87 300sdl - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mrbiskit · #1 07-21-2008, 02:22 PM

Hello everyone,
I am the current owner of a 84 300D turbo with 215K, for the most part the car is in excellent condition(Great wood and interior with no rips, only one small crack in the dash). The only setback for the 84 is it has rust on it....

I have been looking for a 87 SDL for sometime now and I just found one locally that I will look at today....So, my question is What should I look for, I am fairly acclimated to the 84 300D so I feel comfortable checking one of those out, but not a 300SDL. If I get some helpful hints on what to look for as far as problems that may arise if proper maintenance isn't observed, that would be fantastic. This forum has helped do ALOT of repairs and maintenance on my 84. Frankly, it wouldn't be running if it weren't for all the helpful people on this forum......Thanks in advance. ANY INFO IS GOOD INFO. Thank you, Ben

TX76513 · #2 07-21-2008, 02:34 PM

Rust is the kiss of death for any MB. Here is a web site that has some decent buying tips for the W126 class in general. You probably know a lot of the obvious - make sure everything works or deduct accordingly to repair. There are still a lot of parts around but they some can get pricey.

Oracle12345 · #3 07-21-2008, 05:47 PM

SDl is a nice car if you can get one in good shape. Mine was dealership serviced its whole life and in its in really good condition body wise and mechincally.

LUVMBDiesels · #4 07-21-2008, 06:46 PM

Check the head number. You can see it through the intake manifoldbetween #2 and #3 cylinders. If the number has 14 in the middle you need to check for a cracked head. Start the car and see if the radiator hoses get hard quickly. Check for antifreeze in the oil too.

I too had shied away from the SDL when I bought my first MB diesel but now that I have one I cannot believe the night and day difference from the 300SD. The SDL is SMOOTH and has POWER plus gets about 3mpg better than the 81 SD did.
Other things to look at are the antilock brakes and the airbag. The airbag should not be more than 10 years old. The antilock light should not be on and if you stomp the brakes at speed, you should feel them kick in.

Run the car and see where the temperature gauge goes. You should not get hotter than 85 degrees unless you are climbing a long hill and/or have the AC on on a hot aternoon. If it goes above 100 I would not be comfortable with the car.

The rest is pretty much as in your car.

Good Luck!

Mrbiskit · #5 07-28-2008, 11:57 AM

Yeah, this guy bailed on my last minute the last time I tried to look at the car,,,about two weeks ago.. I saw it again on craigslist last night, and pretty much the same post except its 600 dollars cheaper,,,he didn't want to let it go before. His excuse was "I love this car, I can't sell it".
So, needless to say I called last night and inquired about the car, he didn't recognize me and the description he gave was exactly the same. Sounds like a straight shooter that is in a tight spot and was trying to keep the car as long as he could.

I have a question about the comment you made regarding the radiator hose, the hardness of the hose would deduce what? that the rubber is old and failing and maybe needs to be replaced before any cooling issues warp the aluminum engine parts? Or is there something else, that I am missing. I really appreciate all the helpful comments, otherwise I wouldn't be able to maintain a car like this and would be way to scared to purchase one.. THANKS EVERYONE>

daw_two · #6 07-28-2008, 01:44 PM

My personal 300SDL, "Coda", and I just made a trek to Centerville, TX for the Texas MB get together. Traveled 1,450 miles; averaged 25 mpg and I was driving fast most of the trip.

Things to look for:
rust
engine compression
working AC
all electric seat adjustments work as does seat memory --- drivers & passenger side
working sun roof
rust
should not be any damp carpet in the front and rear seat as well as the trunk
rust
working odometer and speedometer

Service records help.

rrgrassi · #7 07-28-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrbiskit

Yeah, this guy bailed on my last minute the last time I tried to look at the car,,,about two weeks ago.. I saw it again on craigslist last night, and pretty much the same post except its 600 dollars cheaper,,,he didn't want to let it go before. His excuse was "I love this car, I can't sell it".
So, needless to say I called last night and inquired about the car, he didn't recognize me and the description he gave was exactly the same. Sounds like a straight shooter that is in a tight spot and was trying to keep the car as long as he could.

