1. If it starts and runs, it will keep running for a while.

2. It will be wonderful when it is running.

3. When something breaks, repair or replace it (we can help you) then go to #1.

4. When you no longer want it, sell it or scrap it.

Best Regards,
Jim

The Carfax company is linked to the State DMV's and the Major Used Vehicle Auction Houses. Everytime a vehicle is registered, inspected or sold, whether through private sale or dealership sale, there is a paper trail, and it is this trail they report. If an accident lists the vin or license plate number Carfax will link it to the report and list the approx damage value listed in the report.

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Mercedes Fleet:
2004 CL600 Designo Espresso SPORT
2004 S600 Designo Espresso SPORT/Lorinser Pkg.
1999 S320
1988 300TE
1972 280SEL 4.5
Diesel Fleet:
2014 GL350 Blutec
1987 300SDL Blk/Blk 4 place seating #18 head
1987 300SDL Smk Slv/Burgangy #17 head
1986 300SDL Blk Pearl/Palomino #14 head w/ 280K
1984 Lincoln Mark VII Fact BMW Turbo Diesel

anytime you buy one that ahs been rolled abck be aware that, i currently own 418,000 miles on my sdl and it looks like a uinit that ahs 50,000 miles on it, but since i took care of it it is better than any 200,000 mile you can find so first thing is first,

turbos that are origanal dont lie. and look under the oil cap if it has sluge or you see major wear on the cam, its a good call its weaker than normal.

temp, if it runs under 80 or at 80 its good.

if it first starts and there is alot of smoke, its okay but if the smoke is purple, looking , not a good sign and be aware these cars have that alumauim head, i found out the hard way no reapir will do it is a must for a new one when it breaks, a compression test cost a few dollars, but if the seller doesnt want you to do one, forget the car,and move on.

i ahve bought and sold about 100 mercedes diesels and the key way to see if it is good for me 14 out of 15 times, if the interior is super clean it is a good one, if it looks like it transported hookers from truck stop to truck stop, this one is no good even if it only has 20,000 forget it.

so with all of that being said , when buying a 300sdl, prepare to put more money in it than its worth. i spend 4500 a year keeping mine perfect but i dont want a new one. and i drive alot.
personal choice.

moe
300 sdl 86 418k
300 td 99 178k
300 td 98 230 k

Date: Mileage:
05/19/1992 99,999
06/22/1992 64,348
06/22/1992 64,348
06/23/1992 64,348
10/09/1996 64,348
03/30/1998 173,000
03/03/2000 189,000
04/16/2001 64,348

Not good sounding to me. The Volvo 740 I own was bought before the age of Carfax. In short, it had severe rollback (300K to 50K) according to the Carfax report years later. Luckily I came out OK with a new engine, but I would NEVER do that again .

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Andrew

1989 Volvo 745- 202K

please kindly explain to me , with mercedes benze 300sdl ,
1, what is 617 for in the 300sdl
2, what is 603 for in 300sdl
i am getting confused about this issue , i have just come come across one of the 300sdl and it has 617 , rebuilt i need your advice thank you
Kande

No you are far from being an individual finding this story odd. All you can do as a purchaser is have the car checked over properly and take your chances.

He well might be moving away or something. You never know. Anyways who in their right mind is going to issue a warranty on a car this old unless it where way overpriced. Even then I would question it.

You should also check the head number to make sure that it is not a number 14. Since this is a private party deal you have to make sure there are no leins either. It all may be on the up and up but that is for you to determine.

Up until the end of 1985 the sds had the 617 5 cylinder engines. The 1986 and 1987 sd and sdls had the 603 six cylinder engines with the aluminium heads.

Unless one can find a really good example of them now. It may be wise to pass it by. The overall accumulated milage on them is usually questionable. A previous poster stated if the interior does not look good he walks. I agree with that point of view. Usually it takes a lot of miles before the interior deteriorates seriously.

You have to judge the mercedes diesels of this period individually. Unless there is unequivical proof the odometer reading is correct. The resale of them when fairly new alone resulted in many more dollars if the odometer was adjusted. So I believe they were adjusted as were many other brands at that time.

Remember most people purchased and paid a premium for diesel cars to accumulate above average overall miles compared to gas cars. To further compound the issue the odometers were a mechanically weak design. So as mentioned each car has to be judged with this thought in the equation.

I might have two diesels with correct indicated miles. I would never bet on it though. Two others have far more than indicated in my opinion.

All four still have excellent interiors. One of the suspected high milage ones had just about the whole car replaced at the dealership including the engine and interior. Owned by the state of Wisconsin at the time.

I guess money was no object for a government department.Consider it an excellent example of the public taxpayers money at work. They poured far more money into that car than it could be worth.

Everywhere I looked had been replaced. A european mechanic that had worked on mercedes for twenty years told me before I brought it. You should buy it for some strange reason it is still like new. He had used the the car for three weeks.