looking to join the MB diesel owner crowd
 

hello all, i just signed on to this forum. my buddy picked up a MB diesel a while back and i am hooked on these things. i have been looking around for 2 weeks now and saw a few nice ones online. one that caught my eye is a 93 300D. i hear and read forums about a certain batch of motors with "soft rods" that are destined to fail, causing the need for major and high dollar surgery. Does this particular year and model fall into that soft rod category? the vehicle is on e bay now. #300078562603 is the link. sorry for not having the actual link you can click on. i am a little techno challenged. thanks in advance. jim 95 range rover classic lwb 97 TLC 99 Ffffffford expedition

from what I know, that was the OM603.970 used in 90,91 and OM603.971 engine used in 92-94. that is a 3.5 L six cyl.

as far as i know, the 603.970 were used in 300sd(92,93) or s350 (94)

and the 603.971 was put into the 90,91 350sdl

Insulation wires
 

Someone just told me today that the electrical wiring MB used in 1993 was some cheaper stuff, and the insulation came off the wires, then you had a bunch of electrical problems, and it would need a new wiring harness, costing about $900.

Good luck.
1991 300d, 101k

This applies to the 1993 300E with the M104 (gasoline) motor, not to any diesels.

Do a search on this site for "Rod Bender"

This is the W140. The 3.5 diesels in these are often VERY troublesome. researchmore, but I personally would stay away from this car. This auction
is for a car that could very likely be a HUGE money pit no matter how nice the car shows cosmetically

The ebay BIN price is about double what it should be. These cars are comfortable and safe and stylish, but have MANY things that can go wrong, for example the air conditioner, the evaporator repair is about a 30 hour job at the shop, the entire dash needs to be removed, it can be $3000 job, easily. I would avoid these cars for sure.

The 93 300D 2.5T (the W124) is a good car. Not many huge things go wrong on these. I've got the '90 version, and I love it. The only thing I don't like on it is the EDS computer which controls the turbo wastegate. If it finds anything wrong with any sensor on the car, it will hold the wastegate open and the car will be very slow.

The other diesel made in 1993, the 300SD, does have the rod bender engine, and has all the problems that come with the W140 chassis. I wouldn't recommend a 603.970 car. However, if somebody transplanted a 603.96 engine in there, (or even better a 606 turbo) it would be a great car.

Wow- lots of advice here- and most of it is in MB experienced "code". If this guy is new to mercedes diesels- he doesnt know what a 124 is- or a 140. He's thinking 300SD- and in his case he said 300D, but he was wrong- it is a 300SD. (w124/w126/w140 are all chassis designations- several models are on the same chassis, so folks frequently call them by the chassis name.) This chassis on ebay is a w140. It has the 3 liter engine- not the one he is worried about- the 3.5. So the quick answer- the car on ebay should not worry you about the engine in regards to soft piston connecting rods. The w140 is a car that Mercedes intended to complete with Bently/RR. It's repairs are very expensive compared to earlier models, but if they are previously completed, then the car is much better off. Let's give advice specific to this year(s) and chassis. For a first MB- MB/diesel, you might be better off with another chassis/model if you ask me.

I was under the impression that the 93 300SD had the 350 motor in it... I know the auction mentions 3.0litre... but they could be wrong.
this is a rare vehicle, and if it is in as great condition as the auction says...Caveat Emptor... I know, but what motor came in this year 140?
John

Edit
Gosh! I just love the OTHER cars in the pictures! 32 duce, first gen mustang, 57 Chevy and ... a C10 chevy pickup? odd. but cool too. what is that small MB in the pics? a SL? looks very cool.
also, in the pics of the back of the car. what are the chrome circles on each rear fender? they look like they could be antennas but one on each fender?
John

Not sure about this. But did the W140 not always have the 3.5 Litre rod bender?

- Peter.

Yes the W140 diesel always had the 3.5L. Unless they did a 'sixto' on it.