1991 350SD with all records from 2000, Atlanta GA - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

AtlGator · #1 08-03-2010, 10:09 AM

I looked far and wide for a MB diesel and bought the finest example I found this past April. Sadly I must sell as the car is too large for my small Candler Park driveway and my in-town commuting needs after all, so thinking about selling.

Two-owner car that has spent all 19 of its years in Atlanta. No rust!! Garage kept for at least the last 10 years and probably all of its life, except for the last four months when I've owned it! (I make three owners, officially).

Must be seen and driven to appreciate.

Transmission rebuilt and front suspension redone by Battles Benz, both in last 25K miles. Brakes within last 10K miles. Retrofit to R-134a in 2003, blows cold in this nutty Atlanta heat.

Michelin Primacys have about 20K miles on them.

603 3.5L engine rebuilt by RBM Atlanta in 2000. Records to show what was done and when - too much to list here. No surprises. I don't think there's a better example out there.

Everything works, except:

Driver's side door lock cylinder -- doesn't turn. So I professionally installed keyless entry and don't miss it at all.
Rear left window needs its nylon slider replaced. Window is securely in up-position. I replaced the right rear window slider in April and all three other windows work as they should.
Driver's side door when open doesn't turn on interior light.

(Little things that I wanted to disclose!)

Here's the link to my Craigslist ad with lots of pics... Thanks.

TX76513 · #2 08-03-2010, 10:12 AM

Very nice.

panamacolin · #3 08-04-2010, 10:22 AM

Are these engines known to have problems? Very nice car.

AtlGator · #4 08-04-2010, 10:43 AM

Hi -- yes, the 3.5L 603 engine has a well-earned reputation for too-weak connecting rods for the compression of the larger bore/stroke of the then-new engine.

The rods would bend so slightly under the strain, leading to oval-ling of the cylinder walls and increased oil consumption to the tune of 1 qt/100 miles, and dastardly smoke from the tailpipe.

The fix was a new engine or a dealer-done rebuild, which this car had 10 years ago by RBM Atlanta. The connecting rods used in the rebuild in 2000 are part number 603-030-33-20.

From the owner's manual on oil consumption, pg. 60 - Engine oil consumption can only be determined after a certain mileage has been covered. During the break-in period, higher consumption may be noticed and is normal. Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in increased consumption.

In other words, this 603 engine burns oil by design. But 1 qt/100 miles is troublesome, hence the rebuild with stronger rods and other parts. I have found it needed a top-off after 2,000 miles, which is in-line with what the seller told me it was for his ten years of ownership fresh after rebuild.

For the person who knows how hard it is to find well-maintained/preserved 350SDs, this car is the one!! Did I mention the transmission has 15,000 miles on it?

winmutt · #5 08-04-2010, 11:34 AM

You are right around the corner from me.

dcotejr · #6 08-04-2010, 05:44 PM

It's white. I would consider any color BUT white! (personal preference)

Other than that - beautiful car!

bsmuwk · #7 08-04-2010, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcotejr

It's white. I would consider any color BUT white! (personal preference)

Other than that - beautiful car!

Funny, I wouldn't consider anything but white.

Good luck with the sale! Beautiful car!

AtlGator · #8 08-04-2010, 09:05 PM

I know this board is full of pros and I appreciate the kind words! The clearcoat on the car is perfect, no fading or anything of the sort. When I bought the car it was in garage and the soft black rubber trim all over it attests to the fact it was only outside when driven.

Washed, the car's paint is smoooooth. Must be seen to be believed, I think!

And I wasn't a white lover before this car but I think I may stick with the color from here on out on my next cars. The car seems cooler in the summer with the paint and our infamous pollen isn't as noticeable.

joegolden · #9 08-05-2010, 12:13 PM

considering the car has been gone thru like it has I would buy it in a minute!

Too bad I am so freakin broke these days...Looks like all you would need to do is get a fresh finish on those rims and it would look like a new one! Question?....was there a long wheelbase 350 as well? Or were they all just 350sd's?

There is a brown one here in my home town that I have drooled over for years....Owned by an older man that owned a small town bank here and sold to BB&T years ago. I see it when I go out to our local airport to fly with my friend.. Its always parked in the hangar. had about 90k on it last time I saw it. I have always wanted to ask him if he has replaced his engine yet

good luck with the sale that car is so pretty!

babymog · #10 08-05-2010, 12:32 PM

They made both the 350SD and 350SDL in '91.

dcotejr · #11 08-10-2010, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtlGator

And I wasn't a white lover before this car but I think I may stick with the color from here on out on my next cars. The car seems cooler in the summer with the paint and our infamous pollen isn't as noticeable.

You know, that is a good point. My Lapis blue car does show up the pollen easily, and these last 2 months have made me notice the temp more...

Where is Candler Park in Atlanta? I typically travel there weekly, and may take a look...