Pros and Cons to either?

Im hoping to be viewing these cars this weekend. I have owned an '84 300D before so Im a little more inclined to go diesel. I havent owned a gas MB so I dont know all the ins and outs of it. Both are around 150k in mileage. Both good cars in general? Could I go wrong with either of them assuming both have a good history? Any help would be appreciated.

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15 Jetta TDI:
01 Golf TDI: 265k RIP 2/4/15
85 300TD: 233k- sold
84 300DT: 228k- sold
90 300SE: 148k-sold

Both are good, pick whatever you like better. I am not a big M103 fan they tend to burn oil, but they are a great engine non the less.

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

300SE, it's going to be about NINE years newer...



Fuel econ is going to be a wash, my buddy burns 89 in his 300E which is about 50¢ a gallon less than No2 currently. Don't see why the SE couldn't get high 20s freeway, about the same as the SD.

You have the updated 722 trans. The updated interior. Updated sound system.

The oil use issue is typically valve seals. Five hours and that is fixed.

Only thing I don't like about the 300SE is the 3.47:1 or whatever rear diff and 2nd gear start. A 2.88:1 would be perfect with it with a '92+ first gear start valve body.

103s have lots of smooth idle issues but they are usually attributed to vac leaks and old injectors. Both are easy to fix up and rectify.

The 300SE/L is a bargain for $2500 or so.

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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]

A 300SE is a great car. Although at first I didn't care for the high revs 3.46:1 no overdrive setup, I've become accustomed to it, although I truly wish it had an extra gear along with a first gear start. You do not hear the engine above the tires at cruising speeds of 4K rpm, anyway. The mileage is still perfectly acceptable: in the low 20's. 18 mpg in winter.

The M103, like the M110 that preceded it, needs to be pushed hard to get brisk acceleration. The 617 and the 103 are almost polar opposites of each other in power delivery.

All too often they do chew up valve components and sometimes head gaskets are faulty: Oil burners they are, indeed. They also devour plugs every 15K miles.

Overall, the M103 is every bit as tough as any Merc diesel. One Hell of a machine, IMHO.

I'd kill for that economy. The 3.46 with no overdrive will not allow greater than 23 mpg at 70 mph average.

When I did the math, the 2.88:1 + first gear start was lower than the 3.46:1 + second gear. I could give up some acceleration for 1000rpm less at 70mph.

I mean the high 20s with the 2.88:1

Like anything, each motor has its caveats

__________________
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]

That would put it on par with the 300SDL.
Then it truly is a wash.

Wish mine was running again. It's getting a 2.47:1 when I rebuild the rear here pretty soon.

__________________
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]

Does the 103 use high octane gas? Or is mid level or regular OK? Im assuming that its like the high compression 4.2 and 5.6 which need high.

Thanks for the opinions.

__________________
15 Jetta TDI:
01 Golf TDI: 265k RIP 2/4/15
85 300TD: 233k- sold
84 300DT: 228k- sold
90 300SE: 148k-sold

I don't know a gas MB in this country that doesn't require 91 octane. Some people get away with less, its your car.

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

Says Premium, but I stated my pal uses 89 in his all the time.

__________________
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]

Looks like the decision will be made for me. The SD seller has a buyer flying in from Virginia to drive it home. Anyone on this site flyin to NJ tomorrow? I'll be looking at the SE tomorrow which is owned by a fellow Mercedes Shop member. Im sure all will go well. Thanks for the replies. I think 89 mostly with some 91 here and there will do it fine. Thats how I did it with my old Audi 1.8T.

__________________
15 Jetta TDI:
01 Golf TDI: 265k RIP 2/4/15
85 300TD: 233k- sold
84 300DT: 228k- sold
90 300SE: 148k-sold

You can fit a 722.5 valve body in a 722.3 tranny for first gear start?

Sixto
93 300SD

I believe the US 450 engines ran or regular gas.

Sixto
93 300SD

My beef with the M103 is that it's impossible to resolve a rough idle. You can follow every bit of advice offered by Steve and Donnie and you won't find the problem.

Sixto
93 300SD