buy or avoid 350SD's?

[dbenz600g]

Howdy fellers... & gals. I'm new to the forum and the Columbus, OH area coming from TN and just getting into the MB diesel market. I was within a fraction of an inch to almost buying two 350SD's off ebay ( I know, dont laugh); as I like to sleep on things anymore before doing something impetuous (like buying my vettes), I was told by someone to avoid these 350 diesels like the plague and run away as fast as I could. The guy works for national diesel parts supplier so I figured he might know a little something I didnt. Since I"m new to this and dont really know if its legit to name names yet {and since i dont have his permission yet} I'll just hold off on that for now.... but this feller may have saved my hide. He says these rigs are well-known by the well-read, versed, and long-time mb owners as 'Rod-benders'. What say you, out there? Do I owe this guy a serious big-time thanks or case of beer? Now that its after-the-fact, it should have been pretty obvious that when
something is only made one-year [1991] that something is seriously wrong. Is that a fair assumption...at least in this case? Would there be any HD rod upgrades or other misc what-not out there to fix these engines and make them pretty sweet...oh yeh, and reliable? What do you folks think? Thanks for any advice or post.

[d.delano]

Yes, the rods bend in these, and it costs super big $$ to make them right. Avoid.

[300SDog]

Now that its after-the-fact, it should have been pretty obvious that when something is only made one-year [1991] that something is seriously wrong.

There you go - now you've got it...... When shopping for Mercedes Benz pick the model that changed the least over the greatest length of time.

[t walgamuth]

the 350 was built beginning in 90 and was built through around 95 or so. it is the 603 engine displacing 3.5 liters,although in later years carried the designation of 300sd for some reason.

the purchase of one is to be entered into with great care. they are great driving cars when all is right though. and everything except the engine is pretty excellent and reliable and high quality.

the 3.0 liter version of the 603 is NOT known for bending rods and is fully interchangable with the 3.5 liter version.

tom w

Your best bet is to avoid the 91-95 300SD/350SD.

[MarioCR]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Your best bet is to avoid the 91-95 300SD/350SD.

Yeah, good advice!
I have a 1992 300SD with 200K on it. For my little experience and, most, for what I read on the different forums on the net, any car with this age (or more) and mileage may have problems. Still, the 300SD is a great car, full of comfort and style. And top safety.
Whoever says that you have to avoid it, is because probably he doesn't know it. You can buy a 1991 300SD and have the double of problems you may have with a 1992 300SD.
Good luck.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by dbenz600g

He says these rigs are well-known by the well-read, versed, and long-time mb owners as 'Rod-benders'. What say you, out there? Do I owe this guy a serious big-time thanks or case of beer?

Welcome to the forum.

You owe the guy a serious big-time thanks.......or a case of beer.

He potentially saved you $7,000.

If you wish to read for hours, do a search on "rod bender" on this forum. Many sorry stories for your perusal.

[engatwork]

I've got a friend that just picked up a '91 350SDL with 168k miles on it. Bought it for $6500 and to the uninformed is a beautiful, great driving and running car but it does have a poor rep. Anyway, for right now the car is fine. I just changed the gp's in it and checked for timing chain stretch and it is quite obvious that someone took great care of this car because it was absolutely spotless under the cam cover. It will be interesting to see how long it runs before the engine lives up to it's rep. He drives the heck out of it so it probably won't be long.

keep in mind:
Nothing is impossible to the uninformed.

[MarioCR]

A question:
who else (beside Sixto) had a bent rod on a CO603.971 ???

[Hatterasguy]

I think the 350SD is probably the best W126 diesel model to have. Its a throwable SWB version with all the nice updated stuff they got in 1989, plus a more powerfull engine. Thats if you can live with the engine, it may fail on you. Otherwise the car itself is great, one of the best.

Look for a 1986-87 300SDL. Same 603 a bit less torque, but they move right along.

[Hit Man X]

Originally Posted by MarioCR

A question:
who else (beside Sixto) had a bent rod on a CO603.971 ???

DslBnz or some such is the cats handle on here. He has a few that died.



I'd take a 350SDL no sweat and be ready to drop a 3.0L into one. You receive the updated interior, options, etc. I know of ONE 350SD '91 that I've ever seen... and between Dallas and Houston there are tons of vehicles. The motor took a dump in the 350, it was bought new in Dallas and is sitting at some repair shop.

It's black with a grey interior. About 298k on the ticker.

I have come to the conclussion that as far as Mercedes sedans go that I am not interested in anything made after the W126's, W123's, or W201's.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by MarioCR

A question:
who else (beside Sixto) had a bent rod on a CO603.971 ???

Jim Smith, one of the moderators of DD, had one.

There was a fellow outside of Boston who had one. It was a beautiful vehicle with a bad engine. A few years ago he got about $5K for it.

There are others.............

[JimmyL]

They have their reputation based on a higher than average failure rate of the same type. IE: rod bending
Of course it doesn't mean they all do, so you will have folks pop on to say that their's is fine.
It's like head gaskets on Ford V-6's. Happens to an inordinate amount.....

[fj bertrand]

Phooey. The 350SDL still turns heads and my coworkers don't believe that it is a 1991. It is timeless. Out of the 875 imported in 1991, I would REALLY like to know how many 'rod benders' there are out there. More than all the imports. You missed a beautiful MB. Take it from an owner...