I had posted this with another question and received no comment. I really know better than to change subjects in the post, but goofed it up this time.
Any comments on the below?

"For some reason, probably something I read in a forum, I am only looking at 81 - 83 300sd's. I believe because I was told that the cars were no longer hand built after 1983. Is this right? Or is it reasonable to say that all 5 cylinder 300 sd's are equal?"

thanks for all the help guys, I really am going to buy one of these cars, all of them are so far away though!...phal

This hand built thing has been around for a long time. My understanding but probably wrong is it ended about the time of production of the 1970 280c and only partially occured with very low number production cars if any afterwards. May only be a fairy tale though. The fit and finish seemed better in my 60s cars but that also might be my faulty memory. I think the hand built thing was only a greater attempt was made to get all fits as good as possible at time throughout the car. Perhaps more worker pride in what they were doing. Was a far less complex world than now.

I have an 82 and I really like it, but 85 had a few major improvements you might want to consider.

__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

where are u that they are so far away? while i was deciding $$ for mine i saw them all over country.
kenni
'85 300D Turbo - FOR SALE

what are these improvments? i will own another when hubby gets out of school, but cant keep mine now, so...

Kenni
'85 300 D Turbo - FOR SALE

A vacuum amp with slightly different trans, ABS brakes, rear end improvements, etc. Little things like 3rd brake light, and reserve light comes on at start up( probably before 85). Do a search - there's a good # more.

__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

well, thank you, i guess ill buy another 85 when i buy again.

The later 300SD's will be slightly better(some slight improvements), but overall, they are the same. The steel used in the later models I believe is a higher quality, because of the German Steel workers strike in the early 1980s. As for being hand built, they stopped doing that in the late 1960s or early 1970s.

If you mean fuel reserve light, mine on the 84 comes on at start up--only--stupid thing will not warn me before running out of fuel. Don ask me how I know that

__________________
1984 300SD 326,997 miles and counting . . . No wait, my odometer is still dead

You can't really go wrong with any W126 model. I think the 85's had a different trans and slightly higher gearing. At this point in the game it doesn't really matter just look for the nicest 81-85 300SD that you can find. If you want "stuff" then look for the later diesel W126's.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Maybe there are some good non rust bucket cars around here, but you do not see them. Everything I have seen lately is at least 6 hrs away and that is close compared to most. After my most recent trip to look at a "mint" vehicle (after the 6 hr drive I made one lap around the car in driving rain and knew the seller had lied profusely) I have sworn not to buy anything on the sellers word. So if I want a nice car, I am hiring out the inspection, or making the trip to California/New Jersey/Arizona/Florida/wherever. I just know these nice cars are not in Indy.
Has anyone used an inspection service? How about Carfax's $99 one?
Thanks...gary

If you want a really, really nice W126 and can pay Mercedes show room down in FL seems to come up with some decent cars. But you will pay.

My next W126 will come from southern CA and I will gladly pay the $1k worth of shipping to get it to CT.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Mine actually comes on at start up and then when the fuel tank is ACTUALLY empty. Also, don't ask me how I know that.

__________________
1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver

Hatterasguy,

Are you going to accept the owner/dealers evaluation of the car or will you travel to see it?
I frequently see what seems to be very nice cars in florida and california, but I am a worried about taking someone else's word for the condition. Both are a long way from Indy, In.

phal

from my MB mechanic...the car is awesome. It's my first diesel so I was a little worried about noise, acceleration, etc. My fears were unfounded. It is a little slow pulling out but once you get to about 20-25 mph, you're fine. And on the highway at 80, it is a dream.

I think the 85 was the last year and one of the only differences was the 85 has anti-lock brakes. Mine actually has a 1984 engine and tranny. My mechanic talks about the older 300SDs having the "bigger" tranny....something about the '85 having a "smaller" tranny. I'm not sure if that makes any sense or not.

Good luck in your search. I'm in Arizona..we seem to get them pretty often out here and in good shape. My mechanic is Kenny at German Car Service in Scottsdale. He could probably keep an eye out for you if you're really intent on getting a W126.

T