It is sort of like choosing a lady... Do you want something that drives noticeably better, looks better, yet costs more and may have some expensive maintenance issues? Buy the sdl. If you want that trusted friend, the one that, hot or cold, thick or thin, poorer or for rich will be there and chomping at the bit to perform religiously for you? Buy the sd. Should you be he of regal notion, as with the girls, own both...

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64 European Coupe Brilliant Silver with Red interior 4 Speed Sunroof
87 TDT 286k
87 SDL 195k
83 SD 202k
83 SD 201k
83 D 286k
02 R1150RT 32K
00 122HP FLSTF
07 KTM 250SX

"Danger takes many forms"

the 603s are a lot more needy in terms of maintenance. tricky to get right and easy to get off the right track.

the 617 once set up properly will run and run and run with nothing but filters and the occasional valve adjustment.

the extra power of the 603 is not worth the trouble in my experience.

but in every other department the 603 engined cars are superior: ride performance and overall quality of the interior.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

i hit a deer the other day but the car is fixable so the sdl would be an addition to the fleet. i'm sure it wouldn't overheat on my watch but i know how other people can be, shall i say lax, about paying attention. "honey, what is that smell coming from the car for the last 8 months?" oops
anywho, i might be looking at one this weekend and i will post what i find if i do. thanks for the input, one and all!
regards,
gregg

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0o==o0

James 4:8

"...let us put aside the blindness of mind of those who can conceive of nothing higher than what is known through the senses"
-Saint Gregory Palamas, ---Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ


Centrally located in North East Central Pa.

goodluck on your search for an SDL!

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Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

The SD is a far better around town car. The 617 is happy to drive half a mile, shut down start up without a glow, and do this all day without protest. The 603 hates this and will protest with smoke, rough idle, and poor starting. Also off the line and below 2,500rpm the 617 pulls pretty good, almost as good as a tuned 603, you only notice the difference in power above about 2,500.

Around town the SWB W126 is much more nimble and throwable than the LWB W126. Again LWB cars are not made for tight down town work. If you do a lot of short trip around tow driving the 300SD is most certainly the better car.

On the highway and open road its no contest, the late LWB W126 with the 603 is leaps and bounds better. The 617 starts to make a lot of noise and spin pretty quick at 80mph, this is a relaxed and fast cruise with the 603. The power difference is really noticable, over 60mph a 617 just cannot touch a 603, no contest.

It all depends on what you want, I like the later W126 better you get more features, ABS, slightly better brakes, more storage room on the interior ect.

They are different cars, but the SDL is a lot faster and now that I have been driving the SD for a bit I miss the extra power. (My SDL is slightly quicker than stock... )

As to power about 100-103ish is all I have been able to get out of the 82, indicated on a GPS. Seems to run out of RPM, dog over 80 though no M119 thats for sure. SDL is good for about 118ish, above about 105 its a dog, too.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200