1987 300sdl info - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ro9beam2002 · #1 05-21-2006, 07:34 PM

hi guys.. going to look at a 300 sdl 87 model.. here is what the ad listed and was described as....

1987 Mercedes 300SDL Turbo Diesel

110k miles (verified)

Metallic Charcoal with gray leather interior

A/C, sunroof, cruise control, telescopic steering wheel

Exterior and interior are in very good condition

Well maintained, service records will be provided upon request

Very fuel efficient, running Bio-diesel blend

Runs exceptionally well

Extra leg room in the rear, large and comfortable car, especially well suited for long road trips

Recent tires

Deer damage to front passenger door and fender

Some paint fade on the hood

he is asking 5600.00 for it and the looks from the picture of the damage is not that bad... what are the problem areas for this year model and style and things i need to look at? if everything checks out what should i offer him? thanks.... rob

sixto · #2 05-21-2006, 07:40 PM

I would be great if the head has been replaced. If not, it's still a fabulous car with a slight chance the cylinder head will develop irrepariable cracks if overheated.

Items that need service more from age than from miles include front suspension, AC register actuator and compressor control circuit and cruise control.

The SDL is very robust and easy to service for a car with so many features and ammenities.

Price seems steep for a car with body damage. I'll take miles over damage any day.

Sixto

Brian Carlton · #3 05-21-2006, 10:03 PM

They are very good vehicles, however, you definitely need to peruse the service records. If the vehicle was thoroughly maintained, then the price might be acceptable, depending on how much the cost to repair the damage would be. However, if it's anymore than $2K, the vehicle is probably overpriced.

Any of the following items may or may not have been replaced over the years:

Radiator
Fan clutch
Serpentine belt
Idler pulley
a/c compressor, drier, and expansion valve
cylinder head
master cylinder
brake calipers
upper control arms
Lower ball joints
Tie rods
Rear differential mount
Rear subframe bushings
cruise control amplifier
cruise control actuator
outside temperature display
climate control unit
Klima relay
turbocharger rebuild

Depending on how extensive the service records are.........will tell you if the PO's kept up with the maintenance and repair of the vehicle.

Furthermore, you need to drive it and see what works and what does not work. Sometimes you find that half the accessories are non-functional.

Finally, you need to make a couple of specific tests to gain some confidence that the head has no cracks at the present time.

These vehicles can provide decent transportation even though they require $5K worth of parts and labor to get them close to spec. Therefore, careful is the operative word for any prospective purchaser.

TheDon · #4 05-21-2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ro9beam2002

hi guys.. going to look at a 300 sdl 87 model.. here is what the ad listed and was described as....

1987 Mercedes 300SDL Turbo Diesel

Very fuel efficient, running Bio-diesel blend

Deer damage to front passenger door and fender

the biodiesel bit runs the price up more.. but the 110k makes the price reasonable.. but id say its 1500 to much ... the deer damage can be deceving.. im no 603 guy but ive heard things about the heads warping.. id look into the cars records maintence etc for any overheating problems

Hit Man X · #5 05-22-2006, 02:05 AM

How can the owner say exterior is in very good condition with faded paint, a dented fender with hood?

$5600 is way high for that IMO. It'll cost you $2500 easily to fix the body and repaint the car to look proper. Nothing looks worse to me than poor paint and body work. All is in the prep work, you'll spend days pulling all the trim off, glass out, lamps, etc.

Don't forget about the vac pumps, early ones = death! Spend the $350 or whatever ASAP and swap the old one out. Unless you're lucky and find an updated one used for cheap.

Also, as stated previously even if the car is this low of mileage... it'll need suspension work. The bushings will be rock hard and will be useless. Same with shocks, motor mounts, etc.

Head problems are hit or miss on these unless it's blatent. I threw the dice on mine and got lucky, then decided to parlay my luck on the 420 and missed out. The hose test is very smart. Also check the coolant for oil...

ro9beam2002 · #6 05-22-2006, 08:58 PM

yeah i might pass on this one... he said there has never been any head work done on the car that he could find.... and that he has had 3 of these cars and never had any head or over heating issues.....

sixto · #7 05-22-2006, 09:30 PM

Pass on it for the price or the required body work. Replacing the cylinder head is far from a given in thic case and well worth the $2500 for added longevity, IMO.

Sixto

#8 05-23-2006, 01:24 AM

Great Car, but why take the risk on the head, $5,600. now and possibly $3,000. plus tomorrow.

sixto · #9 05-23-2006, 01:31 AM

Think of it as a good $8600 car that you only paid $5600 for if the head holds

Sixto

Hit Man X · #10 05-23-2006, 01:34 AM

The head issue isn't something to be overly concerned with. Most 300s are still running while most 350s aren't...

Combine parts from each and you have a great vehicle from '86-7 or '90-1

Plantman · #11 05-23-2006, 02:31 AM

Ask him how much without the deer damage?

Mine has 348,000 miles and runs fine.

I would search this forum for tips on checking the head, and if it'd fine offer him 3500.00/ More than likely, not too many people are looking for any car with deer damage. know what I mean?

Hit Man X · #12 05-23-2006, 02:34 AM

Exactly, the car is DAMAGED. Heck, it could have been "total" even, if you will ... It's not even worth $3500 to me with questionable history.

Big J · #13 05-23-2006, 06:38 AM

You don't say where you are located, but I looked at this one in Atlanta:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=201751224&dealer_id=57848659&car_year=1987&search_type=both&make=MB&transmission=&distance=25&model=300SDL&address=30076&make2=sel_one&certified=&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=&bkms=1148380494909&min_price=&end_year=2007&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&isp=y&engine=&doors=&fuel=&lang=en&cardist=8
Its good for a parts car only. I had my indy check it, one bad cylender. Body was at best ok, all windows and sunroof worked. Trunk leaked. Could be a doaner for a door or corner panel.

Owner now knows the problems with the engine.

Hit Man X · #14 05-23-2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big J

You don't say where you are located, but I looked at this one in Atlanta:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=201751224&dealer_id=57848659&car_year=1987&search_type=both&make=MB&transmission=&distance=25&model=300SDL&address=30076&make2=sel_one&certified=&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=&bkms=1148380494909&min_price=&end_year=2007&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&isp=y&engine=&doors=&fuel=&lang=en&cardist=8
Its good for a parts car only. I had my indy check it, one bad cylender. Body was at best ok, all windows and sunroof worked. Trunk leaked. Could be a doaner for a door or corner panel.

Owner now knows the problems with the engine.

Or good to swap a motor into...

Rich300TDMBZ · #15 05-23-2006, 04:07 PM

I think there is over concern on the 603 head. There are instances where the #14 head cracks, and cause $$$ to replaced, but there are many many cars with the #14 heads intact and running strong and well in the 300K miles and more. Important thing is to know that the car is never overheated when you buy it, and that takes some doing as the seller rarely will relate that info.
Here is one 300SDL on Ebay with a new head.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-300-Series-Turbo-Diesel-1987-300-SDL-6cyl-Turbo-DIESEL-Rare-California-car_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6330QQitemZ4642559637QQrdZ1