Came across this nice-looking 300sdl in autotrader today. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?&default_sort=priceDESC&dealer_id=4207521&end_year=1991&address=63105&make2=&start_year=1981&fuel=&certified=&keywordsrep=&car_id=215312499&search_type=used&max_mileage=&body_code=0&drive=&min_price=01&distance=200&engine=&transmission=&make=MB&keywordsfyc=&sort_type=yearASC&num_records=&ref=srl&ref=srl&ref=srl&ref=srl&car_year=1986&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=5&max_price=8000&advanced=&model=&color=&ref=srl#vdptop

What is your opinion about the 86 300SDL? Doesn't it have an aluminum head that tends to crack, should I avoid getting this car? Having ABS and an airbag are two nice features for a mercedes diesel.

I heard the engines aren't the best,,, or atleast not what you would expect a mercedes diesel to be.

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Closing the store
Benzbonz.biz on your smart phone or tablet.

It's all dependent on condition. $3K might be a steal..........might be a ripoff.

You need someone knowledgeable in this vehicle to look it over.

Furthermore, it's not a great vehicle to drive locally. It gathers its speed slowly and comes into its own at 70 mph. It has a rather long body and doesn't take kindly to parking lots either.

The engine is quite durable and will go 400K miles provided that you NEVER overheat it and the previous owner NEVER overheated it. That's why it's mandatory to have it inspected by someone knowledgable. If the head is cracked, you're looking at another $4K to have it replaced properly by a shop.

Am I correct in thinking that this is still the 3.0L six instead of the 3.5?

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Correct.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

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

If you can have someone look at the number on the head. A 17 or above, it could be a great deal.

The '86 SDL I bought had a #22 head on it.

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

That's interesting about a #22 Head in an '86 300SDL. I have the #17 Head in my '91 350SDL. I guess I thought that the higher the number the newer the car? Can someone explain how that works? Or perhaps that is not the original head on the '86 referred to above? BTW, I just had the head pulled on mine and as I suspected, a blown head gasket given some symptoms I was observing. I'll report more on that later though.

I'll probably get it inspected first by an MB tech if I buy it. Is there anything else that is problematic with this car besides the head? Is the climate control system improved, vacuum system, etc?

Precisely. The '86 had a #14 or #15 from the factory.

Everything is "problematic".

It's 21 years old.

The tech should find all the areas that have been neglected over the 21 years and then you can put a price on all those items to return the vehicle to proper operating condition.

These usually need $2-$4K worth of work to get everything nearly perfect. Anyone who thinks they can get by with less is purchasing a $10K vehicle with full maintenance records. The PO did all the work for you on such a vehicle.

Yeppers!

The head on my '86 was replaced with the #22. New turbo too. Too bad it has two holes in the block where the #6 con rod went through. But that's where I picked up the car. The #22 head was a nice suprise. That alone is worth what I bought the car for.

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

I bought an '87 300sdl in February of last year. These are some of the things that I have done in the last year and costs. Replaced oil pressure sender and temp sender. Found and repaired oil leak in the turbo drain line. Had transmission rebuilt. Changed delivery valve seals and broken injector line. Just replaced starter. Now fuel thermostat is leaking. Changed all filters. I paid $3200 for the car and have spent close to $2000 on it in the last year. Oh, also changed the glow plugs and the fuse in the glow plug relay. I have done all of the repairs except for rebuilding the tranny. Since I am limited on how much time I have to work on the car, repairs can take a while. I have put about 5000 miles on the car since I have had it. It had the head replaced before I bought it, a new radiator, and a new a/c compressor. Even with all of this, I love this car.

i bought an 86 sdl in june of 2006 for 2500 put 2500 into it and still doesnt have a/c or cruise control but like the previous writer i love this car as i have all my mercedes buy they arent for the faint of heart you wanna just get in and drive ALL THE TIME you need a Tauras

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commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)

Could be a good car, but we can't tell from 3 pics.

As Brian said other than the 21 year old car stuff they are great. But remember at this point its an old car and a hobby.

Also figure it needs another $2k-$3k in work, I know that without even looking at it.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I purchased a 1986 300sdl in June 2005 from its original owner with 79,000 miles on it. Mechanically, it had been very well maintained. Cosmetically, it has issues with the previous owner's propensity for parking by feel. It has numerous dents, dings etc, but the interior and engine compartment and undercarriage are mint.
I paid $3500. Since then I have replaced the starter, the glow plug relay, the oil level sender in the oil pan, windshield wiper blades, upper radiator hose, air filter, oil filter every 5000 miles, air filter, fuel filters, brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, serpentine belt and one headlight surround and both front shocks. Basically these were just routine maintenance items. The key to this purchase was that I knew the previous owner, I knew how he maintained the car, and I had service receipts.
I use Mobil One synthetic oil, Mercedes approved filters, Mercedes coolant, and my replacement parts were OEM.
My head is a NUmber 14.
Most of the repair items were done in the first year of ownership, I now have 92,000 miles on it and it is as reliable as my daughter's 2000 Toyota Camry.
The build quality is excellent, it is a dream to drive daily and that is what I do, drive it daily. This last weekend my daughter and I returned from a college visit to Alabama and it was 620 miles round trip. No a/c was needed, it was all interstate driving at 70mph, and I averaged 28 mpg.
I really enjoy this car, it is safe, it does not have a lot of computerized crap that can go wrong, and it is very solid.
Pre inspection is the way to go on any used car, especially a used Benz.
Good luck, get a pro to put it up in the air and check everything out.
Prepare for at least $1000 to sink in it to make it right if it was a well maintained auto.
Good Luck
John