My 1987 300D was no-op since I bought it 4 months ago. I fixed some minor issues, registered and drove it last week and it is a completely different car than the 300SDL. They have the same OM603 engine but the 300D performs like a gas car, quick off the mark and very peppy. The SDL is like a snug from stop but they seem to perform the same on the open road.

Anyone with both cars and can relate to my observations? SDL is too heavy or something wrong with it? Any comments is welcome.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

The ALDA has been adjusted on the 300D, it only affects off the line power, once you are on the open road it would feel the same adjusted or not.

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Live simply so others can simply live



07 E350 sport Wife's Daily
01 E320 sport My Daily
00 C230 Kompressor Our back up (new Arrival)

87 300D Turbo my Daily for 8 yrs. Selling to neighbor

82 GMC Jimmy (K5) 6.2 Diesel (my Wheeler)
73 Roadrunner 340ci My very first car, still own it

The 126 is a much heavier car with a longer wheelbase. In my limited experience behind the wheel of SDLs, they are slower and less agile than 124s. I have never driven a 126 on a freeway so I also have never made a long trip in one. The turning radius of a 124 is one of the best features of the car.

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87 300D 265Kmi
Factory rebuilt crate 603.96x engine at 200K

Different cars, but all things being equal, the SDL weighs more and has a longer wheelbase. Both of these characteristics will cause a noticeable difference in off-line performance and handling favoring the w124 over the w126

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Stable Mates:
1987 300TD 310K mi (Hans)
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee OM642 165k mi (Benzrokee)

Take the ALDA off the SDL and then compare. An SDL without an ALDA is not slow.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 157k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 175k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 144k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 70k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

I like my cars stock. I just want an opinion on the comparison.

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

Then adjust or shim the ALDA....that way it's still stock. To get a fair comparison, you need to optimize the SDL.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 157k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 175k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 144k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 70k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife