300sd for first benz? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MaydayMike · #1 09-18-2007, 08:51 AM

I've been looking at w123 diesels for a little while, to use as a daily driver. How much more trouble are the 81-85 sd's? Aside from power seats, is it really different than a 123 300d mechanicly? how about room under the hood? I'd imagine that it is a little more refined to drive. It looks like the prices are similar to 123 cars in similar condition. Are they rust prone? Should'nt be much of an issue in a southern car.

#2 09-18-2007, 08:59 AM

The drivetrain is basically the same but the body is very different.

I thought about an SD for awhile but it is really too big for my needs.

TX76513 · #3 09-18-2007, 09:07 AM

Styling and size are probably the big differences. Maintenance is going to be pretty close there are some creature comforts that set the two apart. My preferences have been twards the 126 styling and just understanding one model range (or trying). If you feel your heart needs an SD contact me.

toomany MBZ · #4 09-18-2007, 10:06 AM

I routinely drive both, the SD has a better ride, yet inferior interior. These are different chassis's, front ends are different, there is more room under hood in some areas. The SD is a large vehicle as Forced... mentioned. I get 30 mpg with the SD, I drive to get this mileage, tho. The CD, 27 at best, I think a different rear end gearing.

VegiBenz · #5 09-18-2007, 12:54 PM

If you start with a 300SD, expect it to be your last. I had a 300D and liked it pretty good. Sold and got an 82 300SD and it is awesome. I have driven the car about 17,000 miles since July 06 and I still can't get enough of it. And mine is beat with 298k miles. I would love to have bought a nicer one but I got what I payed for. Not that mine is mechanically bad, it just has faded paint and came from Jersey/Philly so it has a little rust. Great cars.

vstech · #6 09-18-2007, 01:10 PM

if the car you are looking at is in good to great shape, and you can handle driving a car with a huge front end, (some women have difficulty parking these cars) as long as it tracks straight, and doesn't make any odd noises over bumps, you will love the cars. 126 vehicles have issues with rust eating the antisway bar, they have issues with rust eating into various suspension parts, so have somebody really inspect these items. look under the battery tray, look under the rear window deck for rust.
other than these issues, I love my SD, I love my TD, and I have a nice D that I am growing into. a fine example will make your day. post pics here of any suspects you are looking at, we will all be happy to critique it for you.

Ken300D · #7 09-18-2007, 01:40 PM

You are in a good location to find these cars without too much rust. I would guess the main issue that you'll be dealing with is old air conditioning systems not working - but that will make the cars less expensive to buy initially.

Having had both styles, I would not turn down a good example of either. The maintenance procedures and requirements are almost the same - and exactly the same for the engines.

The 300SD makes a better long distance highway car, because the ride is a little better and the roar of the diesel is better surpressed by the body of the car.

I can see where the 300D might make a better city car because it can turn tighter and needs less space to maneuver.

In my early days, I paid little attention to the 300SDs that I came across because they seemed too big. But after you have one for awhile you realize it is not difficult to drive, and not all that big. I do believe it is a little safer due to slightly more mass and a longer front crumple zone.

So my advice is for you to watch out for the 300SD cars in addition to the 300D cars. You won't be sorry if you pick up a good example at a good price.

Ken300D

123Guy · #8 09-18-2007, 03:22 PM

Like twomany BNZ, I have both a 123 and 126 as well - owned both since new. I love my CD and my wife loves her SD -the SD is clearly a bigger and nicer car - lots more room under the hood - but both are easy to work on. Drive both and pick the one you like best - they both drive great, but quite differently. A good example of either car will serve you well.

Bens lover · #9 09-18-2007, 03:43 PM

I own a 126,and I'm very satisfied with it.No problems I cant repair or fix.

Nate Stanley · #10 09-18-2007, 04:22 PM

I've had both, and i guess it depends on 3 main factors:

1) long or short trips
2) straight or twisty driving
3) your height

I'm 6' and prefer the SD for its overall feel and interior size. It's a great highway cruiser and feels like 55 when you're doing much faster than that.

The 300D, on the other hand, can be tossed thru the corners with more enthusiasm, though both cars exhibit some body roll but track straight and true, and it's a gas to drive thru long, fast, swoopy roads.

