300d or 300sd - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

blackestate · #1 08-26-2009, 04:09 PM

Looking to replace my wrecked 300sd, 81.

I have found an 84sd, a little rough. But ok.
And for the same price I found an 81 300d. Looking much better.

I have stuck with the sd due to having spare parts for all cars made easy. But I am thinking hard about the 123. I like the front better.

How much stuff will interchange between these cars?
I have never driven a 300d. is there the same ammount of room for the driver

Kind if a weak question, hope you can see what I am thinking....

Thanks

vstech · #2 08-26-2009, 04:19 PM

the D is much tighter in the driver's compartment.
less room between the seats, less legroom, less space in the console area, smaller glove box... pretty much a smaller car.
most parts will interchange, there are several that won't. body obviously.
also, the 81 is a non turbo, so less mileage, and much louder on the highway due to increased RPM requirements.
post pics of both cars, and details on why you want the one vs the other, and let us give opinions and clues to assist you with decisions...

toomany MBZ · #3 08-26-2009, 08:39 PM

Not much will interchange, (turbo) same fuel and oil filters tho, fuses too. The SD is a larger car, yet full size adults fit just fine in a D.

Brian Carlton · #4 08-26-2009, 10:40 PM

I had a 123 for five years from 1997 to 2002. Drove it from 100K to 200K with virtually no repairs...........didn't know much about them at that time.

Picked up the SD in 2002 and there is no possibility of returning to the cramped cabin of the 123...........very awkward and uncomfortable vehicle for a tall person..........but, I didn't know any better.

You cannot go back.

vstech · #5 08-27-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

Not much will interchange, (turbo) same fuel and oil filters tho, fuses too. The SD is a larger car, yet full size adults fit just fine in a D.

actually, there is more that will interchange, than will not.
the entire suspension will, drive train is very similar, needing very little to swap to make it work... seats, motor parts, pretty much easily swapped. but nearly nothing from the body will swap...

Brian Carlton · #6 08-27-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

the entire suspension will,

The 126 has a wider track when compared to the 123. Accordingly, there must be components on the suspension that are vehicle specific. I'd be careful before claiming that the entire suspension will swap.

I'm positive that the guide rod mounting arrangement is completely different............as I've been educated by the 123 crowd when referring to the bearing carrier on the 126.

RML · #7 08-27-2009, 12:12 PM

Brake components don't swap. SD = Vented rotors D = Non vented rotors. So the calipers are different as well.

Some things on the SD will be more expensive to repair. For example, the brake rotors are almost twice as expensive. I am not knocking the SD. Just stating some observations. I would not mind at all having an SD, but for as much as I drive, (4 mile commute) the D suits me just fine.

toomany MBZ · #8 08-27-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

actually, there is more that will interchange, than will not.
the entire suspension will, drive train is very similar, needing very little to swap to make it work... seats, motor parts, pretty much easily swapped. but nearly nothing from the body will swap...

I have a 123 and a 126, albeit both are turbos.
Very similar=different.
They are different chassis's. Same set up, but different wheelbases and tracks.
I'm not sure about the seats, different interior dimensions. Different transmissions, same filter and gasket tho. Same cam cover gasket. Slightly different gauge cluster, electronic oil pressure gauge. Does the 300D have a tach?
Some engine parts, yes, as mentioned. Different injector pressures, different air cleaners, different main vac line. Different IP, inside.
I was trying to convey maintenance items for both, items you would have around.

blackestate · #9 08-28-2009, 11:39 PM

I am looking to replace one of my totaled SD's.
Found a guy with what he says is a nice 300d. No engine or trans.
What would it be worth, I am assuming that the engine and trans from the SD will go in easily.
got to go look tomorrow.
Found a sd for 900 that was a rust bucket!
have foun d some running D's not many SD's.

Did they make a 380SE diesel? http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/1346341689.html
Thanks

pawoSD · #10 08-29-2009, 12:19 AM

I don't think I could trade up my W126 for a W123, its just no where near as comfortable or fun to drive in my opinion....it feels more ancient. I'd even be torn to go to a W124 from my W126....it'd be easier, but I still doubt I could do it. W126 forever!! W140...maybe.

Dieselkraut23 · #11 08-29-2009, 12:37 AM

I am 6'2" and have had both cars and done alot of major repairs on both cars and for driving and reliability id have to say no hands down w123 is the best if you want less upkeep.

If you want a better long trip cruise/roomer car then go with the SD.

But as i said im 6'2" and have a nice feel in the w123.

P.S im 195lb incase you think im a twig.

micalk · #12 08-29-2009, 11:35 PM

Never could get the transmission to shift smoothly in the 123, but the 126 is like butter. More room in the front seat, more room in the rear seat for passengers (or whatever the back seat is used for nowadays

) And the 126 just seems overall more luxurious. You can also look at it as more things to break, but not that much more - electric seats vs. manual, electric vacuum pump for doors vs. vacuum storage, a little more A/C elements, but that's about it for the electrical stuff. Everything else is just about the same, just smaller.

I still want a 115 to beat around in, tho.

pawoSD · #13 08-29-2009, 11:42 PM

The door lock system on a W126 is far more reliable and easier to repair than on a W123...the electric pump is a very rare failure, and a junkyard one is about $5...

My brother's 300D had the locking system disabled long ago.

ashedd · #14 08-29-2009, 11:55 PM

I am 79 inches tall and my TD is quite small. My SD is much better for my size. I would still like to find a gen2 w126... I still think a sel with a om617 swap is the way to go, or a nice sdl. I like the shortness of the SD vs. the SDL but if I were to ever sit in the rear seat... it would have to be an SDL.

Anyway..

I have a w124, w123, w126 and they all seem very different mechanically to me. It sucks because I have to label all my spare parts... never had to do that with the SHO's I use to have... well sometimes I would have to put 3.2 vs 3.0

If I could get mt w123 steering wheel to telescope I would be happy. The wheel hits me in the leg. I wonder if I could get a w124 column to fit in there?

1stimer · #15 08-30-2009, 03:21 AM

6'7" tall here, too. Have owned a W123 and now own a W126 and a W124 (gasser). I like the W126 over the W123 even though my W126 is in the middle of a nightmare brake fiasco.