86 vs. 87 300D
 

Every now and again I see a 1986 300D for sale. From what I can gather, this could be the case if someone purchased the car via the Euro delivery program (I don't think there was a 1986 300D sold in the US market). Does anyone know anything about these cars, specifically how, if at all, they differ from the 87 300D?

They're most likely naturally aspirated OM603 diesel engines. Most 86 300Ds were non-turbo engines. That's about it. Everything else is the same. If it is truly an 86 300D, it most likely has the euro goodies as well.

Mine has a build date in 86...

My 1987 300TD was actually built in 3/86! Go figure.

None such as an 1986....... It's misquoted.

Same as the 2006 E320 CDIs manufactured in; 2005.

Plenty of 1986 model year 300Ds were built but none for the US market. Many of the 87 model year US market 300D turbos were manufactured in 1986. If it really is an 86 model year 300D turbo (rare even in Europe) it'll have a 2 piece exhaust manifold unlike the US market 3 piece.

The w124 came out in 85 in Europe, and some made it over here as imported cars. Likely manual climate control etc from euro land. Most US 86 300D's are actually early build date 87's...

Wouldn't touch an 86 without a new headgasket, minimally.

Why not?

There were a handful of revisions in the HG until mid production run of the 87 MY (and a few after that as well). I would wager that the majority of people who assumed they had a cracked head (and didnt test it) really had a hg failure between #1 and #2.