Years to Avoid?
 

What diesel years should be avoided? I thought there was a thread with a list?

I'd recommend avoiding anything prior to post-WWII or anything made after MY06.

Avoid the 350s unless they are rebuild and 87s with the #12 head.

Answer
 

Wiring Harness issue; ALL
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/general-information/166883-wiring-harness-issue%3B-all.html

1990 thru 94 S Class diesels.E class from 1991 thru 96.1996 thru 1997 E Class diesels do to transmissions.All other years are OK.

I thought the harness issues mainly plagued late 124s, 140s, r129s, basically from very late 80's to about '96?

Would you read that sentence and consider whether or not you want to edit it for clarity ?

Uh?
 

[QUOTE=oldsinner111;2388579]1996 thru 1997 E Class diesels do to transmissions.QUOTE]

96 has the bullit proof 4 speed still it is the 97 that should be avoided. 96 with 606 is a strong runner, especially if you bypass the EGR whcih is very easy on this model before the more modern ecu emission controls were added in 98. om606 engine mated with 4 speed may not be quick but good for 400k at least if properly maintained.

Years to avoid
 

Years 14-16 are pretty much filled with teenage angst
18-26 drunken debauchery.
You are on your own for the rest

I'd avoid the whole disco era.

I would like to politely state that the above is crap!!!! E class from 90-95 are especially desirable, and if you can stand the W210 chassis then the '96-'99 have a very loyal following. Trannys are more desirable on certain years of the W210 I will give you from what I've read on here. {so, do or due?} ;)
I can't argue too much with the S class, but all other info I have a real problem with....

There are good 350SDLs out there too, you just have to look and avoid the ones that are time bombs.

-Jason

ive talked to a experienced mercedes mechanic and the main problem with those is the head gaskets

the 70's arent bad besides the climate control

Find another mechanic. The one you believe is "experienced" knows nothing.

I always try to avoid 1066AD.

lolz
hes only been working on them over 20 years and knows his stuff

He doesn't.

Trust me.

I was pondering the same question as the original post just yesterday. Now I have the MB bug and will likely be "shopping" for a slightly newer than my 300D model. Those seem like S class cars being sold. What is the failure modes on the '90-'94 models that would have you saying to avoid?

you dont even work on cars, you are an engineer/designer...

An incorrect observation and an erroneous conclusion.

Unless your Norman.

Exactly

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...

What brands, engines and models do you have in mind?

Ditto!

Absolutely correct, as pertains to MB diesels..

1998. Tough lesson about women, joined & quit a mild cult, dropped out of grad school, picked up cigarettes.

On the plus side, bought a Mamiya C330, made some super photographs with it, began to realize the military industrial complex wasn't what I was looking for.

W126 Diesels. Cars to keep forever.
 

The W126 1991 350SD are known as the infamous "Rod Bender" diesel, which were, for a time, in the early - mid 1990s covered by a "secret" MB warranty that allowed for a dealer installed new, complete crate engine. If you can find a documented one of them, you should be OK.


Do a search here on "rod bender" for more information...they had a basic design flaw.

Curiously, the 1991 350SD rod benders did not ALL have day to day evidence in real life, of this problem, in driving. About maybe half of them actually did.
Due diligence is needed to snag one of them that are OK. I personally would not touch one.

But when the ovaling started, on the bad ones, and then you would discover that you were burning a LOT of oil, well, at THAT point, it was too late...

'91 is the last year of the W126 in the USA, and all the other problems were pretty much sorted as the car was first sold here as an '81 model.


The most durable and utterly bulletproof W126ers are the anvil reliable 1981-1985 300SD models, but those lack the interior and exterior mild styling upgrades, and such things as dual airbags, ABS, upgraded wheels, etc.


The 1986-1987 SDL ones have aluminum heads, ( I believe ) so are not quite as bullet proof.


But with any of these big diesel W126 cars, they can be, if well kept, easily achive 400,000 to 500,000 miles, and far above.


One of the members here, "SirNik84" is campaigning a 1984 300SD, whose odometer broke at 354,000 miles and he thinks it has over 400,000 miles on it now.

I love driving that car, he loaned it to me a couple of years ago. Same as my '91 560SEC AMG but with 2 more doors and lots slower but LOTS easier on the Persian Perrier.

Why is every one scared to mention the words "ROD BENDERS?

