Good evening ladies & gentlemen:
After doing much research I have decided that I would like to buy a diesel Mercedes, specifically a 1986-1991 350/300 SDL with low miles.

Would it be realistic for me to think that I may purchase a second hand Mercedes with low miles for undr $15,000?

Thank you very much for your help with this query.

I know you can find a used diesel for under 15,000. But it might be hard to find one with low miles. I own an 87' 300sdl, paid about $7500 for it. Man what a car!! It has 224k on it and it's in excellent shape. Stay away from the 350sdl the early ones suffered from major engine failures.

__________________
87' 300sdl

Thank your for quick response.

I did a quick search and I saw the issues about the 350 SDL, but my Wife's sister's best friends brother knows a guy that ran into a diesel mechanic once at a boat show in North Dakota and he said that certain 350 SDL's can be good cars. He was told the following:
1. If the motor was replaced by Mercedes under warranty, then it has the better parts so it would be ok.
2. As long as the car has had regular oil changes at 1,500 miles it should be ok
3. You can do a check by taking a screwdriver and putting one end up to the valve cover and the other end in your ear and have somebody rev it up to 6,000 rpm you can here if it sounds like the motor will break.

I appreciate your help gentlemen.

Soccerboysocks,

Welcome to the site.

I think you are heading in the right direction, but I think oil changes at 1,500 mies are a bit extreme and will not really play any part as to a 350SDL throwing a rod. As far as revving an engine to 6000+ rpms, I doubt you would hear anything if there was a problem, especially on a diesel.

Just to be safe, go for the 300SDL..they are great cars.

Good luck!!

JC,

Thank you for the information, but my Wife's sister's best friends brother who ran into the guy is a very smart individual and the oil changes at 1,500 miles (you mispelled miles in your repy) are really good for a diesel. Have you ever changed your own oil in a diesel, you will notice that it is jet black and it turns jet black very quickly. That is due to the fact the diesels use the engine oil to filter the exhaust so that the emissions are reduced. Diesels were designed secretly to be efficient, but the goverment wants people to think they are polluters. They do this for secret reasons to keep the economy going, I read that in Readers Digest once.

Thanks!!!

this is a joke......right?
(you capitalized 'wife' in your response, used two comma splices, mispelled 'that' and 'government', and pretty much mangled a couple sentences):p

...if not, you need to just lurk for a while soccerboy.

Chris
'85 300SD

Hey Soccerboysocks,

I've got an 87 300SDL for sale right in your price range. I'm asking $14,999. It's got low mileage too, only 289,600 miles.

It's really not for sale. But if you want to give me over $14k, it's yours. I think I could find one just as good for 6-7k. I paid 7k about two years ago. My interior looks like 28,960 miles, or less. Transmission is original and is like new. It does a little over 30mpg @70. Has indicated 118mph (in Montana when there was no limit, of course).
When they get old they need little things fixed - A/C water cir pump, mono valve, cabin air fan, suspension bushing/balljoints....

But I love the car!

Yeah the car is a money pit and a pain in the ass at times, but when you're crusing down the highway at 90mph there is no comparison. I can't part with her.