If the car is all you say, i'd buy it. What can you get that offers that level of quality, safety, comfort and economy for $4500?

As Brian said, there seems to be about a 30% failure rate on these engines, which is ridiculously high, but then 70% will run to very high mileages on regular oil changes. If it checks out, go for it.

I love my '91 350SD. I bought mine with a bad engine- 2 bent rods, but no ovality in the cylinder bores. I found a nice used 3.0 OM603 for $700 and installed it in the car. I consistantly get 28+ mpg, and the car is a locomotive. I probably have a little more $$ in it than I should, but there is nothing else I want to drive.

__________________
Chief

1991 350SD

If the present owner only owned it for a year, why is he selling it? Don't forget to take it in for complete inspection . . . if it appears that the engine is fine and the rest of the car is in good condition, it just might be worth it for you.

__________________
1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002

I sold my 350 for a lot more than that. I included a 3.0L shortblock with my car though when I sold it, I figure as long as whoever owns the car has the motor on hand, the 3.5L will never fail.

They are great cars, I personally prefer the seats in a later car with leather and some of the other stuff the later cars had. I loved mine, I miss it.

__________________
68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

Love my 350 SDL also- told my wife if I drop dead just to put me in it and roll me over the bank. Sort of Texas funeral-NC stlye. Unfortunately not legal in NC. A lot of stupid laws in this country.

Agreed. They are a sweet ride. I have a 90 350SDL (with 3.0L Swap), 91 350SD (with 3.0L Swap), 87 300SDL, and another 300SDL that I just sold sans the engine/trans. Great highway machines. My wife is driving a newly acquired 87 300D, and while I love the extra power being lighter, the bigger cars seem to fit my ever growing frame. My favorite highway car I owned before the W126's was a Lincoln Town Car. These may not ride at cushy, but are solid handling cars with minimal body roll unlike the giant US land yachts of yesteryear. Still wouldn't mind finding a Lincoln with one of the BMW diesels in it. That would be a sweet ride too, but tougher to find parts for...

__________________
1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D