Both have great fade-free brakes. Part costs are reasonable for both types.

The SD is much quieter due to its second firewall, and due to the wider body, there is more room under the hood except for the master cylinder-but it's still workable.

I agree with toomany about the interiors. My SD has more rattles and squeaks that either of the 123 bodies I have had. Somehow the designers really got body integrity really right on the 123 series; they are VERY tight cars.

Suspension: I haven't sorted out all the gronks and such on the 126, but it seems from what I've seen on the forum that the 126 front ends require more work to become totally silent over bad roads. OTOH I have a friend with a 123 with 300K+ on original suspension bits (except shocks), and it's tight as a new car.

Climate control: Problematic for both types. Try to get one with the A/C working.

Best answer I can give is-- try to test drive both types, and get the nicest one you can afford, you'll be way ahead if you don't try to make a silk purse out of a beater. You won't lose with either one, both are great cars that will give excellent service with proper maintenance. If you don't do your own wrenching, start now and save big bucks- and make friends with an independent mechanic in your area (check the forum) for any big stuff you may not want to do yourself.

DIESEL126 · #11 09-18-2007, 04:36 PM

The 300D has a very small back seat, and little leg room if your front seat passengers are tall. If you carry passengers a-lot go for the SD the back seat is plenty big, seats 3 comfortably. Nice ride, a little engine noise (at high speeds), but a safe car.

LUVMBDiesels · #12 09-18-2007, 05:38 PM

I have found it to be a great car for my commute (84 miles each way) It really eats up the highway. Around town it is a little slow off the line, but once the turbo comes up it can run with anything. I like the ride of the car, it is very smooth but not floaty like a Caddy would be. It handles well and is very predictable. Of course, it doesn't handle as sharply as the BMW and I guess it is not as toss able as the W123 cars, but if you want a good all around car with plenty of room in both the cabin and the trunk you cannot go wrong with a W126.

Whichever car you choose you will have an almost bulletproof drive train and the kind of engineering that you cannot get on a new car. Buy the best example you can afford as it always costs more money to try to improve a car in poor shape than it takes to maintain a car in good shape.

I have found that most maintenance can be done at home with a set of metric sockets and a good jack and ramps.

Make sure that you join the MBCA and your local chapter.

Good luck with your search. Oh, and post pictures of your catch!

Jeremy5848 · #13 09-18-2007, 06:04 PM

I looked at and drove several SDs and SDLs before choosing a 300D specifically because it was smaller and would fit my garage better. The SD and SDL have more creature comforts, as has been said (more to fix, says my wife). They are "S" class cars whereas the 300D would have been an "E" class car if Mercedes had defined the E class at that time.

The back seat in the 300D is plenty big enough unless the front seats are all the way back, in which it's like a compact. For normal people (sorry, Nate

) there's lots of room in back. The SD has lots of room regardless of who's in the front (except maybe Wilt Chamberlain) and the SDL, well, you could hold a dance back there (just don't get lost). It comes at the expense of an additional foot in length. SDs and SDLs were probably bought by folks with more money and may have been professionally serviced more than a 300D.

If I were looking at an SD or SDL again, I would make sure all of the creature comforts actually work. There's no joy in power seats, for example, if they're stuck in one position, especially if it puts your chin atop the steering wheel. If you pay someone to do maintenance for you, you should choose the simplest car possible, because there will be less to repair. (In theory, that would suggest a European 240D with manual transmission, windows, sunroof, climate control, etc.) If you can do the work yourself or ignore broken creature comforts (I can't), it matters less which one you choose.

For a first-time Benz Buyer who doesn't have size issues either way, I'd recommend going with the best example of whatever model you can find. All else being the same, the later models have a few improvements that might be desirable, less the California version of the 1985 617 engine, which has that irritating "trap catalyst." Even that one isn't a bad engine, it's just less desirable than the Federal version.

We will want to see pictures of whatever you buy!

Jeremy

rs899 · #14 09-18-2007, 06:44 PM

They're both great cars. Just buy based on condition and don't worry about it IMO.

What I want to know is about your Yugo with 207K miles on it.....you can't be wanting to replace that gem, can you?

Rick