How does the '85 sd do for city driving?

I have seen on here that the sdl "hates" slugging from stop light to stop light.

Is this the case with the previous model 'sd?

I have a 190d that greats in the city but am looking for something bigger since I'm 6'2" and 275lbs.

I found an '85 sd in good shape and well priced that I'm considering.

Any feedback would be great.

I drove a 85 SDL (500 SEL, with 83 300 SD motor) around for the city for a few years, I worked part time doing pizza delivery while working on my masters degree.

Because it is the 5cyl, it has more low end torque than the actual SDL,
My daily driver currently is an 85 300 SD, I would say that it makes a very good city driver.

The actual weight diff between a 300 D and a 300 SD is only about 300lbs, about the weight of a heavy passenger. and some tools. The SD is bigger, Several inches longer, and feels wider. The SD will be a much bigger car than your 190,

If you are willing to spend the money for a real nice W126 SD, you will be very happy, and it will ruin you for other cars. I have often bought SD's for around 800-1000 and I have always had to spend tons of time or $$, to get them "Right Enough".

All that being Said, Im building a SEC with an 86 SDL motor in it to be my next daily driver.

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1984 Euro 300SDC, (4spd standard)
1986 Toyota Landcruiser Diesel HJ60 5spd X2

Gone but not forgotten (some sold, some stripped)
1983 300 SD, 1985 300 SD, 1983 240D, 1986 300 SDL, 1985 300 SDL, 1983 300 D, 1984 300 D, 1985 300SD, 1987 300 SDL, 1983 300 SD, 1985 300 TD Euro, 1983 380SEC, 1990 300 D, 1987 300D, 1982 300D, 1982 300D, 1994 E420, 1987 300 TD, 1987 300 D, 1984 300 D

You'll have no issues in using the SD for city driving unless you're the type of individual who needs to win the stoplight wars.

It will accelerate in "reasonable" time at 2200 rpm and will easily get to the next traffic light at the same time as the gassers.

If, however, you'll be doing 0-60 stop and go from light to light, the lack of horsepower might become an issue for you. But, it's really personal taste............do you need 250 hp..........or not?

An 85 300SD or 300D is a little better at being a highway car with the 2.88 rear end. You probably will be better of with an 82-84 for strictly city use. It will work just fine, it just may not be optimal.

My 85 works fine around town

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green 85 300SD 200K miles "Das Schlepper Frog" With a OM603 TBO360 turbo ( To be intercooled someday )( Kalifornistani emissons )
white 79 300SD 200K'ish miles "Farfegnugen" (RIP - cracked crank)
desert storm primer 63 T-bird "The Undead" (long term hibernation)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/fe-graphs/sig692a.png

My 83sd is no speed demon but it will stay with traffic nicely. Kinda slow from a dead stop, but then I am used to driving an SEC or a 95 Impala SS the rest of the time so most cars seem a bit slow to me. I don't have people honkin at me to get out of the way so I would say it is fine for the city.

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1989 560 SEC, 118,000
1983 300sdt, 240.000

this is perfect. sounds like this car would work fine for going to and from work.

again, i was concerned about about what i'd learned about the sdl and wanted to make sure this wasn't an issue for me.

I don't know why, but I've wanted an sd for a long time. There's something about it I love.

SDL has plenty of power getting going from a dead stop, at least mine does. I think my SD would take it to 10-20mph tops then it'd pull away. It's simply quicker.

It's just a big party barge for the streets so I typically take the shorter vehicle for the tiny parking spots near me. Another reason I picked up this 240D, large trunk, adequate power for 0-40mph, easy to park. Just a good run about in town. SD is good for mixed. SDL really shines on the freeway.

Both I just leave in 3rd gear for in town driving (sub 45mph) and the fuel economy hasn't changed enough to notice. This keeps the turbo spooled up for better response.

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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]