I am in the market for a new starter for the 300SD. I have read the archives and found that this Mean Green unit would be ideal for the conditions the vehicle is used in. Has anyone had any experience with the company? I've tried calling and they told me they would call back. Not a word so far... this has raised flags in my mind as to the accountability of the company.
Are there any other distributors in the US who may be a bit more sales oriented? Are there any other known gear reduction starters available for the 617?

Thanks - William

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1983 Mercedes 300SD
1987 Mercedes 300SDL
2001 VW Passat 2.8 AWD
2007 OM642 Jeep WK 4x4

I did not know they made them for the Benz.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

i wanted one last year for my car but i was told they didnt have any for 123's

An original Bosch rebuild is worth the $150 or so from fastlane. Its lasted about twenty years so far and it'll dang sure do it again.

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Seth

1984 300D 225K
1985 300D Donor body
1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!!
1980 300SD 311K My New Baby.
1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo

Well, I do agree that the original starter was one of great quality, however the rebuilds I have seen from Bosch in the last few years have not matched that of the original specificatoin by far. I have heard of others using this Mean Green gear reduction unit with sucess.. specifically the fellow with the 616 equipped rover. Was your 300D the 617? Their website lists a 300D, is this the NA 5 cyl? I am currently working nights so contacting these folks is going to be impossible for the next couple of weeks. I will let you know what I find when I can get ahold of them. Thank you for the input so far.
-william

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1983 Mercedes 300SD
1987 Mercedes 300SDL
2001 VW Passat 2.8 AWD
2007 OM642 Jeep WK 4x4

Strip the starter taking great care to note the position of parts for easy re-assembly. The chances are you will find it only needs new brushes fitted, and possibly new "oilite" (sintered oil impregnated phosphor-bronze) plain bushes for nose and tail bearings.

Re-build, greasing with molybdenum disulphide grease (not really necessary), keeping the armature clean, and using a heavy soldering iron or solder gun to solder the brushes (the joints must be made quickly, not allowing the field coils (if the starter has these - many don't) absorb heat for too long.

When this is done, the starter will last for a very many more miles depending on the condition of the commutator (which should be carefully cleaned using glass paper, and the insulation between the segments scraped lightly to remove carbon between them.

Research to find more information.

A.

Buy page $300

Notice "Mercedes 240D, 300D (1974-84)"

I sent an e-mail asking for more detailed information.

I’ve got a Mean Green in my truck (616 powered Land Rover). As a matter of fact, it was the first one the company built for the 616/617. I won’t bull**** you…I had trouble with the company in the beginning. The first starter nose they built was too tight to the flywheel and it took many many many phone calls and emails to get it straightened out. First there was a fire at the company then their head machinist had his legs removed as a result of his diabetes. No kidding, these are the excuses I got!

In the end they came through with a proper fitting nose and the rest is history. The owner called me when he shipped the second one and asked me to call back after it was installed to see how it was. Seemed like my engine was their reluctant test-bed!

So for my trouble you can all rest assured that you’ll be getting a good starter. But yes William, customer service isn’t this company’s strong point. They do, however, build very good starters….You just have to figure out how to get them on the phone!

Jim

How does it compare to stock? faster cranking? less AMP draw?

I've got one on my jeep, works fine, definitely spins my engine faster than the OE. weighs less than half as much.... but cost 4x as much. Gear reduction is a smart idea.

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Cheers,
Robert

Much faster cranking speed! Don’t know about the amp draw but can only assume.
I have a manual glow plug contactor on my truck, (push button tripping a starter solenoid). Sunday morning it was zero out…Maybe 10 seconds with the glow plugs and it fired right up. I never even bother to plug it in anymore.

without going too far OT, if you want really good starting, have good compression. Obviously, this is not an option for everyone, but properly adjusted valves is cheaper than a good battery or starter. My interstate battery is over 5 years old, the starter is either original or a pretty old rebuild. It starts quicker than a new gasser. Before the rebuild, I'd crank and crank.

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

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

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

I agree with you Pete. But fast cranking speed = compression on start-up too.

Even if it last longer, if its 4x the cost it does not make sense when a factory one will last 20 years. You would never get your moneys worth from it.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

The faster cranking speed pays for it's self. My starter is starting to flake out and I'm seriously thinking of a mean green.

Fastlane: Starter Remanufactured- Bosch- IN STOCK- $155.70
Mean Green: Mercedes 240D, 300D (1974-84)- $ 299.00
It's not 4X the cost, just about 2x.