WTB mercedes diesel in Oklahoma
 

Haven't found much in Oklahoma for diesel Mercedes in my searches on craigslist etc. Figured I'd ask here.

Looking for a reliable Mercedes diesel, preferably turbo as a lot of commuting is done on the highway, but open to see what everyone has.

Trying to stay away from the rod benders and the cracked head problems, and just looking for a reliable car for mostly highway commute. Don't mind doing some repairs, but would like the transmission/engine/HVAC to be working well.

Preferring w201 2.5 turbo, w124 2.5 turbo, or w126 300sd, but who isn't. Curious to see what's out there.

Thanks again.

You ought to fly by the Dallas Craigslist. Isn't that far, and usually a good selection......

there appears to be a nice 93 sd on ebay.... it's located in palm beach fl.... not too far from where i live.

Yep there seems to be a far greater selection in Dallas, just slightly hesitant to drive that far to just look at a car, and not be sure about it. Although I realize my options might be slightly limited now.

Since this will be the first used car I'll be buying I have to admit I'm a bit hesitant to purchase sight unseen and then drive it back. Admittedly not that I'm an expert on MB's either.

I saw that 93, I'm just worried about the rust in that listing. And admittedly it might be slightly above my budget at this time.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I think he said in his post that he was trying to stay away from rod benders.
As he should.......

Well that definately would eliminate that one, however I'm slightly confused, I thought the rod benders were the 350's, isn't this one a 300? or does it have to do with the fact that they are 6 cylinders instead of 5? sorry still a bit of a newbie.

Rod bender
 

My understanding is that in 1986, they changed to a 6 cylinder that had an iron block and aluminum heads. The dissimilar metals distorted differently over time, causing the piston to smack the head and bend the rod. In 1985 and older 300's (which was the 5 cyl), the block and heads are both iron.

If I'm wrong on this one, let me know. But I'm pretty sure that's the gist of it.

For informational purposes only........

I had a 1992 300D that blew a head gasket at about 205,000 miles. I spoke to some mechanics about this and they said that sounded about right. Repair was about $4,000.

The rod benders are the six cylinders and it is the connecting rod that bends due to just being weak. It bends ever so slightly which causes the piston to not be true in the cylinder which then eats away at the cylinder wall and the engine is shot.

I don't think the 5-cylinders, the 2.5 with the iron block and alloy head, have this trouble. Mine never did and I put about 300,000 on the block.

I have been told that the 1987 SD have a turbo problem, but I have never looked into it since I am not an S-class kind of guy.

My 124 300D got 36 mpg. I just threw that in since it is a typical question people have.

Not even close.

The 2.5 and 3.0 OM602/OM603 are identical other than the added cylinder. Neither have a problem with warping heads, and the piston can't "smack the head" from the head warping, unless the head is somehow able to compress the cast-iron block enough to go below the deck, ... a complete impossibility in physics.
Both the 5 and 6 cylinder cars had head issues in '86/'87, due to some weak points in the heads, most of the problems were known early on and manifested themselves in a failure and repairs, thus the re-designed head in the late-'80s. Many of these original heads are still around happily running at 1/4million miles or more, I've had six IIRC. I feel that a head that made it this far has to have neglect or abuse in its history to fail.

The "rod bender" is the 3.5L engine in the 126 and 140 from '90-on. It is not always going to fail, my '91 hadn't at least not at 249,000 miles. There are plenty of theories about why they fail and bend a rod, most likely IMO is the one regarding fluid and hydrolock in the front cylinders due to a head-gasket leak allowing fluid into the front cylinder(s) from either the chain cavity or coolant passages. Mine had the head and gasket replaced, might be why it didn't have a problem. It is called a 350SDL in the early years, then back to S300 later but still the 3.5L "rod bender". After that the 606 was installed ('95?).

$4000 for a head gasket? Let me know next time you need one, I'll get into the mechanic business when I can charge $4000 for a $75 gasket set and 8hours labor.

There isn't any issue with the '87 turbos, nor such a thing as an '87 SD.

Also, there are several theories on the reasons for rods bending in the OM603.97x, "weak rods" would be a contributing factor in some of these theories but no substantiated evidence.

Well, there you have it...