They're running strong, I have 2, no head problems on original #14 heads with a combined mileage over 450,000miles (knocking on wood).

I hear about how terrible they are, but only a couple of people have ever posted that they had cracked heads (same head on the SD/SDL 603 in the '80s). I guess you have to give up the ability to run without engine coolant if you want an aluminum cross-flow head LOL!

There really weren't a lot sold in comparison to the 123 diesels, most Mercedes sold in the mid-'80s to early '90s were gas, and they didn't even offer a diesel 124 or 201 for part of that (no '86, '88, '89 300D for example) due to the soft diesel market in the US.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff