1987 300SDL vs 1991 350SDL - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sixto · #16 09-21-2008, 12:53 PM

I'll bet rebuilt engine is an embellishment on a head gasket job.

Sixto
87 300D

sixto · #17 09-21-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amosfella

well, I did know about swapping out the IP from the 606. I was thinking about grabbing the guts from the 606 ip and putting them in the 603 IP. a wastegate actuator isn't a big deal. install a rad and intercooler from a 606, not a big deal as I see it. anything else off the top of your head??

There isn't anything left on the top of my head

DaveM/gsxr says you can't just swap the 7mm innards of a 606 IP and drop them in place of the 6mm innards of a 603 IP. He uses more techincal terms than that

My plan is to mate the governor end of a 603 IP with the fueling end of a 606 IP but Dave says even that is much easier said than done. Best to pay the piper and go with a Myna IP.

Sixto
87 300D

amosfella · #18 09-21-2008, 02:39 PM

so, there aren't any differences in the tranny or anything??

Cr from Texas · #19 09-21-2008, 03:20 PM

I'm passing on the 87 300SDL. The owner has a long list of what was included in the rebuild but no receipts and "forgot" the name of the out of state shop that did the work.

I'll follow up more on the 91 350SDL tomorrow. It's been a local car for the last 10 years so I should be able to talk to the servicing shop on Monday. They're asking $4,500 for this 180k miles, clean specimen. too much? From other posts, it seems that the rod bending usually occurs before 100k miles, right? Would that mean this one is likely a "good" 350?

ggspeed · #20 09-21-2008, 03:33 PM

I've Seen high mileage 350SDLs i know a guy who has one, its nice and has 270k on it still runs better then my 300SDL with only 187k on it.... I think the rod bending is from city driving.....

Cr from Texas · #21 09-21-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggspeed

I've Seen high mileage 350SDLs i know a guy who has one, its nice and has 270k on it still runs better then my 300SDL with only 187k on it.... I think the rod bending is from city driving.....

This would be my wife's daily driver used for a lot of short trips. Need the extra rear space for her older friends. They have trouble getting in the 83 300D.

babymog · #22 09-22-2008, 04:38 PM

Go for the 350. It is a refined version of the 300SDL, nicer stereo, nicer interior, nice cars IMO.

You don't know what you're getting in a used car, whether it is the "rebuilt" 300SDL or one that doesn't say "rebuilt", someone's wrenches have been in there in the last couple of decades. Complete service histories are rare at this age.

I'd rather have a good running 350SDL with original engine than a good running 300SDL with original #14 head, used 3.0 blocks are easier to find than used #22 heads and probably about the same price when all is done, ... and you end up with a newer nicer car.

SLS and ASD were available on the '91, both nice to have. The Bose system also is pretty decent for a stock audio system. Check sunroof operation on both though.

sixto · #23 09-23-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

The Bose system also is pretty decent for a stock audio system.

Do you mean the Bose system in the 140? I don't know of any 126 that came with a Factory Bose system.

Sixto
87 300D

Hatterasguy · #24 09-23-2008, 12:55 AM

Nah they just added two speakers in the front doors. I *think* there was a pretty rare 10 speaker option, but its like the bucket rear seats, so probably only a handfull of cars got it.

Cr from Texas · #25 09-23-2008, 02:09 AM

I checked out the 91 350SDL on Sunday. Not as "excellent" as the seller said but then they never are. Looks like a lot of oil coming from under the valve cover and it is the 603.970 engine. Starts and sounds good and the inside is really in great shape. Outside and underbody is rust free but needs a repaint from the Texas sun - clear coat on hood, roof, and trunk is very cloudy and peeling on the edge of some panels. Probably a good buy at $4,500 if you don't care about the paint (my wife does - it must look good).

I think I'll pass on both and go back to the original plan of fixing the 123 (I know what I've got and what needs attention - minimal risks).

Thanks for all the advice and input.

babymog · #26 09-23-2008, 10:51 PM

My '91 SDL had it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

Do you mean the Bose system in the 140? I don't know of any 126 that came with a Factory Bose system.

Sixto
87 300D

mplafleur · #27 09-23-2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cr from Texas

I'm passing on the 87 300SDL. The owner has a long list of what was included in the rebuild but no receipts and "forgot" the name of the out of state shop that did the work.

Here's what I'll have when I'm done with my '86 SDL rebuild

Body with 316K on it, but in almost perfect condition with the following work in progress:

New carpet
Interior from a low miles '91 560 SEL
Rebuilt trans
New pistons/rings
New liners
Resurfaced crank
New bearings (rod & mains)
New chains (timing/oil pump)
#22 cyl head
Bosch Euro headlights
New Bilstein shocks

But I don't remember the name of the shop in Georgia that did the transmission. I don't know the name of the shop that did the block/crank work
I don't have receipts for any of the above except for maybe the bearing kits and the gasket kits.

I still need to evaluate the vacuum pump to see if I should replace it. There's no Mercedes emblem on it so it's supposedly not original, but I don't see a date stamp on it either.

I guess the lack of rebuild records will means it won't be of any worth to any future buyer, but then again I didn't do all this work just to sell it.