Yep, and find an example with reasonable mileage. IE under 150k.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

In my opinion, the asking price is fair. Anything off that is pure bonus if its as clean as it looks.

If the car is right, and you test drive it, it will sell itself to you.

I only drove one 300SDL, it was an 86. It was NOT right, and I bought my 116 300SD instead. Both of my 87 124s are right, and make me smile every time I get in them.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

What you "heard" was actually about the 1991-1993 350SDL/SD engines, which are a 603. The 3.5 liter version. They are notorious for failing due to rod bending.

Personally I'd buy either, but I like the 617 better, it is incredibly durable, has tons of off the line torque (nice in the city, its a rocket)...and I like the sound better....sounds more manly.

Mine has almost 284k on it and can still skitter the tires on dry pavement if I punch it.

The 617 has lower maintenance V-belts/no belt tensioner, and a tough iron head that is more durable in events of cooling system problems....

Valve adjustments are no big deal. Most only need it once a year, twice if you drive a TON. For someone who has done one a few times, it can take as little as 30-40 minutes to complete....its easy.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

How do you intend to use the vehicle?

How much money do you have to spend on repairs and maintenance........per year?

Do you intend to repair everything that decides to break........or just ignore it if the vehicle moves forward under its own power?

Most of the aforementioned "opinions" are based upon personal bias........pretty much irrelevant to you.

That is what happened to me. I stayed away from the 'troublesome' 603 until I needed to replace my 300SD. I would never go back to the 5 cylinder now. The 603 is on the original head (#14) and has 320,000 miles on the clock. I have put 70000 of them on it and the engine has never let me down. It is smoother, quieter, much faster, and in a bigger heavier car returns between 2 and 5 mpg better than the 300SD ever did!

Now I want to get a 603 powered 300D to go with it...

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"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

IMHO, honestly, I would go with whichever is the car in better shape...

From what I've understood, the 616/617 can handle being mistreated more than the 603. If you take care of it (or the previous owner(s) have - get records...), then it should be a moot point, unless you plan on buying it, driving it into the ground, and then go look for your next car. I had a feeling that my 616 had been mistreated a little, but it was still pretty strong - despite wanting to blow the oil fill cap off if you loosened it (!). The odometer was broken, so I never really learned the mileage on it. If you neglect a 603, well, you might not have the same luck. A poor cooling system, #14 head, and an inattentive-to-the-temperature-gauge driver could spell a costly mistake.

If the A/C works and sunroof work on the SDL, that price is reasonable. When you look at repair / maintenance records, certain things can tell you how much an owner cared about the vehicle. Little bits of suspension rubber might be a good tip-off - it was for me.

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1982 240D, sold 9/17/2008
1987 300D TurboW124.133 - 603.960, 722.317 - Smoke Silver Metallic / Medium Red (702/177), acquired 8/15/2009
262,715 and counting

Let the games begin... I'm trying to talk directly with the owner about the car and make a reasonable offer contingent on satisfactory inspection. As always, doing this long-distance is very challenging... it takes a lot of time and patience.

BTW - side note: for those of you who love snow, we've gotten about 25 inches the last two days and it's still snowing! For now we're trapped in our home and we're starting to feel a little cabin fever... hehe. It's Winter Wonderland out there....

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Yup, my wife is pretty much stuck in the house.

Well, I offered $2800 to the owner contingent upon satisfactory inspection by the MB shop of my choosing (Atlantic Imported Auto) - I spoke to Pat - the shop owner some time ago. He's been recommended on this forum and he's willing to take 1.5 hrs to look the car over nose to tail including the test drive, and comprehensive check (sans compression check) for a reasonable price....

Anyway - the owner had accepted my offer of $2800 contingent on inspection, BUT since he doesn't have current tags on the car he's not willing to take the car to the shop... so that's the bad news - so things may still fall apart on this but at least we're one step closer...

Wonder if I can contact the DMV to get temporary tags for the car?! Any advice there?

Keep your wrenches crossed for me... hehe
James

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Maybe someone (you or PO) would spring for a tow to the mechanic?

Or split the cost?

Yep - in the works... the mechanic's shop is really close by. We'll see how it turns out. Man, the long distance hassles...

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

It is not legal, and I am not suggesting you do this, but I have been known to put my plate on an unregistered vehical to take it for a test drive.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

thats pretty safe as no one will question it unless you get pulled over for something

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Current
2006 E320 CDI, 57K bought at 67K "Liesl"
1986 190E 2.3-16, 198K bought at 56K "Brigitta"
1987 300TD (Chuggin Along), 292K "Friedrich"
1995 E320 Wagon, 200K "Louisa"

Past
1987 300SDL, (sold) 125K, bought for 1$ "Kurt"

That's the problem . . . the person in the drivers seat is gonna eat the ticket, and get it on their license . . . either seller or mechanic . . . I'd rather have it on a flatbed . . . (I have a CDL)

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82 240D Manual 277K and still rolling!
02 Volvo S60 AWD For Sale

and lose the car.