My 82 300sd vs 87 300d turbo - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tubular031 · #1 06-25-2009, 01:50 PM

What are the differences between them?

I am looking for another one for my mom and found a 87 that looks like its in awesome shape not too far away. I am quickly becoming familiar with my 82 as I am working on it and putting things back together. It would be nice if they are very similar.

Looks like the 87 has the 6 cylinder motor and is still a 3L.

oldsinner111 · #2 06-25-2009, 01:59 PM

SD last forever,the other half the life.

Jeremy5848 · #3 06-25-2009, 02:26 PM

There are some similarities but the '87 is far more modern in some ways--quieter, smoother, more powerful, better suspension, lower coefficient of drag (air resistance) and better fuel economy. As an early W124, the '87 also lacks much of the electronic crap that makes the later versions harder to live with.

The OM603 engine with its alloy head is not as bulletproof as the cast-iron OM617 -- that is the heart of Oldsinner's comment -- but any engine can be ruined or made to last forever, depending on how you care for it.

The alloy head of the OM60x series engines means that you cannot get away with overheating the engine (by running out of coolant or whatever) like you sometimes can with an OM61x series engine. Having thus cracked the head, you then learn how expensive it is to overhaul an OM60x engine.

With that single caution, the '87 is a nicer car, IMHO. In any case, a PPI is strongly recommended. It's fairly easy to hide a lot of expensive deferred maintenance (suspension especially) from an innocent purchaser. And as always, YMMV, and others may chose to disagree with me.

Jeremy

Wodnek · #4 06-26-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

SD last forever,the other half the life.

i respectfully disagree. Both will go 400,000 with proper maintanance.

thayer · #5 06-26-2009, 12:31 PM

yeah but the SD will go 400k for less $$$. Maybe not alot less...but I love my 83 sd and so I may not be unbiased

Wodnek · #6 06-26-2009, 01:05 PM

I too, love my SD (W116), a great highway car.

As a daily driver though, I prefer the 124 300D, I have driven gasser V8s that didnt run as fast. That car will pull strong to 110mph, and probably faster, and get 30 mpg in regular use.

Ken300D · #7 06-26-2009, 01:47 PM

Some of the systems on the 1987 300D are less reliable than the 300SD. The engine in the 300SD has a long history (even before that basic design was used in cars) and doesn't seem to have a lot of design problems. You get smaller issues that are easier to repair most of the time.

The weakness of the 1987 300D engine is primarily the head. A good percentage of them develop cracks and they are almost guaranteed to crack if overheated. The single accessory drive belt (generator, AC, etc) system has a weak idler pully design that requires replacement relatively often and at the extreme can crack open the front timing chain cover. But that's not likely to happen relative to the chance of cracked head. If you are going to see the car, do some research here on how to find the head part number, and understand how to determine if it is a -14- original head or something like a -17- replacement head. If the car has a replacement head you will be in great shape as the replacement design was stronger.

Having said that the 1987 300D is a great car to drive, quite powerful and responsive and good fuel economy if you're not on the turbo all the time. The transmission is generally reliable in my opinion as is the low end of the engine.

Ken300D

ashedd · #8 06-26-2009, 02:53 PM

The 87 300D is a close to a old diesel rocket ship as you are going to get. Get on the highway and hold on. There is no real difference between 40 mph and 80-90 mph, try that in the SD and you will need ear plugs.

Rocket ships are more expensive to maintain than tractors(SD).

The SD is more of a big lumbering "let's go for a ride" kinda car. The 300D is a "let's have some effing fun" type of car. I like them both but I have WAAAY more money wrapped up in the 300D

Oh and...

People make comments about the SD like "cool old car" "I love the classics" and the 300D "that car sure doesn't look like an 87" "you must make alot of money"

Wodnek · #9 06-26-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashedd

"that car sure doesn't look like an 87" ""

No kidding. I had a law enforcement officer question me about having collector plates on an almost new car! He couldnt believe it was an 87.

In Wisconsin collector plates are about $200 and never have to be renewed. The qualification is 20 model years old and cant be driven in January.

mike-81-240d · #10 06-26-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wodnek

and cant be driven in January.

why

Wodnek · #11 06-27-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike-81-240d

why

Too many people were buying collector plates for beaters. You can essentially drive them forever without any plate renewel fees. The idea is the plates will hopefully go on legitimate collector cars. By simply banning their use from the roadway one month, they can eliminate the costs of inspections to determine eligability.
For those that want to take their collector car to a January car show, you can buy a 3 day plate for $5.

Bio300TDTdriver · #12 06-27-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashedd

Rocket ships are more expensive to maintain than tractors(SD).

Now that's funny, true, but funny.