1981 Mercedes 300SD

I have owned this 1981 DB 753 Astral Silver 300SD for well over 20 years accumulating more than 460,000 mi during that time. Although I have rebuilt the transmission three times, replaced numerous vacuum and electrical components the car has only left me completely stranded one time when an oil cooler line broke at night and I failed to shut her down in time to prevent engine work. All this said I continue to think of her as a very nice ride.

When originally built, Mercedes installed a 20.3, gallon fuel tank and claimed 30 mpg with a 609 mile driving range. I found that in 1986 the SDL came with a 23.4 gallon tank so I have installed one giving an “advertised” range of 702 miles. I have never achieved 30 MPG but 26 can happen most of the time with 28 mph once in a while. At about 500 miles I start looking for fuel. Sure wish I could have bought her on E-Bay in 1981 because then I would get 30 or maybe 35 mpg on every tank.