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  #1  
Old 09-07-2004, 09:00 PM
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1987 300sdl

Hello everyone, I am a potential new MB owner and have found a 1987 300 SDL here in Texas that I am considering purchasing. The car appears to be owned by a elderly gentleman that wants to get rid of the car because he is no longer comfortable driving it due to its size and states that he hates seing it just sit in the garage.

He states that everthing works and is in excellent shape. He has all records and has been professionally maintained. In January of 2004 he had the A/C converted to R134A and new brakes and tires.

The car has 156,000 miles and he states that there are no rips in the seats, carpet or dash.

I plan on taking a look at this car in the next several days and was hoping for any advice that the experts of this forum might throw my way.

All thoughts and comments would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks

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  #2  
Old 09-07-2004, 09:11 PM
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Do a search on my posts, rust shouldn't be an issue for a Texas car. However check the service records and oil change history!!! If the fluids have been changed and their is no blow-by your in good shape. MB coolent should also be in their as well as German filters. 603's don't like to be overheated make sure the cooling system is in good shape, ask if the head/head gasket has ever been replaced? Look on the head right above the 2nd injector back you will see a cast in number. If you see a "14" in the number it is an original head, not a bad thing but a good thing to know. The SDL is no rocket but should move right along. The engine should sound smooth, however a little rumble/skipping on startup is common a lot of 603's do it, a little lifter tick is normal also. Brakes should be smooth and bite hard, these cars have awsome brakes. Their should be no clunks etc when going over bumps. If this is your first German car it will ride more harder than US luxury cars, but they handle better and fly on the highway. SDL's are awsome good luck!
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  #3  
Old 09-07-2004, 09:19 PM
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Do searches on the SDL and you'll find loads of info.

Go see it, check for rust and drive it. If it drives well, take it to a mechanic and get a pre-purchase inspection. It will be the best $100.00 you ever spend.

If the car is as advertised, it can fetch up to 8000.00 for a low mileage car. 156,000 would be considered low. Mine has 332,000 and runs like a champ.

How much are they asking for it? Post somepics if u can.

Good luck.
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  #4  
Old 09-07-2004, 09:37 PM
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Make absolutely sure that you do the checks necessary to ensure that the head is not cracked when you buy it. This includes looking for oil in the coolant and to check the next morning after the engine has been run for pressure in the cooling system. Any pressure the next day is a very bad sign and would necessitate further investigation prior to purchase.
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Old 09-08-2004, 09:05 AM
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Follow Brian's advice! I have been doing a lot of kicking of myself the last couple months since I did not look at my SDL cold. A hot engine can hide a lot of problems so be sure to make it clear you want the engine cold when you go there to look at it.
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Old 09-08-2004, 10:35 AM
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Is this the SDL on Autotrader.com? If so, be wary of rust... I bought a 300D Turbo from Houston that was supposed to be in mint condition and actually had quite a bit of rust starting to form. Also make sure and have the PPI performed.... it is $$$$$$$ well spent on these cars!!!!
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  #7  
Old 09-08-2004, 11:30 AM
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If it has been in Texas all of it's life I don't see why their should be any rust. If it hasn't than hunt for rust.
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  #8  
Old 09-08-2004, 02:20 PM
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Always hunt for rust! Even southern cars can have a lot of hidden rust if the water drains are clogged with debris, but this is more common with the W123 and older cars.
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  #9  
Old 09-08-2004, 04:51 PM
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Ranger175c:
I just bought a 300SDL in Texas about a month ago and I'm delighted with it. One of the big attractions for me was that it was rust/corrosion free, something that is almost impossible to find here in the northern climes. If it has spent all its life in Texas or that area it should be rust free, UNLESS it has been hit and badly repaired.

The Texas heat and sun is hard on interiors (especially dash) and all rubber components from the obvious tires to door seals and hoses etc.. I was lucky, my interior is in good shape, as the PO used a windshield shade religiously and the other windows were tinted to reduce the glare. The sunshade came with the car so I'll be able to use it on those two sunny days in August and when the glare from the snow gets too bad

Where is the car? Mine was in Austin and if yours is close by I can highly recommend Ben's Workshop there to get a Pre-Purchase Inspection.

Good luck - the SDL really is a GREAT car.
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  #10  
Old 09-08-2004, 09:52 PM
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R134a in Texas? That's why he's selling it. Have it bake in the sun all day then count the hours before the AC gets cabin is habitable.

I'm not knocking R134a per se. The S420 and the minivan have proper R134a systems and they cool as well as any R12 system.

Sixto
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87 300SDL

Last edited by sixto; 09-08-2004 at 11:01 PM.
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  #11  
Old 09-08-2004, 10:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sixto
R134a in Texas? That's why he's selling it. Have it bake in the sun all day then count the hours before the AC gets cabin is habitable.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
While I have never been in Texas, I have been in a 1985Sd that used 134 and it was cool enough. In Miami Btw.

Now my SDl uses R12 and gets really cold, even after sitting outside all day. Doesn't take very long.
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  #12  
Old 09-09-2004, 12:05 PM
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I think most 80's vintage German cars have bad AC. My moms Olds will freeze you out no matter how hot it is outside, Americans just like better AC than the Germans.

If you looking for rust get a rubber hammer and don't be shy, look at the bottom rear of the front wheel well. You will see the frame it runs back under neath the car. Follow that sucker back wacking it all of the way. If that is rotted the car is junk.
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  #13  
Old 09-09-2004, 06:53 PM
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1986 300 Sdl

Ranger, I own a '86 300 SDL and I really enjoy it. It's a good idea to have it checked out by a reputable MB repair shop or MB Dealership, before you embark on this adventure. Any vehicle over 10-12 years definitely will need attention. I bought my Big Black MB car in Florida about 2 years ago and i've spent about $1600. in maintenance. I'm also about to embark on doing the front end suspesion. Also it'd be a great thing if the owner has all the service records on this car. This would be a key factor along with the condition of the vehicle, interior and exterior in purchasing the car. You need to be aware of the heads on these cars, they've been known to crack if overheated. Good Luck
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  #14  
Old 09-09-2004, 08:34 PM
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Before we all scare the guy half to death about checking to see if the head is cracked, it needs to be mentioned that on the early OM603, the diesel engine in the car you want to look at, had an inherent head fracture issue that some, not all, early OM603's suffered. MB addressed the head fracture issues by redesigning the head for these engines.

As Hatterasguy mentioned, an early head will have the number 14 stamped in a sequense of numbers. A redesigned newer head will have instead of 14, will have a 17, or higher number.

Not all early heads failed and most are still installed and on the road. The OM603 engines are generally bullet proof. But you do need to pay attention about the head and make sure it is good. Look in the search area here and educate yourself about the head crack issues.

Good Luck

Steve...............

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