Greetings! Let me first start out by saying that this economy has gotten to me sooner than I thought. Hopefully it hasn't been that bad to any of you [and your diesels].

We have 5 cars for 3 drivers here in Northridge CA. My dad and I have 4 Diesels at our house. 3 of them are MB Diesels:

1983 300SD with 350 000mi + (Odo busted)
1984 300CD with 190 000mi + (Odo also busted w. rebuilt Tranny)
1987 300SDL with 184 000mi (#14 Head)


We are trying to cut unnecessary costs so my dad said that we have to offload at least 1 of the MBs but preferably 2.

If you were me, what would you keep, what would you give away?

Sell the car that would get you the most money... Either the SDL or CD depending on condition.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

It depends on your priorities. Your 300SD has the highest mileage, will bring the least cash in instant sale, and only you know if it is dependable enough to be a reliable daily driver, or if it is a money pit. It is, though I hate to say it, and would LOVE to own one someday, the most bulletproof of the three but also the commonest. If your personal economy situation improves in a year or two and you want to get an extra diesel, the 300SD will be the EASIEST of the three to replace with an identical twin. Of the three they come the closest, while not close, to fitting the dime-a-dozen category.

The 300CD is the most rare of the three by far... it's got the same bulletproof engine as the 300SD, is probably more expensive to keep on the road, and is CERTAINLY going to bring the most cash in if you sold it tomorrow, unless it's beat to pieces. It may have sentimental value, it's going to be the rarest one to find a replacement for in a few years if you want one, but it's also going to put the most money in your pocket, perhaps enough to let you keep both of the others for a while. On the other hand, both of the others are almost identical, so you may want to choose two-to-keep and have the variety of a w123 plus a w126.

The 300SDL is your lowest mileage, with a head that's nothing to worry about unless you overheat it. It's got as much life left in it as the 300CD does, whereas the 300SD (the first car I mentioned) is perhaps closer to death simply due to its higher mileage, although it's also the most bulletproof (arguably). The 300SDL engine, in my limited experience and in other members' far more extensive experience, can be every bit as trustworthy as the other two 5-cylinder cars you have, so reliability may not be a factor in this decision.

I may have just helped to confuse you, but that's how I'd approach the issue.

In order from easiest to hardest of replacement later when the finances allow it:
300SD, 300SDL, 300CD

In order from highest to lowest mechanical reliability as a daily driver (helps not to be paying for parts all the time) -
The Two Low Mileages, 300SD. (Although you may know your SD well enough to continue to trust it).

In order of most to least cash in your pocket if you sell it next week, if $$ is an issue:
300CD, 300SDL, 300SD.

In order of the one you feel the most attachment to:
You fill in the blank.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

I would keep the SDL.
I would sell the SD first, the CD next.......

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

eye h8 agreein with jimmy but he is correct

__________________
commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)

I just got a brainstorm! Figure out a nice high price for each car within reason. Your job.

Take all 3 to a busy road, line em up. See what sort of interest you get.

Let the buyers tell you what to sell. Heck they half the deal.

Let me know if you think this is possible. I'd do it this way.

You'll have em all pulling over to take-a-look and you will get your best price IMHO.

They has to be more nuts out there besides us!

Go reel em in!

__________________
1982 300SD

Oh dear Lord, I may need to rethink my position now......

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

keep the SDL, sell the SD or CD

all depends on how much work each of them is utimately the deciding factor. If you got major body work then get rid of those.

__________________
1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

Keep the 300SDL, it provides smoother ride, its bigger, far better fuel economy, no more valve adjustment, Intercool ready fast and it's a real head turner, keep the sdl it rare too.

__________________
Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi

An observation about the 300CD- who would buy a car with a busted odo and not haggle the price down for every last dollar??

I think the SDL is the most sale worthy, but put them all on craigslist and see what happens.

Good luck- the great global recession/depression/correction is going to take a long time to work out sadly.

Hey guys.....

It may be the "recurring costs" that is the issue. The easiest thing to do would be to put them all up for sale and keep the one that is the last to sale.

BUT....I would keep the SDL; and sell the other 2. OH....what's the 4th diesel at your house, you could sell it FIRST.

