Is a European NA 1991 350 SDL a rod bender?

[Cr from Texas]

Was the rod bending issue limited to the US export models only?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180392824628&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1123

What's a reasonable price considering a head gasket is needed? Is that a red flag for other repairs?

[barry123400]

I read somewhere that the problem was not seen in the european engine. That information has to be in the archives somewhere.

On the otherhand the trunk lid states turbo pretty clearly so you will have to do your homework well. It may be the troublesome engine. Or the fuel was so much better in europe the problem did not arise there. You could also drop him a note asking if the engine was replaced and when. That thirty thousand for maintenance had to buy something.

[TX76513]

It was a European Delivery Car -US car that delivery was taken in Germany. Not like a gray market car.

VIN WDBCB35D2MA589331
Model
Chassis 1261351A589331
Engine 603970 12 002909
Transmission 722361 03 477234
Order 0 0 707 05593
Approx. year not defined
Lights BOSCH
Cab 01996
Dealer United States - tourists (707)
Interior leather grey / orion gray (268)
Paint
481 bornite (blackberry) metallic (с 01.01.1990 по 31.12.1996)
68 Unknown code
Options
227 ashtray and cigar lighter in the rear, illuminated (с 01.03.1980)
grab handle on roof front frame (с 01.06.1972 по 31.08.1973)
catacolor-glass for coupe-roof (с 01.11.1963 по 30.11.1965)
heat absorbind glass for coupe-roof (с 01.12.1965 по 28.02.1967)

241 left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
wood rims (с 01.01.1964 по 31.08.1971)

242 right front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to series w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
spare wheel, without tire (с 01.01.1964 по 31.08.1971)

340 additional 3rd stop lamp (с 01.10.1989)
front seat, right, lower (с 01.03.1967 по 28.02.1986)

412 electric sliding roof with tilting device (с 01.07.1983)
hydraulic sliding roof, in the rear (с 01.11.1964 по 30.06.1981)

446 tempomat (cruise control), steering column, electrically adjustable, and airbag (с 01.02.1980 по 31.10.1993)

461 instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)

491 USA version (с 01.01.1963)

531 automatic antenna (с 01.01.1963)

543 exhaust-pipe cover trim (с 01.01.1963 по 28.02.1963)
seat adapter between the front seats, and halogen lamp unit (с 01.01.1967 по 31.12.1972)
sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (с 01.11.1978)

551 anti-theft warning system (с 01.11.1978 по 31.03.1998)
anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (с 01.04.1998)
steering wheel, ivory-colored (с 01.01.1963 по 31.05.1973)

581 Thermoking air conditioner (с 01.04.1970 по 31.12.1972)
automatic climate control (с 01.01.1977)

592 wyellow foglamps (с 01.01.1963 по 31.10.1965)
heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), band filter
heat-insulating glass, side window panes (с 01.02.1967 по 31.01.1971)
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)

600 headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
trim strips on hardtop (с 01.04.1963 по 31.07.1971)

611 courtesy lamps for front and rear doors, with W124 also for central doors/W202 front doors only (с 01.11.1978)
sealed beam lamp unit, l.h. traffic (с 01.01.1966 по 28.02.1972)
lamp unit, symmetrical (с 01.01.1962 по 28.02.1963)

636 15" tires (с 01.01.1965 по 30.04.1970)
elimination of warning triangle (с 01.03.1973)

757 Becker radio Grand Prix 2000 - USA (с 01.06.1990 по 31.03.1994)
radio with cassette (loudspeakers and antenna included) (с 22.05.1996 по 11.11.1996)

801 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year

810 roof-mounted loudspeaker (с 01.11.1962 по 30.11.1972)
loudspeaker, sound package
sound package (bose) (с 01.12.1986)

820

877 reading lamp in the rear (с 01.11.1963)

[compu_85]

Ya, no diesel S class was available in europe till like 95 in the W140.

-J

[TylerH860]

I bought one of these in very nice condition with the same issue. I planned to put a 603 motor from an 86-87. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, I chose to keep my W123 and part with the SDL before doing the work. It still ran and drove fine, cold AC, all electrics working. I sold it within 24 hours of listing on craigslist (with the issue disclosed) for $1800. I probably could of held out for more, but when I choose to sell things, I like them gone quickly.

[TylerH860]

Hmm... This has to be the same car on craigslist for $1500.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/1300081570.html

[Hit Man X]

Cool, right around the corner from me.

[Hit Man X]

Oh and on the sale, $1k is about all I'd pay due to miles.

Trans is going to be near the end of its life span, front suspension too, could have a bad bottom end (not just gasket), etc.

It won't sell on ebay, go w/ the CL ad and offer $500 cash. Probably take it away for $750. If not? Don't waste anymore time, it's simply not worth anything more.

