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#16
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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
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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
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Quote:
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
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The wheelbase on the SDL is 121.5" I believe. What is it on the SD?
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#20
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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
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Quote:
Sixto 91 300SE 87 300SDL 83 300SD |
#22
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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 |
#23
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Quote:
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#24
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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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1995 E320 Sportline Wagon "Bernard" black on black leather http://i.imgur.com/BdZ7jM3.png |
#25
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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" black on black leather http://i.imgur.com/BdZ7jM3.png |
#26
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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.
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#27
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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
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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.
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1995 S-350 370K + SOLD 1952 220B Cabriolet 39K kilometers + SOLD 1998 E300D 310K + 2012 E350 BlueTec 120K |
#29
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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.
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#30
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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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