8K for a 300SDL is too much, unless its low miles (~100K) and a cherry. I got 3 cars on my policy,

87 300SDL
85 300D
98 Ford Crown Vic

I'm 19 and my ins. is $2500/yr.. where do you live? I am in NJ (highest priced insurance in the US).

wow... I'm paying about 1900 a year for two cars, and a homeowner's policy, all thru State Farm.. It works out to about $155 a month. I am 43, and our rates seem to have gone up a bit over the years. My 84 SD costs a bit more to insure than my wife's 95 Subaru Legacy wagon, but then I do have full collision and comprehensive coverage on both cars.

__________________
Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

I'm 20 and in NY.

The 300SDL has ~150k miles on it, and supposedly is near mint condition. I've seen some pictures, but it's hard to say for sure.

I think I have my heart set on the 300SDL now..

the thing that worries me is that I could be inheritting someone elses headaches.

assuming i'm not, though... I do a ton of city driving, and I'm not sure if there'd be too much turbo lag for the thing to get out of its own way. are there any safe ways of improving the performance?

the car i'm looking at has that trap oxidizer, which i understand is a notoriously poor idea. Is it easy to bypass?

I think if/when I get the car, the first thing I'd want to do is flush all the fluids regardless... and bring the car to a qualified mechanic to check over everything.

Grrr... I shouldn't be so impulsive. But I'm excited!!
I'm going to call my insurance company today to get an idea of the cost of coverage. If it's a substantial improvement over what I have now, I think my mind will be made up.

Thanks guys and keep the advice coming!
~Steve

btw, turbodiesel- why'd you add a Crown Vic to the mix? just curious.

Make sure you can live with the SDL from day to day...it may feel like a yacht compared to what you have.....I used to have an 85 300SD and traded it for a 1992 300D 2.5...the 1992 was a much more enjoyable car to live with day to day for me....the 126 chasis is a great car but does not feel very agile....I can honestly say that the 140 body(although a heavier car) actually feels more agile than the 126 did
..you might want to seriously consider a 124 body car...much more in line with the handling and agility that you are used to.....and has many of the newer creature comforts also especially if you obtain one of the last of the breed
the problem is the 1990-93 2.5 turbos seem hard to find...especially one with less than 150K


Warren
1992 300SD 129K
Columbus Ohio

TDI Steve:

If your insurance company throws a fit re: turbochargers, a 300SE might be a better choice. Try contacting your insurance agent and ask if they'll run an estimate on coverage for an SD vs. an SE.

I think the 300SDL is a VERY aglile car, considering. You get in and it feels like a vault, but it can handle. I've drivin in the city (NYC) with it countless times and had no problems. Its definately not a slow car, but alot slower than your TDI. I think this is the fastest mercedes diesel they made (87 300D, 300TD, 300SDL) before the new 98 and 99 turbodiesels.

I put about 32,000 miles on my 300SDL this year (didn't drive it for 6 months, too) and with 250K miles on it, it didnt really need much. A $400 vacuum pump, and routine maintence. I will need to replace my exhaust soon though.

This car is a real keeper, I think you will be in love once you drive one.

I bought a Crown Vic out of impulse, I got it cheap and since I am still young had the desire to go 120mph any time I felt like it. I will be selling it next month. The 300SDL is the only way to go!

Good luck with your search

turbodiesel

so you think the 300SDL (126) is more agile than a 300D(124)?

comparing my 85 SD to the '92 300D there was a huge difference in agility ...to me in any case..
in regard to speed the 124 is faster car .....800 pounds less weight with the same motor.....I would say that even the 2.5 turbo could outrun an 80's SDL....now the 87 300D is truly a faster animal than either but doesn't get the MPG of the later 2.5


Warren
1992 300SD 129K
Columbus Ohio

I never pushed a 124 (only time I drove one is on a 300E testdrive) so I couldnt tell you. I know my 126 buries the 123 in the handling department.

Heh, I've been bitten by the diesel bug since before I had a license, I suppose a desire to be different, combined with a love for the open road.

With my TDI I've gotten myself in plenty of trouble =) I baby it, but at the same time I enjoy it! The thing has gotten 40mpg while going 80+mph

I think I need a bigger car though... I routinely have the car filled with people, and it gets tiresome and uncomfortable. It'll be nice hauling people around in style =)

Hmm... someone needs to give me a rundown of the technical specs (in layman's terms, lol) so I know what I'm doing. I probably will want to look into things from euro-lights to a modern turbo and intercooler.