drivetrain.

DeliveryValve · #9 11-01-2006, 10:39 AM

Just run your VIN number here.

http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

This will give you a description of your car and should tell you the actual model i.e. 300 SD

Also look at the transmission section for identification. If it looks like this example “722303 02 262517” with the first three digits “722” then you should have an automatic. But if you have this example, “716005 00 935181” with the first three digits “716” it should be a four speed manual.

After running it, could you copy and paste you findings so everyone can see.

Richard

Apotheoun · #10 11-01-2006, 12:03 PM

Thanks Everyone!

Richard, guess what? It was formerly an automatic SD.... so what happened; who did this conversion? Your Russian link is fantastic! It's right on the mark!

VIN WDB------------------
Model 300 SD
Chassis 1261201A013094
Engine 617951 12 054536
Transmission 722303 02 415455
Order 0 3 707 31442
Approx. year not defined
Lights BOSCH
Cab 14704
Dealer United States - tourists (707)
Interior mb-tex orion gray (158)
Paint
904 midnight (dark) blue (T) (? 01.01.1968)
58 Unknown code
Options
240 outside temperature indicator (? 01.03.1982)
second spare wheel (? 01.01.1964 ?? 28.02.1973)
410 electric sliding roof (? 01.03.1965 ?? 29.02.1988)
440 bumpers with guards, front and rear (? 01.10.1970 ?? 30.04.1974)
bumper with horn and rubber buffer front and rear (? 01.03.1964 ?? 30.09.1970)
tempomat (cruise control) (? 01.09.1975)
451 revolution counter (? 01.12.1972 ?? 31.10.1993)
tachometer
power brake (? 01.01.1963 ?? 30.09.1963)
windshield (laminated glass) (? 01.01.1964 ?? 31.05.1972)
461 instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (? 01.04.1990)
494 California version
California version (? 01.05.1973 ?? 31.12.1995)
version for USA/California/Canada (? 01.01.1996)
490 + 492 (? 01.12.1966 ?? 30.09.1967)
504 outside rear view mirror, right, electrically adjustable (? 01.11.1978 ?? 29.02.1986)
outside rear view mirror, right, electrically adjustable (l.h.d.)
taxi version, f.r.g, and outside rear view mirror on the right
500 + 503 (? 01.02.1966 ?? 30.06.1968)
501 + 502 (? 01.08.1968 ?? 31.10.1974)
519 Becker radio Grand Prix electronic cassette - USA (? 01.08.1980 ?? 30.11.1990)
Becker radio Grand Prix LW/MW/SW/USW - USA (? 01.01.1963 ?? 29.02.1972)
Becker radio Grand Prix stereo MW/USW - USA (? 01.10.1972 ?? 31.12.1976)
Becker radio Mexico Grand Prix, electronic (USA)
531 automatic antenna (? 01.01.1963)
543 exhaust-pipe cover trim (? 01.01.1963 ?? 28.02.1963)
seat adapter between the front seats, and halogen lamp unit (? 01.01.1967 ?? 31.12.1972)
sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (? 01.11.1978)
551 anti-theft warning system (? 01.11.1978 ?? 31.03.1998)
anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (? 01.04.1998)
steering wheel, ivory-colored (? 01.01.1963 ?? 31.05.1973)
570 folding armrest front w202/210 stowage box front with armrest (? 01.04.1970)
front folding armrest w202 - housing at front with armrest
588 Thermoking air conditioner and electric window lifters (front doors) (? 01.04.1970 ?? 31.12.1972)
automatic climate control and electric window lifters (front and rear doors) (? 01.01.1977)
592 wyellow foglamps (? 01.01.1963 ?? 31.10.1965)
heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), band filter
heat-insulating glass, side window panes (? 01.02.1967 ?? 31.01.1971)
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - tinted strip (? 01.01.1972)
611 courtesy lamps for front and rear doors, with W124 also for central doors/W202 front doors only (? 01.11.1978)
sealed beam lamp unit, l.h. traffic (? 01.01.1966 ?? 28.02.1972)
lamp unit, symmetrical (? 01.01.1962 ?? 28.02.1963)
636 15" tires (? 01.01.1965 ?? 30.04.1970)
elimination of warning triangle (? 01.03.1973)
640 aluminium disc wheels with radial-ply tires (? 01.10.1969 ?? 31.12.1989)
tires with tube (? 01.01.1963 ?? 31.08.1965)
15-hole light alloy rims (? 01.01.1990)
663 tires 255/65 r 16 with chromed light alloy rims (? 01.01.1995)
50 liters of fuel (? 01.01.1964 ?? 30.06.1978)
60 liters of fuel (? 01.07.1978 ?? 30.06.1993)
661 + 662 (? 01.01.1963 ?? 28.02.1963)
673 high-capacity battery (? 01.01.1964)
804 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
820

Dear Ara T., and redassag00, I am in a gullible state at the moment. Are you both sincere? Is there an SD Sport? Is it also true about the upgraded clutch? It's all new to me.

Dear Forced Induction, here are the pictures:

Enjoy! Evidently, the headlamps were updated at some point. Thanks again everyone for all the good feedback!

riethoven · #11 11-01-2006, 12:34 PM

That is a sweet looking ride. I guess the person that did this conversion meant for the second S to mean "Standard Transmission" an option not available at the factory.

He did a good job mocking up that badge.

cjl1973 · #12 11-01-2006, 12:49 PM

I would love to have a manual transmission in my 300SD. A 5 speed would actually be even better. That is a cool car!

Apotheoun · #13 11-01-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjl1973

I would love to have a manual transmission in my 300SD. A 5 speed would actually be even better. That is a cool car!

Thanks Doug and Chris for the compliments! I am not used to receiving any, as my former 240D was such a rust-bucket. This one is decidedly turning heads in my neighborhood, today.

This car makes sounds reminiscent an antique sedan from the thirties, or an old UPS delivery van, with all the clutching and shifting. The engine itself sounds magnificent, as if this were a diesel muscle car revving up! It feels like one! I am starting to get better with smooth use of the clutch. It has been years since I last drove a standard shift.

I don't know if a five speed would really much improve things or not, over the four on the floor it has. The engine has incredible RPM range and is very comfortable with the wide spread of the gear ratios. I engage second at about 20 MPH, third after 30, and fourth is definitely a highway gear, well after 40 MPH. I think the only advantage a five speed would have is to optimize a quiet engine at 25 MPH, and 40 MPH speed zones through city streets. It seems this drive train is optimized for the highway. It's very quiet at 70 in fourth gear.

2.5Turbo · #14 11-01-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riethoven

That is a sweet looking ride. I guess the person that did this conversion meant for the second S to mean "Standard Transmission" an option not available at the factory.

He did a good job mocking up that badge.

I would guess they used a 300SDL badge, cut off the L, and put on an S from a donor badge. At least that's what I would have done.