Years to Avoid? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

markho · #1 01-22-2010, 02:26 PM

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

honeydew · #2 01-22-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markho

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.

leathermang · #3 01-22-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeydew

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

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

winmutt · #4 01-22-2010, 02:53 PM

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

oldsinner111 · #5 01-22-2010, 03:02 PM

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.

gradyg3 · #6 01-22-2010, 07:15 PM

[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.

andersbenz · #7 01-22-2010, 08:24 PM

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

i-osprey · #8 01-23-2010, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andersbenz

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

LOFL

JimmyL · #9 01-22-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

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 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....

smitherz · #10 01-22-2010, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

1990 thru 94 S Class diesels...

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?

Jim B. · #11 01-23-2010, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitherz

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?

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.

Skid Row Joe · #12 01-23-2010, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

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.

Ditto!

Absolutely correct, as pertains to MB diesels..

moon161 · #13 01-23-2010, 12:51 AM

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.