1987 SDL with 118,000, full service history: Sale price: $7,200

1995 E300 Diesel with 45,000 miles, full service history: Sale price, $10,000
(wire harness not replaced yet)


Which of these are a better buy and a better commuter car? Any opinions?


Interior and exterior of both cars are in great condition.

To be honest, they both make me nervous. Parts are alot of dough for either and they can be quite needy.
The 95 E300 is non turbo - not nearly the car that the turbo is.

The SDL is nice, but I keep getting nervous about the 603's the more I research them.

For that kind of dough you can pick up a nice W123 and keep it forever.... for cheap....

Much depends on an in depth inspection and verification of the claimed milages and condition. Both are extremely low claimed milage for the years. So basically if a person had to choose one you could not do it properly otherwise in my opinion. Actually both cars in my opinion should be about as new in general with these claimed milages.

Whichever one has the best service records, and is in the nicest overall condition.

All things equal, I would favor the SDL.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

What head does the SDL have on it?

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

SDL! It may be older, but that is, after all an S class Mercedes.
Then again, I'd pic the '95 if it was green......

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Both are too expensive.

$7200 should get you that 1995 E300 and $10k should get you a 98-99 E300 turbo.

E300 should get better fuel mileage.

I'd say insurance actuals for a 95 E300 are closer to $10K than actuals for an 87 SDL are close to $7K. In other words, you get more value back if you total the E300.

If you will spend a lot of time in the car, get the one that fits you better. Either is an expensive regret.

Sixto
87 300D

Not sure what head the SDL has. I saw the service records and there is no mention of head being replaced or any overheating.

The E300 has a complete service history as well, all from the same MB dealer. It had its 45,000 service just a few months ago. The original owner is selling (college professor) so I tend to believe the miles are probably legit.

The E300 is far from my house and I have not driven it. Is it a complete slow poke, or will I be able to merge onto the expressway without getting white knuckles?

Thanks for the input so far!!

E300 is fine. It's only slower than the SDL which is practically quick.

Sixto
87 300D

I'd go with the E300 all else being equal. That multi link setup wins hands down over the W126 suspension setup, gives it a much more comfortable and modern feeling. The modern amenities of the W124 also wins over the W126.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

I have owned and driven both (thousands of miles). Currently own an 87 SDL with 112k . (had 80 when I got it) Easy DIY repairs and the best diesel benz I have owned. Reliable, powerful and a joy to drive. E300d.owned a new one in 96 without the turbo..pretty slow had alot of problems with the climate control, trans, . More modern and def. smoother ride. The SDL has been much more reliable. Probably be a good idea to replace the belt and tensioner assembly. A/C will probably need to be reworked, front suspension and shocks are also areas of attention at this mile. Vacuum pump, fan clutch and of course the head are areas of poss.attention. I But, for a 20 year old car thats not bad. Dirive it and see were the temp guage goes. These are solid well build automobiles. Price seems a little steep, but if everything looks perfect and it is mechanicaly excellent then it is not a bad price. Just my opinion.

Personally, I prefer the drive, handling, and space taken in the garage of the E-class. If you want a bigger car, the S-class. Up to you.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

SDL.. Big n Classy.

plus it was made before the accountants got to design the cars


but $7200 for it... eeeehhh little steep unless everything works and will work for another 10 years

All things being equal I would go for the SDL. I Love mine Big and 'fast' compared to the 300SD I had. Lots of comfort and lots or room in the backseat. I get close to or get 30mpg depending on how I drive it. Mine has 302K on the original head with no issues (sound of me knocking on wood)

I do not like newer cars due to all the extra electronics they heaped on them.

In your shoes I would take both on an extended test drive do some highway and some city driving and see which one fits you best.

__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad