Howdy fellers... & gals. I'm new to the forum and the Columbus, OH area coming from TN and just getting into the MB diesel market. I was within a fraction of an inch to almost buying two 350SD's off ebay ( I know, dont laugh); as I like to sleep on things anymore before doing something impetuous (like buying my vettes), I was told by someone to avoid these 350 diesels like the plague and run away as fast as I could. The guy works for national diesel parts supplier so I figured he might know a little something I didnt. Since I"m new to this and dont really know if its legit to name names yet {and since i dont have his permission yet} I'll just hold off on that for now.... but this feller may have saved my hide. He says these rigs are well-known by the well-read, versed, and long-time mb owners as 'Rod-benders'. What say you, out there? Do I owe this guy a serious big-time thanks or case of beer? Now that its after-the-fact, it should have been pretty obvious that when
something is only made one-year [1991] that something is seriously wrong. Is that a fair assumption...at least in this case? Would there be any HD rod upgrades or other misc what-not out there to fix these engines and make them pretty sweet...oh yeh, and reliable? What do you folks think? Thanks for any advice or post.

Yes, the rods bend in these, and it costs super big $$ to make them right. Avoid.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

There you go - now you've got it...... When shopping for Mercedes Benz pick the model that changed the least over the greatest length of time.

the 350 was built beginning in 90 and was built through around 95 or so. it is the 603 engine displacing 3.5 liters,although in later years carried the designation of 300sd for some reason.

the purchase of one is to be entered into with great care. they are great driving cars when all is right though. and everything except the engine is pretty excellent and reliable and high quality.

the 3.0 liter version of the 603 is NOT known for bending rods and is fully interchangable with the 3.5 liter version.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Your best bet is to avoid the 91-95 300SD/350SD.

Yeah, good advice!
I have a 1992 300SD with 200K on it. For my little experience and, most, for what I read on the different forums on the net, any car with this age (or more) and mileage may have problems. Still, the 300SD is a great car, full of comfort and style. And top safety.
Whoever says that you have to avoid it, is because probably he doesn't know it. You can buy a 1991 300SD and have the double of problems you may have with a 1992 300SD.
Good luck.

the 91 and 92 300sd both have the same motor.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Welcome to the forum.

You owe the guy a serious big-time thanks.......or a case of beer.

He potentially saved you $7,000.

If you wish to read for hours, do a search on "rod bender" on this forum. Many sorry stories for your perusal.

I've got a friend that just picked up a '91 350SDL with 168k miles on it. Bought it for $6500 and to the uninformed is a beautiful, great driving and running car but it does have a poor rep. Anyway, for right now the car is fine. I just changed the gp's in it and checked for timing chain stretch and it is quite obvious that someone took great care of this car because it was absolutely spotless under the cam cover. It will be interesting to see how long it runs before the engine lives up to it's rep. He drives the heck out of it so it probably won't be long.

keep in mind:
Nothing is impossible to the uninformed.

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Jim

A question:
who else (beside Sixto) had a bent rod on a CO603.971 ???

I think the 350SD is probably the best W126 diesel model to have. Its a throwable SWB version with all the nice updated stuff they got in 1989, plus a more powerfull engine. Thats if you can live with the engine, it may fail on you. Otherwise the car itself is great, one of the best.

Look for a 1986-87 300SDL. Same 603 a bit less torque, but they move right along.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

DslBnz or some such is the cats handle on here. He has a few that died.



I'd take a 350SDL no sweat and be ready to drop a 3.0L into one. You receive the updated interior, options, etc. I know of ONE 350SD '91 that I've ever seen... and between Dallas and Houston there are tons of vehicles. The motor took a dump in the 350, it was bought new in Dallas and is sitting at some repair shop.

It's black with a grey interior. About 298k on the ticker.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I have come to the conclussion that as far as Mercedes sedans go that I am not interested in anything made after the W126's, W123's, or W201's.

Well in that case the best W126's to buy are the updated 1989-91 versions. Better sound system, interior, some had traction control ect.

They had a lot better sound systems, you can upgrade the speakers with some good ones, throw in a couple real high end amps and have a system as good as any in a modern car.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Jim Smith, one of the moderators of DD, had one.

There was a fellow outside of Boston who had one. It was a beautiful vehicle with a bad engine. A few years ago he got about $5K for it.

There are others.............