ALSO, it seems most No 22 headed motors have updated bottom ends. So that'd be something to check out while under the hood. If I did not already have an SDL I'd go check it out.

[dariod]

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

Oh and on the sale, $1k is about all I'd pay due to miles.

Trans is going to be near the end of its life span, front suspension too, could have a bad bottom end (not just gasket), etc.

It won't sell on ebay, go w/ the CL ad and offer $500 cash. Probably take it away for $750. If not? Don't waste anymore time, it's simply not worth anything more.

ALSO, it seems most No 22 headed motors have updated bottom ends. So that'd be something to check out while under the hood. If I did not already have an SDL I'd go check it out.

Well it already has two bids to a $1000 so your OFFER of $500 is only already DOUBLE AWAY LOL.

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by dariod

Well it already has two bids to a $1000 so your OFFER of $500 is only already DOUBLE AWAY LOL.

Took the words right out of my mouth. It is the ideal W126 diesel platform to build an amazing car out of.

[Hit Man X]

Originally Posted by dariod

Well it already has two bids to a $1000 so your OFFER of $500 is only already DOUBLE AWAY LOL.

Yeah and from a NEW ebayer with ZERO feedback. Real shocking. Just him or his buddy bidding it up to try to get a few dollars out of the car. It is a $500 car on a good day due to mileage and a bad motor.

The $47k tag in 1991 is hilarious, such as if that price then has any merit today. Hell my 1988 750iL was nearly $90k, now they can be had in better shape than this SDL for same money... and burn 87 fuel.



You guys have to remember this is a buyers market, not a sellers market. You can steal anything if you wait it out. How many people are actually interested in a 350SDL, let alone one with a bad motor, AND have $3-5k to piss away into it in this market so it's road bound?

No one is going to ship that car, so it has to be a local purchaser. DFW is a large area, but I can't imagine there being more than 20 people who are at all interested in that car... and half of them are probably salvage yards.

[Hit Man X]

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Took the words right out of my mouth. It is the ideal W126 diesel platform to build an amazing car out of.

If it's such a great deal, why aren't you buying it?

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

If it's such a great deal, why aren't you buying it?

Why are you getting needlessly defensive? I sold basically the same car for $1800.00 with the issue disclosed. When is the last time you sold a 350sdl with a "bad head gasket"? I was originally going to have a 150k '87 603 installed for $1500. It would have had an amazing car at the fraction of the cost of a complete one.

Have you seen my signature? I have enough cars to deal with already. I decided to keep my W123 instead.

*edit at $1800, I sold it within 24 hours of listing on craigslist and had half a dozen phone calls.

[Hit Man X]

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Why are you getting needlessly defensive? I sold basically the same car for $1800.00 with the issue disclosed. When is the last time you sold a 350sdl with a "bad head gasket"? I was originally going to have a 150k '87 603 installed for $1500. I would have had an amazing car at the fraction of the cost of a complete one.

Have you seen my signature? I have enough cars to deal with already. I decided to keep my W123 instead.

I am pointing out that you had no idea of the $1000 BS reserve not met price, you didn't see the bids on ebay... it's typical of people selling crap cars poorly attempting to drive up the price on the car. I see this ALL the time when looking for and at parts cars. Not to mention piles of crap like this one.

3L cars are worth more as they do not have the bottom end issues. This is common knowledge. Makes no sense to swap in a motor when you could just R&R the top end, but sounds like you have a lack of sense of money.

350SDLs are always worth almost nothing, they have been since I bought my old '84 300D... no one wanted them then, no one wants them now. When I bought one of my 745i cars I found a 350SD (black on black, TX car from new) sitting in the back of an Euro shop for $750 that needed a motor. No thanks.

Again, if it's such a great deal why don't you get it and sell something else? You make it like it's the end-all of the W126 cars.

This car is not anything special.

[TylerH860]

What is your deal? Insulting me, and the car in the process.You don't know for certain whether its a shill bid or not either.

No need to be condescending either. I was quoted $1500 by a friend to buy the motor and have it installed in a '91. How is that a lack of sense of money? If it just needed a new head gasket, fine, but its possible the head was bad, and the 3.5 may have bottom end issues currently or down the line. For $1500, I would of had no worries*. ( * )because there's always something with old benzes and used motors

If they are worth basically nothing, how was I able to sell mine for FULL asking price within 24 hours and had many phone calls? I disclosed what it needed, may need, and the possibilities to every person.

It could be IMO the end all be all W126 with because you get the nicer later year goodies and can swap in an '86-'87 motor. The fact that its in Dallas prevents me from looking at it too. I always look at them before I buy. I also don't have to buy every good car I see to justify it a worthy purchase to you. That logic makes no sense whatsoever.

Seriously, your attitude needs adjustment. No need to make it personal. Just because you think its a worthless car does not mean others think the same.