I'm searching high and low (already spoke to PeachParts) and am told that the Behr radiator I need for my 86 300SDL is no longer produced and not available. I've also tried multiple online parts stores that sell MB parts, have called the local MB dealer parts dept. and have my mechanic looking too.

The Behr model supposedly fits the 86 and 87 SDL and also the 90 and 91 350SD/SDL. I'm having a really hard time understanding why this part is just not available. I know that these cars weren't produced in great numbers, but come on...

Anyone know of a source? If not for a Behr (which is preferred), a quality aftermarket would work, I guess.

__________________
1986 300SDL - 116K
2014 Prius Plug-in (company car)
2014 Q5 TDI (wife's car)

Oh, I did find two POSSIBLE sources on the east coast that I will have to call tomorrow morning (I'm in CA). I can't tell from their website whether or not they are manufactured by Behr or someone else...

__________________
1986 300SDL - 116K
2014 Prius Plug-in (company car)
2014 Q5 TDI (wife's car)

Long shot but have you tried 1-800-radiator?

Not cheap but here's one on eBay.

Brand New Genuine Radiator for Mercedes 300SDL 350SD 350SDL | eBay

__________________

thats rather odd that peachparts doesn't have one.

the haus of arizona has them listed for $460.. holy carp

parts geek doesn't even list one. Weird.

W124 300D is thankfully $190.... phew...

Yea, I think I'm screwed. I just spent 30 minutes on the phone with the store that's listed on eBay (BuyAutoParts), was successfully able to talk them down to $535, then found out they don't have any available (even though eBay says they have 10)!

I guess I'll be on the phone first thing in the morning with haus in Arizona and the few east coast vendors that look like they may have them.

Unfortunately, the neck on mine cracked when my mechanic was checking it out, and the car is dead in the water until I can find and get a replacement. I don't blame him, because I know that this cracking is an issue with the old MB radiators (same thing happened on my 84 300SD a few years ago). I'm just really frustrated that it's proving so difficult to find this part!

__________________
1986 300SDL - 116K
2014 Prius Plug-in (company car)
2014 Q5 TDI (wife's car)

http://**************.com/node/710 Be sure to do this mod when you get the new one

EDIT: oops, I guess mercedes source is blocked on here, its his radiator neck reinforcement kit, which you probably wouldn't have to buy but could do yourself.

__________________
Current: 1975 450SEL, 83 300D, 88 Yugo GVX, 90 300D OM603 swap, 91 F150 4.6 4v swap, 93 190E Sportline LE 3.0L M104 swap, 93 190E Sportline LE Megasquirt, 03 Sprinter, 06 E500 4Matic wagon.

That link didn't work. Could you PM it to me, or e-mail it to chris at giles1 dot com?

__________________
1986 300SDL - 116K
2014 Prius Plug-in (company car)
2014 Q5 TDI (wife's car)

Any reason a generic radiator of the correct size from summit, jegs, etc. couldn't work?

__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Rock Auto dot com has one left in stock for $280.

__________________
Chad
2013 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL

I'd be okay with an aftermarket, as long as it's a quality part. I just don't want any China-made parts. Anyone have any positive experiences with any of them (for any model MB diesel)?

__________________
1986 300SDL - 116K
2014 Prius Plug-in (company car)
2014 Q5 TDI (wife's car)

I have a Nissens radiator in my SDL and it works fine. Not sure where you can get one though since daw_two bought it before he sold it to me.

EDIT: The one at Rock Auto is made in Canada

__________________
Chad
2013 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL

I have seen used aftermarket brass W126 radiators. Maybe one can be used by moving the upper hose connection to the other side.

Custom radiator. Once got a quote of about $400.

Have repaired a broken neck by gluing (JB Weld epoxy) a piece of copper tubing cut in half over the entire neck. Replaced hose using two hose clamps.

I wouldnt be too concernd about getting aBehr radiator,i just bought one for my 87 wagon.It was made in South Africa and was a full 1/2" shorter top to bottom than the original,i had to shim up the bottom mounting in order to get the clips to secure the top of the radiator to the upper support,had to bend some of the mountings to get things to line up.I think any aftermarket radiator would be as good if not better and probably for less $$$.
I would have sent the Crap back but i needed the car running as i had sold my sedan and the darn Chevy truck burns way too much gas to be a sensible daily driver!

__________________
Red Green "This is only temporary,Unless it works!"

97 E300D 157000 miles
87 300TD ?141k? miles

I checked Jegs and Summit...they don't have anything. Also checked radiator dot com and they are supposedly going to have someone call me back. I have a bunch of tabs open in my browser for online vendors that I will call tomorrow morning. The haus in Arizona, by the way, has them back ordered. Anything that's not immediately available isn't going to work for me, unfortunately.

Thank you for all of the tips and insight. I'll let you know what I find so the next time an SDL needs a radiator, the options will be more clear.

__________________
1986 300SDL - 116K
2014 Prius Plug-in (company car)
2014 Q5 TDI (wife's car)

305.43$

Radiator Behr 1265005303

__________________