Some how I think I would be listening to Brian before taking much notice of many others.
Some one who has been "working on them for 20 years" probably has 1 years experience practiced 20 times !!

I notice that many have said that problems dont include a particular year car, just so happens thats the year of their car!! Would be interesting to hear what they say once they have traded.
I am sure there are lists on here for models with particular problems. Just not sure if there is one single list.

LOFL:D

Well, brazen and enlightened one, why don't you shine down upon us your brightness?

You called a guy an idiot while offering nothing to support your assertion.

What do you have of substance to offer?

I know I am new to MBs and diesels in general, but I picked up a 1990 350 SDL from its original owner, and other than normal wear and tear, it seems fine. Anecdotal evidence, but nonetheless.

He does not !!! , trust Brian and ME on this one ...

Avoid type two and three Air Conditioner systems....
Get the type one if you need AC..... on a car in the time period which the AC's were designated by One,Two or Three.....

tell me what you think about this one then.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-S350D-Diesel-350SD-Rare-Find-Runs-Great-Loaded_W0QQitemZ140376267964QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item20af13dcbc

Oh, dear...let's hope the high mileage indicates this vehicle may not have the typical 3.5L problems.

which were?

Here's a recent thread to read about another member considering a W140 3.5L diesel...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/269252-should-i-buy-92-300sd-w-156k-miles.html

wow, smells, looks, and walks like a duck...

The mechanic claimed that the main problem with the 350 SDL is due to head gaskets.

If you've been a frequent (or casual) reader of this forum, you'd already know that the head gasket on those engines is rarely the issue. The main problem is a deficiency in the design of the connecting rods and the potential of any one rod to bend without any notice to the owner until damage to the block occurs thereby rendering it worthless.

The lack of knowledge on the part of the mechanic is so blatantly obvious that I didn't believe I needed to expound on it.

This Thread Is GREAT !
 

Thanx for all the various inputs .

When considering buying a used Mercedes , first thing is , think about what model appeals to you then reseach it .

Example : the '81 ~ '85 W-126 Diesels are the S Klasses and are very good cars indeed , I wouldn't have one for free , I much prefer the W-123 chassis .

'77 ~ '81 W-123 & W-116 chassis have a wretched Klima I HVAC system that will give you fits .it can be upgraded but this is Spendy .

The Klima II system in the '81 > cars is vastly better but still has it's weak points .

The good people here really *do* know thier Mercedes stuff , I've been a German car Mechanic for 40 years and I'm still learning , if these folks tell you a 350D is trouble , believe it .

I know some people who own and love the 6 cylinder alloy head Diesels , I'll keep my cast iron OM617 cars until I'm dead , I don't mind the slight loss in power or fuel economy .

Take your time in choosing and test drive as many different Mercedes as you can so when a nice one pops up , you'll know .

BEWARE the " cheap ' Mercedes , it'll be the very most expensive car you'll ever own ! :eek:.

this guy and the main mercedes tech at his shop doesnt use the internet to fix cars goes by experience and repair manuals. The guy can work on ferraris. You would see how good he is if you gave him a try. he has a 350SDL that needs fixing that has high mileage that just needs a headgasket.

If you have any sense about most mechanics, they operate on the principle that they have the answer to the problem............well before they have sorted all the questions.

Most of them will make a sweeping judgment such as "the 350SDL suffers from bad head gaskets" when their data consists of one vehicle.

You are free to believe anything you wish about this "mechanic". Clearly, from all the data available on this forum, he's not the brightest bulb in the industry.

It looks like an excellent buy.

Run. As fast and far as you can.

because of the engine?

the w140 body?

or both? :D

I wouldn't avoid any Mercedes, they are all fantastic in their own way.:cool:

what about this year/model?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-E300-DIESEL-1997-E300-ELEGANCE-DIESEL-RUNS-EXCELLENT-DRIVES-PERFECT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2eaa9f4086QQitemZ200431059078QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

Here is an example of a bad 3.5l powered car:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-300SD-Rare-Diesel-Long-Sedan-Saddle-Leather-Seats_W0QQitemZ110483448839QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item19b953a407

A shame... I love that blue paint. How can I tell the rods are bent? Look at the 2nd image I attached and guess ;)

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1264298677

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1264298682

-J

Too many miles.
Waaaay too much money.
and a non-turbo
Waaaay too slow.

Next......?

To many miles for what they are asking.