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  #16  
Old 10-18-2002, 11:10 PM
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sixto,

I have reason to believe that many of the 350's failed by/at 100Kmi and were replaced under warranty. I am familiar with only one 350 owner, and this was the case - MB warranty at 100Kmi.

If you are shocked by 20% needing new heads, consider the head gaskets for M104 engines just outside warranty - 50-75Kmi is COMMON (some even fail in warranty!). M103's need head gaskets every 150Kmi or so. Then there are the failing evaporators. The newer cars seem worse than the older cars in this area. At least the 124's are straightforward, 140's are a major pain. I've even seen 96 E320's need new evaporators.

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Brian Toscano
  #17  
Old 10-19-2002, 03:54 PM
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While my experience may not be consistent with others, here is what my impressions are with my 350 SDL.

1. Incredible ride
2. Large car handling
3. Very, very good low end torque for a diesel of its vintage (no, it doesn't move like that 99 E300 TD zooming up from behind me like I was standing still yesterday)
4. Low resale value associated with the 603.970 engine in it
5. High reliability of all other components
6. Ease of maintenance

I and several others have noted the extreme amounts of coked on oil in the crossover pipe and intake manifold nearest the #1 cylinder intakes. This is apparently caused by the crankcase ventilation from the valve cover into the intake tract at about the same location as the EGR injection ... literally, several ounces. Mine would occasionally ingest something that would come out the exhaust as a brown cloud with momentary pause in power ... I can only assume it was chunks of this going into the combustion chamber ... maybe it was this phenomenom causing the early failures? Don't know.

Recommendation? Find a 350 SDL and get a great price and take a chance (removing all the gunk) on it. Better yet - find one with a blown engine and get a super great price, replace the engine!
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George Stephenson
1991 350 SDL (200K and she ain't bent, yet)
former 2002 E320 4Matic Wagon - good car
former 1985 300 CD - great car
former 1981 300 TD - good car
former 1972 280 SEL - not so good car
a couple of those diesel Rabbits ...40-45 mpg
  #18  
Old 10-20-2002, 12:34 AM
sixto's Avatar
smoke gets in your eyes
 
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Location: Eastern TN
Posts: 20,841
Quote:
Originally posted by TANK
The sdl however, is a drastic difference and tons of room even by today's standards. SD's sure are great cars, don't get me wrong, but I looked at an 83' and it had minimal room inside. I was dis-appointed. Are all sd's created equal in this regard?? Why such a drastic difference anyway?
The difference between SD and SDL as far as interior room goes is limited to rear seat legroom -- the SDL (and the other Ls for that matter) provide around 4" more rear legroom. That's it. It's drastic but that's it. I don't know if you can move the front seats further back in an L. I can't imagine anyone but Shaq would need to.

I compared on paper the interior and exterior dimensions of a SWB 126 and a 2002 Accord. The 126 fives you more wheelbase and more trunk. Those are the only dimensions that are not within a half inch! There must be hidden corners in the 126 to make is full size and the Accord an intermediate.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD
  #19  
Old 10-20-2002, 01:05 AM
TANK
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The wheelbase on the SDL is 121.5" I believe. What is it on the SD?
  #20  
Old 10-20-2002, 01:45 PM
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I agree with tank.

My dad had an '81 300 SD (that he put 399,000 miles on), and the back seat has surprisingly little legroom, especially considering the size of the car.

My dad was 6'5" tall, and had the seat in its rearmost position, which leaves virtually no space behind it.
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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
  #21  
Old 10-20-2002, 05:55 PM
sixto's Avatar
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Quote:
Originally posted by TANK
The wheelbase on the SDL is 121.5" I believe. What is it on the SD?
I think it's SD 115.6" vs SDL 121" I'll repost if the manuals say something very different.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD
  #22  
Old 10-20-2002, 07:59 PM
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some very interesting comments here...about the 3.5 diesel and the 140 chasis car.....yes the 140 is heavy...but slow...i don't think so...if you are ok with the acceleration of a 86-87 SDL(which the 140 diesel will out run) and most definitly if you can live with an 81-85 SD acceleration you will LOVE the 140 diesel's "intense"(comparatively) power

in regard to MB skimping on the wiring...I see no difference in the quality of the wiring...and the 140 probably has twice as much as the 126

