Hello, everybody,
I'm a huge fan of diesel and I have been looking at MB diesels quite a bit lately. I have never owned one, but have been seriously considering getting one as my next car.

There are two that I am currently torn between. In no particular order, the first is this one:
1987 Mercedes 300d pics+video diesel WVO 25MPG cit 33MPG hw grease car
It is an '87 300D with 196,000 miles and has a lot of customization. Some of those include:
Stainless water filter 2m
Fuel Heater (heat exchanger)
Mp3 Radio
Subwoofer
New Tires and used chrome 16" Rims
Custom Front bumper and grille
Transmission cooler
2 7" Fans for coolers
Intercooler + piping + custom aluminum Welding
Wind deflectors underneath the engine and transmission.
Tinted windows
Polk Speakers all around
Whole Car was Painted Last Year.
Projector front Headlights
Smoked tail lights
I don't really care about the cosmetic or audio improvements. The car is absolutely beautiful (click the link to see the pics, it's really nice). The guy is asking $5,800.

The second is an '86 SDL with, I think, 284000 miles on it. It's in good enough condition considering it's an '86 (interior is fine, minimal rust); it definitely isn't a tuner car like the first one. The guy is asking $3,500 for it.

Now, a little background about me: I have nearly zero automotive know-how, but am most willing to learn as I go. My wife and I work at the same place and she has her own car, so it's alright if one of them is down while the other is being worked on.

There are a few thoughts and questions I would like to pose to you.
1. I did a little reading up and found that SDLs can sometimes develop terminal issues. That is my biggest issue with that car.
2. Which do you think is a better deal? The 300D with about 100k fewer miles, several cosmetic customizations that I really don't care about and a higher price tag, or the 300 SDL having higher miles, a lower price tag, and being non-modified?
3. Will the customizations of the first car make it difficult to find replacement parts for?
4. Are either of them right for me considering my lack of automotive knowledge? Am I biting off more than I can chew?

The car I chose will become not only the daily driver, but also the car we take on cross-country road trips.

I thank you in advance for your time.

both cars are fairly simple to work on, but the SDL is roomier in the engine compartment.

I'd go for the SDL, both have the same engine, same transmission, and the same propensity for failure. MAINTENANCE is critical on these cars, PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE!
Vacuum pump, radiator, fan and clutch, cooling system flush... And belt tensioner... All need to be new, and O.E. about $1500 In parts. And a good learning experience on the cars' repair

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Concerning Grease Cars. Do alot of reading up on what it takes to keep them going. From what I have read some People are very successful at it but the rest have varying dgrees of problem cased by the WVO and what they do to the WVO before it goes into the Fuel tank.

The People that often are selling thei Grease Cars are getting rid of them because they did a poor job managing the WVO.

Worse or those who did not manage the WVO and have few Mechanical Skills to keep the Car maintained even if it was using Diesel.

If you can't fix the Car yourself they can become a Money Pit really fast. I supposed the other option is if you have a well paid Job and can afford the Fixes or can Work Overtime as much as you want.

Take a look at what People are fixing on their Cars and how they Solve their Problems.
Repair Links
DIY Links by Parts Category - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum
PeachPartsWiki: Do It Yourself Articles - Mercedes Vehicles

Also note that getting good qulity Parts at a resonable price is getting more difficult. Stores like Auto Zone and so swell questionable made in China Parts. That means whey you are in a hurry to fix something you are stuck with the made in China Parts or going to the Mercedes Dealer.

When you have an Old Mercedes I think you need a Back Up Vehicle to get you to work while you wait for those Good Quality Parts you ordered from on the Internet to arrive and an Autoclub or other Membership that allows for some free Towing.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

IMHO, I have changed to BOLD italics the most important part of your orginal post in making your decision.

The SDL is the original diesel highway cruiser built by MB --- again, IMHO.

I've owned 4 or 5 300SDLs and they are indeed a very nice highway car. Fill up the tank, drive it for about 600miles, and arrive at your destination without that tired, been riding in the car all day feeling.

__________________
daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Does it not particularly matter that the SDL has about 100,000 more miles on it than the 300D?
I understand these engines last a long time, but 100,000 miles is still 100,000 miles.

Also, thank you all for your input on the matter.

Much will depend on maintenance.

Those cars have aluminum heads.

Is there any history of over heating? No way to tell, really.

The 87 has a "tuned turbo", this would raise a flag for me, not stock. How much abuse has it seen? Will the owner explain? Doubtful.

For folks that know, didn't that car come with a transmission cooler? After consulting the epc, yeah.

Also a veg system, no thanks, too many variables for us factory types.

So, an extra 100,000 miles may not be a big deal, (maintenance, maintenance, maintenance) but that depends on each car.

He's selling his coolest MB, hummmm……

EDIT:
20 psi boost is more than the factory recommends. I would think long and hard about this customized car.

The first attachment shows figures from the FSM on an 87 300 SDL.

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

The 300D was posted around on one of the forums recently, I made fun of the intercooler and turbo mods without any fuel mods. I also thought for some reason it was in Cali at the time (could be wrong). Basically you have a car with lots of go fast mods that wont go any faster. I call bs on the 33mpg hwy. Anytime I hear the word veggie, I just run away.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Old cars with high-miles on them will cost you money in terms of repair costs to keep them on the road.

Since you need to rely on it as your daily driver, you should expect to devote the time it will require in downtime as well, in keeping it on the road.

First thing I'd do is to go look at them and drive them.

That said, unless you have a quality pre-purchase inspections performed on both cars, you won't have any idea what the mechanical/operational condition or state each car is in.