Let's Talk 300SDL and 300D
 

So my dad has been envious of my diesel Mercedes since I bought it so we have been looking for a nice one for him the last few weeks. I found two that would suit him well and I was wondering what your opinions are. The contest is between a 1987 300SDL (265k) and a 1993 300D (208k).

I am wondering which is the most reliable vehicle (engine, transmission, suspension, everything!) and which is would be most enjoyable to ride (ride quality, handling, comfort, interior room, and nifty gadgets).

My dad is leaning towards the 300SDL because he likes the big, heavy look the car has. I think he should get the 300D just because it has lower miles and is a little newer. The 300D is only $1k more too so I think it's a pretty good deal.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thats a close call, in the end I'd say it comes down to preference. The 300D will be quite a bit smaller than the SDL (a lot smaller). Personally I'd probably go with the SDL, cheaper to buy too. Means more $$ available for repairs. :D ;)

X2 as above it comes down to preference. Having owned a 300D, my vote would have to be for the SDL and 126's in general. Reliability and Repair is going to pretty much be the same. When you get to ride - that's were the 300D gets left in the dust.

The 300D will get better mileage and it doesn't have the weak head that the SDL has, plus it's a slightly newer chassis. Condition is what really matters though. I say inspect and test drive both.

If you get the SDL just make sure that you maintain(or he does) the cooling system. If there is wobble in the belt tensioner or it is not perfectly in line with the belt replace it immediately. You only need to overheat it once. The 603 engine is great but that is the Achilles heal.

They are both great cars, it comes down to whether he wants a W126 or W124.

I have both cars.
 

Speaking from experience, I LOVE driving both cars.......I wish there was a W269 model. *GRIN*

The BIG car ride of my 1986 300SDL is wonderful and taking co workers to lunch in it is ALWAYS my treat. My car, Elegant Madame, loves showing off.

The 300D is so much FUN to drive by myself. I guess if I didn't have a family or go out at lunch time with folks that drive small cars, the 300D would be my daily driver and I would sell my 300SDL.

I am 6'2" tall and there is plenty of room in the backseat of the SDL, but not the D.

Speaking of SDLs, there's one on eBay, here in Memphis.

It is always better for the Dad to have a bigger car.

For reliablity I would have both go through a good PPI at the same mechanic, and get his opinion since they both come from different owners and have been maintained differently.

For which would be most enjoyable to ride....ride quality, comfort, interior room,.....It is IMO the SDL too.

For nifty gadgets.....I think you should buy him a cool stereo with an IPod input and teach him how to use it to listen to The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin or whatever his cruising tunes of choice are.


...

Thanks for the advice guys!

I think he will be getting the SDL. He is planning to test drive it in the next couple of weeks. I hope it doesn't sell before then but his schedule won't allow him to make the three hour drive sooner.

How hard is it to find parts for the SDL? The one he is looking at has a red interior and we were talking about swapping the interior out. What other 300 have the same interior as the SDL?

What are the conditions, and prices of these cars?

Rust? There's got to be extensive wheel-well & rocker panel rust on these 20 year old Northern Rust Puppies by now.

Expand your search horizons to buying in Texas. MB diesels can be had here with half the miles, none of the rust, and likely a lot less in purchase price. For a two day RT drive from WI., it's worth it.

200,jillionK+ miles and rust? I'm out..

You can pull the interior out of an 86-91 300SEL, 350SDL, 420SEL or 560SEL. Possibly an 81-85 380SEL or 500SEL but there might be compatibility issues with the front seat controls.

That opens options like newer style seats and leather patterns in 88-up cars, heated seats, reclining rear seats, front door speakers, etc.

I don't know if MB Tex was offered in LWB S-class. Very few US cars have velour but you might find something in a Euro model.

I imagine most interior bits out of a SWB S-cass, 300SD and 300SE, will work. It's only the carpeting, headliner and rear door trim that would be different. Maybe the c-pillar trim.

Sixto
87 300D

In fact it's harder to look than to find :)

Lots of 81-91 S-class in wrecking yards. Just about every body and chassis part is shared.

The engine is shared with the 87 300D and TD and everything's still available, even new cylinder head castings if it comes to that.

There isn't much unique to the 300SDL other than the transmission and the trunk lid badge :) The oil cooler, encapsulation panels, coolant reservoir...

Sixto
87 300D

I concur on the RUST issues. Buy a southern car. My 300SDL is from New Orleans; no it was NOT in Hurricane Katrina. And my 300D (for sale) is from Tennessee. Hardly any salt used on road in Tennessee.

Good man, daw_two!

Just say NO to buying rusted MB diesels!

You still gotta be careful with southern cars. They may not have much salt in the south, but they still have water, the main cause of rust (salt just accelerates the rust). When it comes to rust the best cars to buy are from the dry desert southwest, but then you might have to deal more with cracked dashboards and faded paint.