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  #1  
Old 09-22-2001, 01:43 AM
Brent Mills
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1986 300SD or 1991 300SE....Which would you choose?

Ok, I'm trying to narrow my search a bit. Going to look at a 1991 300se with 97,000 mi. on it, and a 1986 300SD with about 120,000 mi. on it. Price is for the 1986 SD is $7000 and the SE is $12000.

Both have complete records and are well taken care of. Which would you choose?


Thanks for your help fellas.


P.S. Am I correct in assuming that the bodies are the same? I have only looked at the 89-91 SE's to this point.

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  #2  
Old 09-22-2001, 03:42 AM
A. Rosich's Avatar
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Go for the 1991 300SE.

Both cars are W126s, but 1991 was the last year of production for that series in the U.S., hence all problems were completely (or almost) solved at the time.

Also, the SE has less mileage, and that's also a +

I owned a 300TD for 18 years, and although I love Mercedes diesels, you really never get used to the slow pick-up and the peculiar smell from the exhaust.

A. Rosich
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  #3  
Old 09-22-2001, 11:00 AM
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Brent:

Tough choice! I just bought an 87 300DT (hot diesel!!) and would personally grab the diesel, but both cars are a good deal -- my brother bought an 87 300SDL earlier this year with 125,000 on it for $12,500.

The diesel may and may not outlive the gas engine. It doesn't have the same power unless it has a six rather than a 5 cylinder diesel -- the six has 145 hp and 195 ft/lbs of torque, pretty close match for the gas 300. Neither one is a race car -- too much body for the power, but unless you insist on winning the stoplight drag races, you will be pleased with either one.

The diesel will be a bit slow off the line, but I drive a 220D every day, you get used to it.

The W126 chassis is very much trouble free, reguardless of age. Typcial MB stuff -- window regulator clips break and switches die (not specific to MB), sunroof cables go bad, the climate pushbutton unit dies, cruise control amplifier croaks, but these aren't major problems.

Both engines live forever -- need a valve job about ever 160,000 to 180,000 miles, etc.

Good luck!

Peter
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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
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  #4  
Old 09-22-2001, 02:52 PM
Brent Mills
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Thanks for your input guys!

Anyone else want to weigh in?
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  #5  
Old 09-22-2001, 11:04 PM
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i have an 83 300SD and the person i bought it from(my dad's close friend, has posted on here a couple times) bought a 91 300SE. The 300SE definately is a more refined car. Compared to mine it has many more "creature comforts". The ride seems better as does wind noise. Also, in a 1991 you also have the added safety of an airbag for the driver. IT should also have ABS, not sure if the 86 does. I'd pesonally go for the 91 300SE, just because they seem more like a "real" luxury car then my super turtle. But theres something about my car that i don't think any other car will ever have, when i figure out what it is i'll let you know. Hope this helps
Ryan
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  #6  
Old 09-23-2001, 09:51 AM
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Also, i may be wrong, but i thought the 300SD was only made till '85? if thats true you may be looking at a 300SDL, which is a little longer. Again, i may be wrong. I also remembered some of the "creature comforts" my car does not have that the 91 300se does. The 300se has memory seats(passenger and driver) with power headrest, a digital outside temp display, a tilting sunroof, an extra coin holder, and i believe it has a one-touch down drivers window, but i'm not sure on that one. Again, hope this helps
Ryan
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  #7  
Old 09-23-2001, 10:09 AM
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I believe RG above is right -- if it IS an '86, it IS an SDL, which means the long wheelbase W126, which translates to 5 more inches of legroom in the back seat compared to the short wheelbase SE. That is a factor for your equation: how often do you have rear-seat passengers?

Another thing to remember is that SOME of the '86 SDLs have a "trap oxidizer" and these are rife with problems. Should have been replaced by the dealer, but some were not. If still in place, a major strike against the diesel. (Easy to tell: look under the hood, and on the right side of engine the trap oxidizer looks like an oversize silver coffee can on the exhaust manifold.)
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  #8  
Old 09-23-2001, 05:08 PM
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I have a '90 300SE and had an 84 300SD. Both are good choices and I like the smooth running, quieter and quicker gas car better.

