'87 300 Sdl - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 11-26-2002, 09:17 PM

I currently own a 81 300 sd, been thinking about selling this car. It is a very dependable ride but I can lay my hands on an 87 300SDL for about $5500. 220,000 miles on the motor and know the person who overhauled it and it was done about 50,000 mi ago. The car is very clean. Would appreciate opinions on SD vs. SDL models.

#2 11-26-2002, 09:30 PM

My only concern is why the engine needed to be done at 170K? Seems like a good price.

vwbuge · #3 11-27-2002, 01:55 AM

What does the trap oxidizer have to do with the motor failing?

#4 11-27-2002, 02:53 AM

California spec 1985 300D, 300CD and 300SD's had trap oxidizers.

Billybob · #5 11-27-2002, 05:09 AM

Hear! Hear!
Under no circumstance should you ever consider approaching one of these vehicles!!!! You would be a fool to even waste your time looking or test driving/riding one!

The combination of engineering excellence, power plant capability, and the epitome of timeless styling will forever ruin you for the rest of your motoring life!!! You will spend an eternity searching to achieve that state of motive bliss that only this car can attain! The rush of endorphins that accompany such an experience has yet to be equaled buy modern pharmacopoeia! A fatal flaw is the feeling of fainting/vertigo that will often times overwhelm you on those days when your vision captures the exquisite silhouette as you approach these vehicles in a parking space! You are much more likely to be struck by a Ford or Honda in this state of euphoria than at any other time, (unless you are blind, deaf, and dumb traversing a mall parking lot on December 23)

Do not! I repeat Do Not! get behind the wheel on an interstate highway and drive above 75, 80, or even 90 MPH! Unless you possess superhuman self control the family and friends you've will have left behind will be posting your missing /wanted poster on milk cartons and diesel pumps across the nation for years!

Seriously though, if you like Mercedes Benz and you like diesel you’re going to love this/lust for, these vehicles. Every moment behind the wheel is indescribably delicious. The real deal - 86/87 300SDL 3.0 L six cylinder turbocharged diesel! 25+MPG at 75+ MPH all day and all night, 500+ miles between 20 gal fillups!
Yeah Baby!!! Highway Supernova!!

Good Luck!

Here's the rest of the thread and some opinions:

300SDL - Wha'ddya think?

vwbuge · #6 11-27-2002, 09:13 AM

Sorry Tank,

Never heard of any "chunks of gunk" getting into any turbo or motor to cause it to fail. I'm not a fan of the trap oxidizer but I'm not an opponent either. Never caused me to second guess my baby. 295,000 and going strong.....trap ox and all.

jay123 · #7 11-27-2002, 11:35 AM

Well, if you KNOW your SD very well and are comfortable with it, stay with it. On the otherhand, if you wish to improve on the w126 SD model, then get the SDL after, and only after, you research the vehicle as Tank has alluded to. I do feel it is very out of the norm for an SDL OM603 engine to be rebuilt with only that amount of mileage. But for the price, it sounds good.

Billybob, everytime I read your comments on the SDL, it KILLS me. I think MB should have posted that warning somewhere in the SDL manual or a sticker in the glove box.

#8 11-27-2002, 11:16 PM

Ok guys here we go. I posted this with my decision already made. I am going to buy the SDL but I am 38 years old and have been working on these cars since 14 years old. Personally, every SDL I have ever test driven has been a really solid ride. Oh, Tank, the guy that overhauled the motor was me and the guy I have worked with since age 14. The timing chain failed, broke and we know the results of that problem and what other problems it can lead to. The 87 is a solid car. If anyone is interested in an 81 dark blue with gray interior, fairly new tires. It is for sale. We rebuilt the motor on that one at 90,000 miles because of timing chain failure. Currently has approx 159,000 miles. Only things not working are cruise control, block heater, and air conditioning. (why fix a/c if sunroof works?)

vwbuge · #9 11-28-2002, 11:45 AM

As far as I can tell through research I am the second owner. I found this car in the Pocono Mtns of PA. I was trolling a used car lot looking for another Subaru when this car caught my eye. My bro-in-law was already driving an '82 SD and I loved that car. Anyway, he asked if I had looked at it. I shrugged off looking at it because it looked as if it had been sitting for a while. (flat tire, dirty) We took it for a ride anyway. I looked in the glove box and found a TON of maint. records. The car was originally sold in San Juan Capistrano, CA !!!!!!!!!!! All dealer serviced to 100,000. I had to fool with the ALDA to regain some power. The car has been running like a top ever since. I'll never tell what I paid for it. Now the car is a daily driver from March through November. Pennsylvania winters are hell on a car.

#10 11-28-2002, 01:24 PM

I drive my California car 12 months a year, when I get road salt on it, I leave it on for a few days (it looks neat), then take it to the do-it-yourself car wash and give it a thorough wash on the outside and underside. I don't have any rust problems and it's been through about 6 NJ winters.

suginami · #11 11-28-2002, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vwbuge
Sorry Tank,

Never heard of any "chunks of gunk" getting into any turbo or motor to cause it to fail. I'm not a fan of the trap oxidizer but I'm not an opponent either. Never caused me to second guess my baby. 295,000 and going strong.....trap ox and all.

VWbuge, did you ever watch Saturday Night Live when they had the Hanz and Franz skit, where they would dress up in muscle suits and talk like Arnold Schwarzenegger? One of them would say, "listen to me now and believe me later". You can listen to me now and believe me later, but you do have one of the cars that was originally fitted with the trap oxidizer, and I'd take it to the dealer to see if it has been replaced. The dealer even may pay for it.

The Trap Oxidizer problem is real and damage happens just as Tank described.

I coincidentally was looking at my past issues of the Star Magazine, and last night just happened to read an article in the March / April 1997 issue about the infamous Trap Oxidizer.

Frank King, the long time technical editor of the Star Magazine, wrote a long two page article on this Trap Oxidizer.

He basically says that it was introduced in 1985 on California versions of models with 617.592 and 617.591 diesel engines, and was also done in 1986 to California cars with 603.961 engines. In 1987, use of trap oxidizers was extended to cars with diesel engines 603.960 and 603.961 in all 50 states.

"The component was a filter known as a trap oxidizer, designed to meet California emission standards. Located between the exhaust manifold and the turbocharger, the trap oxidizer is a monolithic labyrinth of ceramic rods housed in a steel cylinder.

Due to the extreme range of temperatures to which the trap oxidizer was subjected and the vibration inherent in the application, the ceramic monolith did not have the expected service life. Sometimes pieces of the ceramic, ranging in size from dust to chunks, broke off and were blown into the turbocharger. The abrasive ceramic particles could damage the turbo blades. As a result, Mercedes-Benz instituted an extended exchange or warranty policy. Owners of affected cars were protected from repair expense due to trap oxidizer failures.

Mercedes Benz developed a new device called an oxidation catalyst with sufficient durability to replace the trap oxidizer.

Owners who have had the job done report a noticeable performance improvement after installation of the oxidation catalyst, probably due to the decrease in exhaust back pressure."

vwbuge · #12 11-29-2002, 03:58 PM

I have ridden in and drove both cars and the difference is abrly noticeable. The owners manual says the cars are within 3-4 HP of one another. But we all know about that deal. As far as my car....the trap was replaced in January of 96 by the dealer under the factory program.

jay123 · #13 11-30-2002, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TANK
As far as my car....the trap was replaced in January of 96 by the dealer under the factory program."

Hey Tank, I thought you sold your car? Did you buy another SDL??