85 SD v 86 SDL - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JCSC2 · #16 08-14-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashedd

An airbag '85 will have the telescoping wheel... very important if your very tall like me. Most people prefer the '85 for the lower rear diff. I will say it's a big improvement on highway driving. The short 126's also seems more nimble, I also think they look better. But a long one is best for passengers.

Wish my 85 300SD had the telescopic wheel. It has ABS but no airbag. IMO my 85 300SD has plenty of get up and go. I grew up in 240D's and a turbo 617 engine is a rocket compared to those. LOL!

Beastie · #17 08-15-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCSC2

Wish my 85 300SD had the telescopic wheel. It has ABS but no airbag. IMO my 85 300SD has plenty of get up and go. I grew up in 240D's and a turbo 617 engine is a rocket compared to those. LOL!

Ditto for my 85. Would love to have telescoping steering column. I do likethe SDl's though. Not to hijack the thread but what are the pros and cons to the SDL model years.

t walgamuth · #18 08-15-2011, 11:12 AM

Having had a couple of 603 (not 803

)motors and nearly 20 616 or 617 motors I will always choose the older motor design. You give up power, economy and smoothness but you gain an engine that is reliable as an anvil once put right.

ashedd · #19 08-15-2011, 11:51 AM

Ya I've heard those 803's are hit or miss

Zacharias · #20 08-15-2011, 12:23 PM

I'm starting to think that the OM617 vs OM603/606 debate is heading the way of synethetic vs. dino, tire brands, what else?

sixto · #21 08-15-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastie

Not to hijack the thread but what are the pros and cons to the SDL model years.

IIRC there are federal and California '86 SDLs, all 87 'SDLs meet California specs. I don't know the specific differences but they're limited to the emissions systems. Maybe federal 86s were not originally equipped with trap oxidizers. '90 and '91 SDLs have the 3.5 liter engine and a slew of evolutionary 126 upgrades.

Sixto
87 300D

Beastie · #22 08-16-2011, 09:08 AM

Good to know, thanks Sixto. Other than the head issue it sounds like an SDL in good shape and the right price would be a no brainer.

ForcedInduction · #23 08-16-2011, 09:40 AM

Its pretty easy, the 603 and 606 are better in every way than the 617 except in two subjective points: Availability and purchase price.
The exception is the 3.5, that thing was an outright mistake.

1980sd · #24 08-16-2011, 01:26 PM

W116. Get in and drive...

ashedd · #25 08-16-2011, 01:34 PM

Delo

sixto · #26 08-16-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashedd

Delo

Aren't there enough oil threads as it is?

Sixto
87 300D

pwogaman · #27 08-16-2011, 10:47 PM

The 86 model year realized the center third brake light which the SD does not have, but is an easy retrofit. The switches are slightly different between W126 gen I and gen II. The gen II are like the W124s - slightly cheaper, i.e. things that clip together with plastic tabs versus tiny screws and nuts and bolts. Even the size of the connectors on switches are different as well as is the wire gage. I've always viewed the W126 gen I components as slightly more robust, despite their being not as advanced.

Beastie · #28 08-16-2011, 11:30 PM

[QUOTE=pwogaman;2772191]The 86 model year realized the center third brake light which the SD does not have, but is an easy retrofit. The switches are slightly different between W126 gen I and gen II. The gen II are like the W124s - slightly cheaper, i.e. things that clip together with plastic tabs versus tiny screws and nuts and bolts. Even the size of the connectors on switches are different as well as is the wire gage. I've always viewed the W126 gen I components as slightly more robust, despite their being not as advanced.[/QUOT
No I understand and agree. Every time I crack a wrench on ( sorry ) any German car of a bygone era I am amazed at the engineering and fore thought.