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  #1  
Old 01-09-2002, 07:25 PM
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ajb ajb is offline
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My Stupid Question of the Week

Hi Folks, I'm a little embarassed by my lack of MB knowledge - so here goes:
In the 300 series diesels what distinguishes the models with the round headlights versus the models with the square headlights?
I always thought it was a year of manufacture issue ( early 1980's had round, mid to late 80's had square) - but this does not seem to be correct.

Naively yours,

Aivars

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Old 01-09-2002, 08:38 PM
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ajb:

MB uses a design number to designate body styles. Usually, they body is manufactured for 8-12 years.

The 300D series starts with the W115.114 chassis in 1975 (the first 5 cylinder), continued to 1977 -- the W115 started out in 1968.

The 300D engine was also used in the W116 chassis from 1975 to 1981 as the 300SD/SDL. Turbocharged somwhere in there, I'm not sure when. Most were non-turbo.

In 1977 or 1978, the W123 chassis got the 5 cylinder diesel, including a wagon variant in 1980 and a turbo version about the same time. Manufactured from 1977 to 1985.

In 1982 the W126 chassis replaced the W116 -- model was the 300SD, turbocharged 5 cylinder. Changed to the 603 six-cylinder engine in 1986, then to the 3.5L oversize version badged as the 350SD/SDL. In production til 1992.

In 1986 the W124 chassis replaced the W123 -- the diesel version came out in 1987 with the 603 six cylinder diesel. 1988 and later are the 2.5L 5 cylinder engine, all turbocharged, badged as 300D. Manufactured to 1992.

In 1993 the W140 chassis replaced the W126 chassis. The diesel version was the 350. Don't know when manufacture stopped, but not in current production.

Diesels got very scarce after the W124 chassis, and I'm not sure of the identity of the 300D series after 1992. Engines were TDI or CDI designs, not similar to the older ones.

You will get a very large range of opinions as to the best one -- my personal preference is the 1987 300D sedan for performance reasons. I'm not all that fond of big cars, but otherwise the W126 SDL is a wonderful car. The newest diesels have the best performance, but are rare in the US -- dealers couldn't get anyone to test drive them, even though they are very difficult to tell from gasoline engines except for the much better milage -- my 300D gets a little over 30 mpg on the highway, my mother's 300TE gets 22!

Peter
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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!
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  #3  
Old 01-09-2002, 10:38 PM
Joseph Bauers
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I think some of psfred's info is incorrect. He says the W116 first had the non-turbo engine and began production in 1975. I believe the W116 diesels were all turbos (at least in the American market), and their official first year of production was in 1977, when 51 units were produced. He says W116 diesel production ran from 1975-1981; actually, the run was from 1977-1980.
He says that W126 5-cylinder diesel production began in 1982; actually it began in 1979, with 3 units produced.

I got this information from W. Robert Nitske's book, Mercedes-Benz Diesel Automobiles. Just thought I'd clarify things.

Joe Bauers
bauersjo@soltec.net
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Old 01-09-2002, 11:44 PM
Mr.W123
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The W116 300SD where first sold as a '78 model year and continued until '80. The W126 continued on with the same engine from '81 to '85 model years. The new 603 6 cylinder engine replaced the 5 cylinder 617 engine for the '86 model year, and the stretched 300SDL was first offered. The W115 was the first 300D (called 240D 3.0 in Europe) which was sold as a '76 model year. For the '77 model year the W123 replaced the W115 300D.
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Old 01-10-2002, 12:24 AM
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Mr.W123 you say the streched SDL was it longer than the 126 SD ? where did they add length?
William Rogers......
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  #6  
Old 01-10-2002, 12:25 AM
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Square European-style headlights are available for your 123, ajb, and they transform the car. Although they are expensive at over $700.00 Cdn, and require the connectors to be changed to accomodate the new headlights. They cast great light. I have seen them for sale used, but I wanted good new ones, so I put up with the expense & the 8 week wait for them to come in from Germany. I have seen them available in the US; in fact, a member of this discussion group gave me a website for a company that sells them. Try a search. If your123 is nice, try treating it to a set of these headlights. They function well & look great.
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  #7  
Old 01-10-2002, 12:35 AM
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www.capitolwest.com
Check it out. Lotsa neat stuff for your Benz.
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  #8  
Old 01-10-2002, 01:34 PM
Joseph Bauers
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I'm sure Bill is right about the dates for the sale of the cars here. I was just going by Nitske's production numbers, which includes cars sold elsewhere.

Yes, in one of Nitske's books, I DID see the original turbodiesel badging--it was sort of a modernistic, italic script. I'm glad they did away with it.

Joe Bauers
bauersjo@soltec.net
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  #9  
Old 01-10-2002, 07:57 PM
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The L in the SDL (and SEL, etc) is a six-inch stretch in the rear floor pan and door. Makes the car a true wonder for long-legged rear seat passengers -- great for kids, too, since they cannot reach the front seats and poke you in the kidneys!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!
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