However, that being said, I think if I were in your position, I think I'd opt for the diesel. Here's why:

1. It is a 300SDL, 5" more leg room in the back.
2. You will get 26-28 mpg with the diesel, vs 21-23 with the gas engine.
3. Right now, diesel is 10-20 cents less than gas.
4. The '86-87 diesels had refinements like airbags, 15" wheels, ABS and cosmetic upgrades from 81-85 diesel models.
5. With all the above considered, the '86-87 300SDLs are hard to find and therefore command a premium.
6. Last but not least, the $5000 lower price tag would be the decision maker for me. You are going to spend $1-$2K per year on maintainance on either one. So, having $5K in your pocket will put you ahead of the game.

There is one important qualifier, make sure you have a compression test run as well a good pre-purchase check.
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91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)
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  #9  
Old 09-23-2001, 07:39 PM
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Another thing unique to the SDL is a history of cracked heads. Not common, not rare, but I agree with Mr. Bill above that a good PPI (prepurchase inspection) by a technician VERY FAMILIAR with diesels would be in order.

That being said, I have a 400E I bought 5 years ago and love it. However, I think that if I knew then what I know now, I would have looked for a nice 86-87 300SDL. As Mr. Bill says, it's a truly unique car (a big luxury car with a diesel engine!) which gets 26 mpg cruising very comfortably down the interstate. It's also more accessible to the DIY'er. MB diesels, as you may know, are legendary for durability, and mileages of 300-400,000 miles are not unusual.

Don't forget to check for a trap oxidizer . . .
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  #10  
Old 09-23-2001, 11:10 PM
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txbill brings up a good point, but personally i couln't imagine driving any bigger of a car then my sd, there are times when i think i'm driving a yacht, particularly when trying to paralell park at work. that takes some work!
R
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  #11  
Old 09-23-2001, 11:34 PM
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Both cars are priced equally for what the year and model. I'd choose based on condition: the one that had no paint work (if there is one), and the quality of service records. If they were both the same in those respects, I'd probably go for the 91 because they're the most refined (New seats, speaker system, tougher engine components, 5 less years of age) - the 86 may have a few more bugs in it.

Documentation of the miles is also important. Both of those cars mileages' translate to less than 10k per year, which is below average.
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  #12  
Old 09-24-2001, 07:04 PM
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It was really good of TXBILL to do a search for other 126 diesels. However, I think the '90 & '91 versions are actually 350 SDL's powered by the rod bending 350 engine. I wouldn't own one of those at any price.

The fact is, after two years, the 300 SDL should stilll be worth $6K, the 300SE will be worth less than $9K. It'll cost much less to own the diesel with better fuel mileage, less expensive fuel, lower cost and less depreciation. Make sure the trap oxidizer has been replaced, that means you also have a new exhaust system and maybe a new turbo.

Unless you live in a cold very hilly area, think diesel.
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91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)
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  #13  
Old 09-24-2001, 09:05 PM
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Bill:

Gas MB's are a blast -- drive the same, sound almost the same (no diesel rumble), and have "hit the pedal and fly" power in comparison to our familiar diesels.

They usually aren't real road rockets, with a few exceptions (C280, 600's, 6.9's, etc) but a true pleasure to drive. I love to get rid of tailgaters in my mother's 300TE by driving too fast for them to keep up on the cruves! I get to smirk as they floor it and weave to get around me at the next traffic light (as I am more than willing to let them -- I'd rather have them in front so they won't hit me from behind!)

The drawback is mediocre milage -- my mechanic gets 17 mpg out of his 560 SEC, the 300TE gets about 21 on country roads and maybe 24 on the highway, usually less. I'm used to the upper 30's in everything I've owned except the "86 Buick, and that was 28 or so. NOT fun to drive, by the way....!

Peter
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  #14  
Old 09-24-2001, 09:22 PM
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I too love my 300 SE. It's quicker and quieter than a diesel. All things equal, I'd buy a gas car. My recomendation is based on the $5K diff in price and better economy.

The diesel will not depreciate much more, but the gas car will drop nearly in half over the next 4-5 years. I always consider the cost of ownership. The less you spend, the less you loose.
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91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)
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  #15  
Old 09-24-2001, 09:55 PM
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tough choice

My '89 300SE is very nice on the
freeway, especially on long trips.
It has been very reliable with no major
break downs. The idle is a bit, sublimely
uneven. A common problem.
Sometimes it burns oil (90K miles on it)
another common problem but I just add oil
when needed.
I like my 300D and I'm sure the 300SD
is a fine ride.
Everything that previous posters have said is true.
Make a choice on ease of parking,
condition of car and pocket book.
For biz and show, the SDL may be
the one since it is roomier.
The SE is classy.
Keep us posted.

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1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD
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