'86 SDL vs '89 CE ....?
 

I went to see 2 used MBs today; Any opinions?

1- '89 300CE White / Blue MB Tex interior- good condition on the interior; 7 out of 10- needs some cosmetics- new vent plastic in the center- passenger seatbelt plastic frame- Ext. nice paint - no rust anywhere except 1 small hairline on the edge of the sunroof. Hood pad is loose but in good condition- 99,000 Miles -
same girl owner last 12 years- 2,900.

2- '86 300SDL Anthracite/ Burgandy red leather interior- This is a 1 owner car that was garaged- and the paint looks almost new - a tiny ding on the roof above the rear drivers side door - The interior is a 9 out of 10- A tear on a seam on top of theback seat; and a worn split on the armrest.
Everything was just serviced at an MB dealer prior to it being traded in- belts filters- filters fluids brakes.....tires are 90+% bridgestones. Engine bay is spotless- MB service records- Not crazy about the "Grampa ext. color & it has 248,000 miles. asking 4,995. ( Anyone know how an '86 would fare with WVO..???)

I'm not grasping why you're comparing these two.

They are completely different in what they do best and how they drive.

You'll clearly prefer one over the other. Just need to drive them both and notice the differences. They'll be very obvious.

i DROVE THE 300ce AND IT WAS SITTING FOR LAST 2 MONTHS AND MUST HAVE HAD moisture in the gas - it sputtered and stalled-


The SDL drove like a living room on wheels- a very comfortable living room .....

and it is a Diesel - After 2 yrs of driving my 300D I do like thesound and feel of the rattle rattle rattle......

MY only concerns I think is that I've heard the SDL's had some issues. and the cylader head is not cast iron like an ol' 300D, so I'm not sure how it would handle WVO .....

Any input on the issues & durability of the 86 SDL 's is greatly appreciated....

It is overall for an '86 a 9.5 out of 10 in my book.

The answer is so obvious I hardly know how to reply.......:eek:

If you like the way an SDL drives........a bit slow to gather itself.........a bit ponderous around town........then it clearly seems like the better purchase.

The only major issue with the SDL is the condition of the head. If the head was ever overheated, it has the propensity to crack at anytime. It may already be cracked and you won't realize it until coolant disappears. If the head remains intact, the engine is good for over 400K miles.

Cannot comment on WVO for the SDL. It has the M injection pump, a smaller version of the MW pumps that are on the older engines. It may not take kindly to WVO. The combustion properties of WVO with the aluminum head may also cause you some issues. The engine is probably not one that you wish to experiment with. Any error in judgment will cost a small fortune to correct.

Personally, I'd advise against WVO for the 603 without some additional hard data over a long period of time that confirms its acceptability.

If it's got 248. on it now & the way this shows and was maintained Iwould think the head has been checked by MB dealer recently.

Ponderous is a good adjective to describe the ride of an SDL.

I got there at 15 minutes before closing on Sunday. so I couldn't drive it more than around the block.
I also noticed the window price was 4995 but the listing was 3995. , so it is either lower / or higher and a bit of bait n switch;

I will have to go back there & check on that - do a car fax - and definetly drive it on the highway- the old Becker still worked likenew and the speakers in the SDL sounded better than my new MB Quarts which are hi end speakers.

I''ll have to check with MATT300SD about the WVO issues.
Maybe it will take a blend...............?

I have run well over 150 gal of B100 in my SDL with no issues. I know someone that runs WVO and his is doing well too.

The color scheme I would love on it... I don't think the '86 would be as prone to a head failure as they didn't come with the friendly Trap Ox from the factory (on the 49 state Fed Models).

I have put over 200 gals of B100 through my 87 300SDL and it loves it. I would seriously suggest that if you are planning to run WVO to put in another filter that is heated and heat the WVO.

Mine also likes the synthetic oils....

I really like the room and the 28+ MPG doesn't hurt my feeling either.:D

Thanks- I have no problem adding another fuel filter in line & also would install a 12V facet fuel pump at the fuel tank hose to assist the Injector pump already there to push the WVO up to the IP.

I live is the tropics, so heat has never been an issue on my 300D. I run on straight filtered WVO and no heat mods. I don't think I would need it on an SDL....?

& ARE YOU SAYING YOU GET 28 MPG ON AN SDL????

HOW IS THAT? I AM LUCKY TO GET 20 ON MY 5 CYL 300D.

IS THAT WHAT I COULD EXPECT ON AN '86 SDL TOO??


AA

Depends how you drive... I've gotten 31-33 a few times in mine going about 60mph (fell asleep nearly at the wheel). Mixed is about 26-7, only city about 21-23.

You have issues if you can't get past 20mpg in a 617.

skip the blending, i learned my lesson. These engines prefer it heated at similar viscosity to diesel. Plus after pulling coked injectors from my 300SD i decided not to go the blending route again. The SD lost its umph but it will still get up to speed without problems but defently wont blend again.

I say go for the SDL if you plan to install a 2-tank heated kit. Otherwise stick with the 300D and hope you can go another 10K with blending. Although i dont think you will without some major work to the engine.

How so? you know there is a reason why i went with the V8 in my new W140. After test driving about 4 S320's my 87 300D would leave the gasser in the dust.

In my diesel i put the pedal to the floor and it gets up to 60mph within seconds. The S320 stomp on the pedal and nothing....nothing....nada.....40mph....55mph...now your getting there.

actually come to think of it. My ex 300SD with lowish compression will outrun a S320 from a stoplight.

I dont think the 603's even in the LWB W126 are slow to gather speed. compare it to a S320 and youll know what i mean!

You already have a 4 door sedan, if it were me I'd want the coupe. The m103 inline six is a beautiful high revving engine that comes to life *after* 4000RPM , much more entertaining than the 603 which peters out at about 4000 RPM (though has much more high rpm oomph than a 617). The 300CE will be faster around town (despite the 200 ft-lbs from the 603) and on the highway, due to higher horsepower and less weight.
Both engines have their problems, the gas engine can lose its head gasket and the diesel can crack its cylinder heads. Neither should be an issue if they were taken care of. But you don't really know that do you... the m103's I'd say is the safer bet... head gasket is easier to take care of than a cylinder head.

I've never driven an S320, however, by specification, the two should be comparable. Usually, the gasser has shorter gears to compensate for the lack of low end torque. If the S320 had equivalent gearing, I can certainly imagine that it's also a bit slow and requires quite a bit of rpm's.

Someone that came to my GTG had a 300SDL with a two tank heated system. He had no issues on it with 5k on the conversion.