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  #46  
Old 10-22-2002, 01:16 AM
turbodiesel
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Yes, I did own a 1991 350SD (126) and currently own a 1987 300SDL (126). The 350SD with 215K miles would blow the doors off my 300SDL. It felt more like a gas car than a diesel. I have never driven a 140 diesel so I couldn't tell you.

  #47  
Old 10-22-2002, 01:55 AM
TANK
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You mean it blew the doors of your sdl when the engine exploded right? Just Funin. All kid'n aside, with the reputation I have heard from most concerning these cars, I wouldn't own one if it had a 0-60 of 10 seconds flat. A second or two here or there really makes no difference to me and I didn't buy my diesel to win drag races. If I want to do that I will go out and buy one of those viper beating Celicas!! I definitely wanted a diesel that could get out of its own way. If I bought a 140, I wouldn't really care if it were slower than my sdl either, I just like the looks of those cars more than anything.

ps I also liked the updated leather interior of those 91-350's.
  #48  
Old 10-22-2002, 09:07 AM
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Location: Columbus Ohio
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Quote:
with the reputation I have heard from most concerning these cars
you should watch rumors tank...many times they are just that and no more......there you have the word from Turbodiesel about acceleration of the two....but really wasn't every evolution of the MB diesel much faster than the one it replaced?

and you guys should really take the time to drive a 140 diesel....then give your opinion


Warren
1992 300SD 150K
Columbus Ohio
Attached Thumbnails
300 SDL or 350SDL, that is the question!-1992-300sd.jpg  
  #49  
Old 10-22-2002, 12:02 PM
TANK
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Quote:
but really wasn't every evolution of the MB diesel much faster than the one it replaced?
Usually, but not necessarily. Apparently TXBill had a faster SD than my sdl most likely. The other exception is the added 1000 pounds of the 140. Even with 30 more horses, 1000 pounds is going to slow it down quite a bit under acceleration. So using your 3 second theory, if the 350 in the 126 ran even 10.5 seconds at best, that would put your car at 13 sec 0-60 at best. Top speed is a different story because the 140 is much more aero-dynamic. It may have a higher top end that the 126.

Quote:
you should watch rumors tank...many times they are just that and no more......
I think this forum is pretty well informed and has concluded for the most part to stay away from the 3.5 for documented reasons.

Quote:
there you have the word from Turbodiesel about acceleration of the two.
Not quite, TD was referencing the 126 body style, not the much heavier 140 which you are driving. Although I would take TD's word for it, this is just one persons opinion, whereas the opinion and experiences of the problems with the 3.5 diesel motor are well documented and numerous. Again, I think it is a beautiful car but would shy away from buying it because of this.
  #50  
Old 10-22-2002, 12:20 PM
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TANK

an interesting point here(that I made earlier)...there don't seem to be a lot of owners of the 3.5(or 140 for that matter)on this list...so much of the what is said speculation...without knowing how a car was cared for etc I think its very hard to make a broad judgement..especially when the person speaking never owned one of the vehicle...also interesting here is that there are owners here who love both their 140 and/or 3.5 litre diesels
.....in regard to the 1000 weight difference..I think a shortwheelbase140(as all the US diesels were) was about 700 lbs heavier than the 126 it replaced...I also recall that the horsepower ratings went up in 1992 with the new bodystyle...and if you have driven 126 and 140 back to back you will know that while much heavier the 140 is actually a more agile car than the 126 was...MB engineering

Warren
1992 300SD 150K
Columbus Ohio
Attached Thumbnails
300 SDL or 350SDL, that is the question!-1992-300sd.jpg  
  #51  
Old 10-22-2002, 12:24 PM
TANK
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I would agree with that. It probably handles very nicely.
  #52  
Old 10-22-2002, 12:30 PM
TANK
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Here's is some of the documentation of which I was speaking with links included:


90 350sdl
I look forward to reading all of your collective input and
knowledge so that I may garner a more complete knowledge of my current
vehicles. I have lurked on this list for only a few day however, I have read
the archives. Introductions completed I have a few questions to pose to you
the experts. My 350 has a rough idle, and shutters if I run the rpm to 1000 to
1500 then pulled my foot off rapidly. This quickly recovers, but is annoying.
I am not yet sure of what the oil consumption rate is however, the old owner
said " it does use oil between changes". It is my fear that I will be the
victim of the sad 350 story. Not being good at being a victim, I seek your
collective advice as to which is the best way to proceed. My thoughts are to
rebuild the engine. I understand from archived data that the number one rod
tends to bend. There was also an illusory post as to modified rods available.
I further understand, that Mercedes has a higher tensile strength head bolts
and an improved head gasket, both of which I have obtained part numbers for.
Does anyone know about these improved/modified rods. Thank you and hopefully I
may be able to someday answer some questions that some of you may have.



