300sd and 300sdl. Differences? When was antilock available in US?
 

I have an '82 300CD, so I'm somewhat familiar with 80's mercedes diesels.
How does the 300sd differ from the 300d?
What is different between the 300sd and 300sdl?
Also, when did they first get antilock brakes?

The 300SD is a W-126 chassis, larger, heavier, and longer than the W-123 bodies that you are familiar with. They feature a few more amenities and the ride is a bit better.

The 300SDL is 5" longer than the 300SD. Otherwise identical. There are differences from year to year in engines and options.

The '86 definitely had antilock brakes..........the '85 might have them...........the '84 did not have them.

What kind of amenities?

They have the large car ride, softer, smoother, more body roll?

Is that extra 5" rear passenger leg room?

The '85 still had the om617 didn't it?

'84 was the year that M-B introduced ABS in the US, I don't know when it became standard.

Amenites such as power seats, a separate vacuum system for the door locks, seats that are more comfortable, a map light, better armrests...........etc.

The ride is slightly softer.........not dramatically so. The body roll is very similar. "Smoothness" is slightly better.

Yes.

Yes.

SD vs SDL
 

Brother in law owned an SDL and to the best of my knowledge the L is longer and indicates limosine status. Some even had reclining seats.

Do you know the differential ratios in '84 and '85, or the rpms at 65-70mph?

Don't have a clue.:scholar: Sure there are lot's of experts here.If not fastlane might be a good route or even MBUSA.

Other bits of info found online:
"The 85 SD is a nice car, the vacuum amplifier, first used that year, makes for a smoother shifting transmission and the final diff of 2.88 makes for a much more relaxed - and economical - high speed cruising."
"Airbags, as an additional measure of occupant protection. The driver side airbag premiered on 1985 models (standard on 500 SEL and 500 SEC, optional on 300 SD, 380 SE, and 380 SL), and the passenger side airbag premiered in 1989."
"Seat belt pretensioners ETR enabled all seat belts (with exception of rear centre lap belt on sedans) to tighten when the car sensed conditions that could lead to an accident; such as sudden, forceful braking."
"Anti-lock braking system ABS brakes (as introduced by its predecessor, the W116)"

I remember our 300SDL actually having less body roll than my 300D.. go figure. The suspension was probably in better shape.

What about a block heater? Not available, optional, or standard?

They all have block heaters, or one can be installed.

1984 was the first year that a drivers side airbag and ABS were offered, but they were an expensive option so are rare.

Lol, I CAN install one on my 300CD, and plan to, but it's a major task.

Do you know about '85? Was ABS standard or still an option? Were block heaters standard or an option?

In 84 and 85 ABS and the drivers side airbags were options in W126's you see them once in awhile in 300SD's. But the SD's were the cheap cars, you see them more often in gray market 500SEL's. When the W126 got its big face lift for the 1986 model year they were made standard.

A 617 is a 617 doesn't matter what car its in, the block heater is the same as your car. Similer to the 603/6 as well.

Ah. Thought the block heater might be added on just because it's a S model. Bummer.