I spent hours and hours reading posts on this forum on when to replace the timing chain and it seems like the general opinion is: keep checking the chain for stretch and replace it when stretch reaches about 5 degrees.

However, today I contacted a mechanic who was highly recommended to me as someone who is very knowledgeable on these old MB diesels and this is what he had to say about timing chain replacement: when your car reaches 100,000 miles, just replace the chain. I explained to him that there are a lot of well experienced folks on this board who own several of these vehicles and that they recommended that you simply keep your eyes on the stretch before you decide to replace the chain and he said that it is rubbish . Then when I told him I have just 149,xxx miles on my 1984 300SD he said: since the previous owner didn't change the chain, if I were you I wouldn't be driving that car.... I have seen cars with very nice looking chains break... the only proper way to measure chain stretch is to take the entire chain out and place it right next to a brand new one and then make a comparison.

Let's just say that right now I am COMPLETELY CONFUSED on which way to go! Advise please.