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-   -   1987 300SDL - 82K Miles - What's it worth? (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/193716-1987-300sdl-82k-miles-whats-worth.html)

Gauge 07-10-2007 06:21 PM

1987 300SDL - 82K Miles - What's it worth?
 
Somehow I have become the resident "car guy" at my firm. I was surprised when a few months back I got a call from our corporate Treasurer with questions about his 300SDL.

He told me the car had a noticable decrease in power, so he took it to the dealer. The dealer found a rag wrapped up in the turbo charger, which they claim ruined the bearing and turbo fins. It was probably left there by the dealership when they did the last tune up of the car, but (of course), the dealership denied responsibility. Regardless, he called me because he wanted to know what a turbo was and how a rag might have ruined it. I told him of my love for Mercedes Diesels and we became friends. The dealership replaced the turbocharger and it cost him $3,500.

Now this week he came to my office and told me the transmission seemed to slip once or twice when it changed gears on his way to work - like it was revving for a few seconds without the car accelerating. I told him to check his transmission fluid and he looked at me with a blank stare.

He loves the car, but he makes well into the 6 digits and he thinks it might be time for a new CDI rather than pour money into his beloved SDL.

He is the original owner. The car has been garage kept since day 1. The back seat has never been sat in. The oil has been changed religiously every 3,000 miles. It has 82,000 miles, and most were on the New Jersey Turnpike. It's smoke silver with tan leather interior. I have seen the car and it's about a 9.5 out of a 10. Absolutely no rust. Paint and interior are immaculate. Truly a spotless car, much bigger than the Mercedes diesels I am used to. He gets a consistent 27MPG, but has told me on occassion he gets into the low 30's if he drives less agressive.

He ofered to sell it to me since he feels I am "much more capable of maintaining it than he is". He told me he thought it was worth at least $6K, but told me to make him a fair offer.

I have no experience with the 300SDL's. I popped the hood and was surprised to find a 3.0L in-line 6 cylinder, (yes six) turbo diesel. I was expecting the 5 cylinder turbo diesel. This engine has an aluminum head instead of a cast iron head.

What do you think this car is worth?

holthoff 07-10-2007 06:42 PM

That car well-represented on eBay would easily get $6000, probably more like $8500 or $9000. If you really want it, I'd suggest making him a close offer, like $5500. That way, you get a good deal, and he doesn't feel ripped off.

Hatterasguy 07-10-2007 07:25 PM

HOLY CRAP!!! Hurry up and cut him a $6k check!!!!:eek::D

That cars probably worth about $12k, maybe a bit more if you ebay it. There was one on awhile back with half those miles and they were asking about $30k. Got a lot of offers in the low $20k range...

I would have whipped open the check book so fast it would have been smoking.:D

DslBnz 07-10-2007 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy (Post 1559902)
HOLY CRAP!!! Hurry up and cut him a $6k check!!!!:eek::D

That cars probably worth about $12k, maybe a bit more if you ebay it. There was one on awhile back with half those miles and they were asking about $30k. Got a lot of offers in the low $20k range...

I would have whipped open the check book so fast it would have been smoking.:D

SHHHH----UT-!!

I, mean.... uh

Nah, its a 20 year old car. Offer 5K, take it or leave it. These things have aluminum heads that crack on a regular basis, lifters that never stay quiet. But they also get really poor fuel economy for a diesel. Stay clear away from these things.

And,...Ignore my signature. I know not what I do.

...BTW, what was his phone #?

Hatterasguy 07-10-2007 07:36 PM

Yeah its a total POS, you don't want it. Whats the best way for me to contact him?:D

POS 07-10-2007 07:36 PM

I agree - offer him $5500. It's worth a few grand more, but you still need to fix the tranny.

lietuviai 07-10-2007 09:44 PM

Slipping tranny at only 82K? Maybe a slipping odometer too?

Gauge 07-10-2007 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai (Post 1560030)
Slipping tranny at only 82K? Maybe a slipping odometer too?

Not a chance. This guy is a real straight shooter and he owns 5 cars, (Corvette, BMW, etc..) so I know for a fact that he doesn't drive it much and the miles are correct.

2 thoughts cross my mind, either:

1. Mercedes used a transmission built for the 5 cyl. benz, (the D) and stuck it in the 6 cyl Benz, (the SDL) and the transmission cannot handle the increased torque rendering it prone to premature failure. Someone on this board should be able to confirm this.

or

2. He suffers from an affliction I see common in people who know little about cars after something major breaks and that is the "I wonder what is going to break next syndrome". Suddenly squeaks and rattles that were common suddenly seem like a major failure waiting to happen.

I wish I knew more about the SDL's

Gauge 07-10-2007 10:52 PM

With so few miles and good maintenence, is it possible that the transmission problem could be vacuum related? Maybe a module that controls the transmission?

I'm thinking out loud....

Hatterasguy 07-10-2007 11:43 PM

The same trans that was used in the SDL's was also used in the 300hp euro 560SEL/C's. So its not stressed in the least. The entire driveline for that matter.

The fluid is probably low, or there is a vacuum leak. Change the fluid, adjust the shifting, check for vac leaks and its all set.

WINGAS 07-11-2007 08:46 AM

Buy it. Bought a 1995 with 220K on the clock running the Jersey turnpike and Rt.95. Thing is still mint.

Check on "rodbender" threads. This big six has a nasty habit of eating rods.

barry123400 07-11-2007 09:00 AM

This model does not have the 3.5 litre diesel with the notorious bending rods. In fact the lower block is seldom a problem on that 3 litre engine.
At worst the transmission might need some work. Fortunatly for you one of the better mercedes transmission places is in new jersey. The transmission might be something minor but one should never count on it. If problem is minor just a bonus in my opinion. He will likely bite on 5k or 5.5k as others have suggested.
I think you should buy although in general I would not put this car through your winters. Save it for spring/summer and fall usage. If you should decide you do not want it I have always wanted a good example of one of these. Drop me a peronal message if it turns out that way. .

Eskimo 07-11-2007 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WINGAS (Post 1560245)
Buy it. Bought a 1995 with 220K on the clock running the Jersey turnpike and Rt.95. Thing is still mint.

Check on "rodbender" threads. This big six has a nasty habit of eating rods.

The opening post is about a 1987 300SDL - 3.0 liter displacement - feared by some due to the potential for cracking the cylinder head, especially if overheated.

It's the 3.5 liter engine that has such a reputation as a "rodbender".

captainmonk 07-11-2007 09:15 AM

buy and buy it now finest car i have ever owned I think i broke 409000 yesterday

It is the 350SDL that is the problem not the 86-87

Eskimo 07-11-2007 10:14 AM

BTW, my mention of cracked heads on the 3.0 liter engines was NOT meant to discourage purchase of the car.

Count me among the many here who would LOVE to find an immaculate, all-original, low-miles 300SDL for the right price. I'd be all over that!


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