I'm wondering what are the diffences between these two models?

SDL is about 4 inches longer than the SD. The back doors are ~4 inches wider and the floor in the back seat is ~4 inches longer. The L stands for lang which is long in German.

P E H

I thought there may have been a difference in the engine component as well, like a different block?

Completely different engines are used in the two. The 300SD has the OM617 five cylinder turbodiesel. Cast iron block and head. About 125 horsepower. Noted for extreme durability more than anything else. Requires valve adjustments every 15K miles. The 300SDL has the OM603 six cylinder turbodiesel. Cast iron block, aluminum head. About 150 horsepower. Much smoother, quieter, and more powerful than the earlier engine. While very durable and reliable, not noted for being quite as bulletproof. Has hydraulic lifters, so no valve adjustments required. About the same fuel milage from both.

Didn't the '86 models have a SD and a SDL both with the 6 cylinder engine?

P E H

I have a 1985 300SD, I know the valves haven't been adjusted for at least 100,000 miles. When the car is started cold there is a rough idle, which will settle down if it is brought above 1000RPMs. However, once it has warmed up to operating temp. about 80C it will idle smoothly. Could this be related? How important is it to have the valves adjusted? How can you tell if they need to be?

I've heard of people never adjusting their valves... A tell tale sign of a poorly tuned motor are burnt valves. A smokey, harsh start is an indication. You will notice your fuel milage poor as well.

I just bought a 84 300d that also started rough but smoothed out after a few seconds. I took it in and had the valves adjusted and now it starts as smooth as butter! I just love these cars!

84 300d (gold with tan int)
84 300td (wife's and four kids gold with tan)
73 450sl (burgundy beauty for Sale)

The factory wheels of the -85 SD were the same since around 79-80. The factory wheels of the 86- SDL are the same from 86-about 91. The SDL have smooth lower door panels. The up to 85 SD had horizontal groves in the panels. The SDL has a painted metal piece in the center of two chrome trim pieces that are between the two pieces of glass on the rear doors. The SD has only one piece of chrome between the two door windows. Stock headlights are smoother on the SDL - but lights are easy to convert.

Those are the main external visual differences. A while back someone sold a 300SD on Ebay marketed as an 85' 300SDL (never built in 85). Even though both cars are very nice, there is a considerable blue book difference. Don't be fooled by the label on the trunk.

DLZPWR
87 300SDL 275,000

I think I saw an 84 SD being sold as an SDL on Ebay the other night. At least the trunk badge was correct.

The Ford dealership that sold me my latest SD had it in the paper as a 1989. I chalk that up to a misinterpretation of a handwritten "4"...

__________________
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

Hi all:

I am looking for a used 300 sd or sdl, and just wanted to ask anyone which years and which model would be "optimum" I love them, but have heard hearsay about the aluminum head. Is it a problem? Is it worth the extra 4 " for the sdl if there is a spectacular sd on ebay that I am looking at?

I live in New York City, and these cars are great. The are tanks, and nobody wants to steal them, plus if you drive up on Park Avenue you still see them as family cars of the old money.

I just want to tighten my focus on buying decision down to years and sd vs sdl. Any help greatly appreciated.