SUGANAMI:

All of the 350 SD(L) engines were bad.

It was a defective engine design.

I would avoid them like the plague.

Here is a link:

http://www.mercedesproblems.com/mbproblems_1.asp

PSFRED:
The 350 has a reputation for fragility, and several members have had done die at low milage. The rods bend, causeing severe wear on the piston bores, causing the engine to clank and blow oil. This appears to happen, literally, for one day to the next in normal operation.

MB has never admitted to a problem, but has replaced engines under warrenty. The rods (and the head) have been re-designed, and this appears to have fixed the problem.

That said, I know of at least on 1992 350 SDL with 275,000 miles on it, single owner, with no oil consumption and no work, so there you are.

The problem is that a rebuilt will set you back a cool $5000 for parts, and takes 50 hrs of labor, by the book. Replacement short block is about $9000 from MB, so this ain't a cheap fix if one blows.

you pays your money and takes your chances......

TXBILL:
LOL you must not get around the internet very much! Go to www.mercedesproblems.com and read all of the posts there from people with the 3.5 diesel engine. Also check out the Mercedes-Benz newsgroup on usenet, alt.auto.mercedes .The MB mechanics and service writers you have asked are either lying or don't remember. The story of the dreaded 3.5 is known far and wide, at least on the net. search under the other models this engine came in, the 350SD, the 300SD, and the S350. You will find way more than four. I counted 18.
  #53  
Old 10-22-2002, 01:03 PM
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guys guys guys, why does it matter? Tank, you are happy with your car, turn: you are happy with yours. You both bought your cars for differant reasons, and you both are very happy with the outcome. Maybe turn's engine will blow, maybe(and hopefully) it wont. Maybe Tank's head will crack, maybe(hopefully) it wont. Arguing about statistics means very little to personal opinion.
R
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  #54  
Old 10-22-2002, 01:12 PM
TANK
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Calm down RG5384 sounds like you are breaking up a fight? This isn't a fight, it is spirited debate? I don't see anything wrong with that. But then again, I like to watch crossfire too.
  #55  
Old 10-22-2002, 01:40 PM
oldsouth's Avatar
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Well, if my engine blows I hope it is at 120 mph instead of just tooling around town.
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1998 E300D
310K +
2012 E350 BlueTec
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  #56  
Old 10-22-2002, 01:47 PM
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already have a new engine(complete longblock installed at my MB dealer about 50K miles ago).....engine didn't blow but was burning oil...who knows..I could still have driven the car lt was..

I have had several "talks" with the regional MB rep who has told me he has never seen anyone have problems with an MB dealer fix of this engine

his comments to me were that people were neglecting maintenance on this car ..and the engine was not forgiving of improper maintenance

but truthfully all in all the 140 is not a vehicle that you want to own if you are not going to keep up with the maintenance..regardless of what engine it has

interesting in your post Tank...you quote someone who has never heard anything from the service at the MB dealer

two questions:

1. The car should have had records..unless someone chose not to look over the records why would they buy a car that has a bad engine?..it had to be documented in the records...if the car needs an engine the records should have reflected..any MB dealer can look up records of another

2. What happened to a PPI.?..unless the car car is starmark already..I don't think its a good idea to buy anything over 10-15K without one

Warren
1992 300SD 150K
Columbus Ohio
Attached Thumbnails
300 SDL or 350SDL, that is the question!-1992-300sd.jpg  
  #57  
Old 10-22-2002, 01:49 PM
TANK
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I think you got a good one Old South! It is strange how some of them run with no problems. And you have put yours to the ultimate test. I would doubt you will have any problems. Have you owned your car from day one? Again, I really like the 140 body style and am not trying to wish anything bad on anyone who owns one. I was just enjoying a good debate. I guess it's easy to ruffle some feathers when you are talking about cars, especially when it's one YOU own.

Quote:
I have had several "talks" with the regional MB rep who has told me he has never seen anyone have problems with an MB dealer fix of this engine
Also-this I would believe. I haven't heard of any of them blowing up after the rebuild.
  #58  
Old 10-22-2002, 02:08 PM
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Do the 140 SDs have a 4-speed or 5-speed transmission?

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD
  #59  
Old 10-22-2002, 02:14 PM
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While I was at the dealer last week, my A-number-one parts man looked up the dealer price for a new engine for the 350.....

$20500 WOW!

I mean, come on. It's not a Lycoming IO-540!
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'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
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'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
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  #60  
Old 10-22-2002, 02:17 PM
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Yes, I bought it new in May of 1995. Special ordered it. Took about 3 months to come in. It is supposedly one of the last ones shipped over to the states. I have always ran it hard. Opened it up on the way home from the dealership. Had to see what it would do. If I were in the market for a used 140 diesel, I think I would look for a late 94 or 95 model.


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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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