I have a question about the comment you made regarding the radiator hose, the hardness of the hose would deduce what? that the rubber is old and failing and maybe needs to be replaced before any cooling issues warp the aluminum engine parts? Or is there something else, that I am missing. I really appreciate all the helpful comments, otherwise I wouldn't be able to maintain a car like this and would be way to scared to purchase one.. THANKS EVERYONE>

A hard radiator hose on a cold engine can indicate trapped exhaust gasses in the cooling system, so that could lead to either a blown head gasket or a cracked head.

Mrbiskit · #8 07-28-2008, 02:48 PM

THANKS THANKS THANKS!!!
TEX65, Oracle, LuvMB, DAw_Two, Rrgrassi,

I appreciate all the extra info. The car I am going to look at has 290K. It appears to be in good condition(I couldn't wait to see it, so I drove by the house of the seller on my lunch break to take a peek). This is what he told me.

All the rotors, brake pads, brake hoses, have been replaced as well as a rear lower control arm, shocks and struts all the way around, new chrome bumper(yet to be installed), sun roof works but leaks(has new seal from dealer) one window doesn't work(has brand new regulator) 4 new tires with the stubbies still on them. Paint and Interior are in fantastic condition.

I have a friend that has been running an 84 300D (T) for a few years, and his brother has an 87' SDL so he will be going with me, so that I may get another amateur opinion on it. $2900 sounds pretty cheap but he sounds pretty desperate. I will let you know my progress and if I acquire it, I will definitely post pictures for you guys.....Again, I appreciate all your help and time. BH

daw_two · #9 07-28-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrbiskit

THANKS THANKS THANKS!!!
TEX65, Oracle, LuvMB, DAw_Two, Rrgrassi,

I appreciate all the extra info. The car I am going to look at has 290K. It appears to be in good condition(I couldn't wait to see it, so I drove by the house of the seller on my lunch break to take a peek). This is what he told me.

All the rotors, brake pads, brake hoses, have been replaced as well as a rear lower control arm, shocks and struts all the way around, new chrome bumper(yet to be installed), sun roof works but leaks(has new seal from dealer) one window doesn't work(has brand new regulator) 4 new tires with the stubbies still on them. Paint and Interior are in fantastic condition.

I have a friend that has been running an 84 300D (T) for a few years, and his brother has an 87' SDL so he will be going with me, so that I may get another amateur opinion on it. $2900 sounds pretty cheap but he sounds pretty desperate. I will let you know my progress and if I acquire it, I will definitely post pictures for you guys.....Again, I appreciate all your help and time. BH

Naturally, my handle is "daw_two" and I'll just say that if the interior is IMMACULATE, then I might would be interested. That's a few miles on it. Of course, I try my best to find them with under 200,000 miles and pay the least amount I can.

Some folks just want to get rid of these old diesels.....

redassag00 · #10 07-28-2008, 06:15 PM

I have a #14 head 300SDL with 283,000 miles, she got to play with Coda this past weekend.

I dont get above 85C but with the warm weather recently, I'm touching it when idling in traffic. I dont use a drop of oil and there are no leaks, (but I did notice a trans cooler line seeping, better nip that one!).

I love my SDL, you won't regret it!

Mrbiskit · #11 07-28-2008, 07:30 PM

OK, so the paint isn't in the best, but I can't expect to get everything for three grand. Wheels and lower trim is kinda shabby. The lower trim is faded kinda green looking, any simple solutions or not so simple solution to that?

I checked it out and drove it. It starts and runs and drives great. New tires, the engine bay is super clean, and not like a steam clean (lets hide the leaks) but a good clean engine. Upper control arm ball joints are almost gone, but those are fairly cheap and easy to replace as well as the torsion bar bushings. Transmission bushing feels a little worn. Shifts very smooth without hesitation or clunking. While driving it, it was poky from a stop, but I think that is the banjo bolt on the manifold that is clogged up and contributing to its hesitation off the line. It runs very smooth, no unusual noises. I will be the 4th owner. The first two had it the majority of the time.

The guy that I am buying it from is in a tight spot. His wife(evil) is divorcing him and he wants to get rid of all his assets so she can't split them via divorce. He says he plans to spend the money on a lawyer so that he can prevent his wife from moving away with his daughter. He seemed very concerned and was enthusiastic about talking about the car, he mentioned he could buy another mercedes, but that he couldn't be without his daughter. After that I wanted to give him more money, honestly I would have if I had it. He's a good dude.

I am picking it up tomorrow, I will take pics and post them for you guys,, thanks for all the encouragement.