Agreed the early 3.5's were not as tough as the cast iron engines of the early 80's....but I assume everyone has driven the two engines back to back...is there REALLY and comparison?...and thats not to mention the vast amout of safety features the newer car has

so many people on this site speak about the 3.5...but I think the validity of the statements is offset by the fact that hardly anyone owns(or has owned) one...and its always "I have a friend" who owns one .......my thoughts are why aren't the friends speaking?

ditto on the 140...everyone is always dogging the 140...I am a person who had owned both 126(85 SD) and 124(92 d 2.5) prior and feel I can make commentary on both,as well as my current 140...and I wonder,after reading some of the coomments about the 140..if the person making the commentary has ever owned one..or even driven one in some cases....is there no room for innovation and technology?....I thought those were MB hallmarks

but many here don't care about airbags ,a decent stereo,better mileage from a car with better acceleration,less smoke,noise ,safety features, or other amenities I guess

my .002

Warren
1992 300SD
Columbus Ohio
Attached Thumbnails
300 SDL or 350SDL, that is the question!-1992-300sd-3-.jpg  
  #23  
Old 10-20-2002, 09:47 PM
TANK
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Quote:
yes the 140 is heavy...but slow...i don't think so...if you are ok with the acceleration of a 86-87 SDL(which the 140 diesel will out run)
TD, you have any spec's on this? You are one of the most experiences MB diesel people I am aware of..I seriously doubt the 140 will outrun the sdl especially considering the extra weight. The .5 extra liters makes very little difference in power especially vs weight ratio.
  #24  
Old 10-20-2002, 10:03 PM
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uh oh!

check this one out on ebay

should we tell the poor souls bidding on it?

funny the seller says "These are getting harder to find and rarer!" i wonder why? they are all in the junk yards!
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  #25  
Old 10-20-2002, 10:08 PM
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woops!

forgot to paste the link!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1868879468

it is a pretty car though. gorgeous. those seats look so comfy!

eric
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1995 E320 Sportline Wagon "Bernard"
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http://i.imgur.com/BdZ7jM3.png
  #26  
Old 10-20-2002, 10:33 PM
CJ CJ is offline
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The exra lenth in the SDL is noticable in the rear, but then again i you have the seat up a few inches you can have the same effact.
  #27  
Old 10-20-2002, 11:51 PM
TANK
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Sure, same effect, only problem is to get there you will have your nose pressed against the windshield.

ps the dimensions are as follows - length 208.1in, width 71.7in, wheelbase 121.1in.

ps 1974 TLJ Special Edition THE ONLY ONE IN EXISTENCE!!! Wow! Where did you find this??
  #28  
Old 10-21-2002, 12:13 AM
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Mercedes specs on the 1995 S-350:
0-60 mph in 12.5 seconds
0-100km/h in 13.2 seconds

My test are 0-60 mph in 11.5-12.0 seconds. Top speed by GPS is 118 mph. Car is slow from standstill until turbo builds, which is pretty quick, then acceleration is very adequate and linear up to about 100 mph then slows until top end.
I don't know the specs on the older diesels and have never driven one.
Attached Thumbnails
300 SDL or 350SDL, that is the question!-speed.jpg  
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1995 S-350
370K + SOLD
1952 220B Cabriolet
39K kilometers + SOLD
1998 E300D
310K +
2012 E350 BlueTec
120K
  #29  
Old 10-21-2002, 12:32 AM
TANK
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CJ has a book with the specs. He knows quite a bit about the diesels as well

He lent me one of his books and I believe the SDL "book" specs are neck and neck with your figures OLD South (11.5-12.5)from my memory). This would surprise me considering your extra weight. Unless the 3.5 is putting out more horses than its rating..which is possible. I am going to do a top speed run as soon as my car leaves the shop this week as everything will be in excellent condition. I will try to get a digital camera and post.
  #30  
Old 10-21-2002, 12:44 AM
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If you have a handheld GPS, take it along with you. I have found that Mercedes speedometers are about 2-3 mph fast at high speeds. My car will get to an indicated 121 mph but actually is only 118 mph.

Another thing to consider is the drag co-efficient which is probably lower on the 140.

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1995 S-350
370K + SOLD
1952 220B Cabriolet
39K kilometers + SOLD
1998 E300D
310K +
2012 E350 BlueTec
120K
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