__________________
daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Definitely keep the SDL. Engine runs smoother, no valve adjustments, 2,300 RPM stall speed torque converter instead of 1,800 RPM makes for quick acceleration, and the SDL uses a better method to seal the front windshield to prevent leaks/noise than the 123 chassis. As you probably know these cast aluminum heads will definitely crack and warp if overheated. I have a 87 300TD with 294,000 miles and two years ago when I flushed the cooling system, there was air trapped in the system and I drove off and overheated the engine cracking the head at EVERY junction where the precombustion chamber and valve seats come close together. I paid $350.00 to a machine shop to smooth over the cracks with a hot tip or torch. The cracks became invisible at the surface but were still there under the surface. I've put around 60,000 miles on this damaged head with no coolant consumption. Amazing that it still works fine and better than paying $1,800 for a new head.

Well thanks for the responses guys. All sound reasonable.

The other 2 cars that we have are an 03 ML 350 and an 04 Silverado 2500HD Duramax. Mom's daily driver and truck for traveling.

The SD does seem like a money pot. As of now it needs new motor mounts. The interior is coming apart. No cracks on the leather, but the wood is cracking and peeling off. The advantage this car has is that it's been in our family. My dad's Aunt bought it new in 1982 and has stayed with her in LA and Torrance CA ever since. There was a time though that her grandchildren were with a baby sitter who lived in Carson CA but had no car. That douche wrecked the SD. She dinged it up so bad and never changed the oil. When we got the car from them in May of 2006, the car had been painted a crappy gold color (What I like to call Fool's Gold), 3 glow plugs were shot, and the alignment was WACK with crappy shocks and tires. Ever since then the undercarriage that carries the engine broke off...that was the most expensive job we ever had done on it. Welded it up.

The Advantage: It's been my first diesel to date and the first car I actually cared about (After a 91 Honda Accord). My daily driver.

The 300CD has a new paint job as well as a new Tranny. What this car has is almost the opposite the SD. Great paint job in a champagne gold but crap interior. Leather is torn in almost all places. Panels are coming out and the AC is 1/2 cold and 1/2 hot. Rough on the speed bumps, but zippy!

The Advantage: It's fast, has a PA connected to it, and is easier to park.

The 300SDL is my favorite thus far and I'm leaning to keeping it (Although my dad won't cuz of the potential problems it could face such as #14 head crack or vacuum pump, etc.) Smooth on the bumps, light on the Diesel, has a bluetooth in it and great becker radio with better stock speakers. I just waxed it last week and it was superb. Bought the Euro lights [and have been looking for euro headlight wipers forever].

The DISadvantage: The potential problems such as #14 head vacuum pump.

Wonder what I could do...

I'd take in a couple co-eds for room 'n board to drive 'em.....

If that doesn't work, I would definitely keep the SDL, and absolutely ditch/dump the other two.

Dear Abadjay,
Remember that the 603 head will crack ONLY if overheated. That engine will go just as long as a 617 if you judiciously take care of the cooling system, Fan Clutch, coolant mix ratio using ONLY mercedes coolant.
The only thing is most 603's suffer from extremely leaky stem seals which spit oil into the combustion chamber and exhaust manifold. Unlike the 617 you need a set of special tools costing $600 to compress the valves and disassemble them. Since I have a 603 and my dad a 603 and 606(97 E300) I now am willing to buy this special tool as stem seals are so often overlooked. Mercedes recommends changing them between 60-90K although hardly anyone does. Some differences between the 603 & 617 are: Bucket Tappets, single stage tuned resonance intake, 2,300 RPM torque converter(1,800 for 82-84 617), Air mass sensor, Air temp sensor, Cast Aluminum Head, single accessory belt, electronic oil pressure switch, electronic injection pump governor, encapsulated engine bay top and bottom, fuel thermostat with coolant heat exchanger, built in block heater, intake on opposite side of head as exhaust just to name a few. I'm more into the refinement of the 603/126 has to offer compared to the archaic shaky and loud old but true 617. I know how hard it is to part with a car a loved one gave you especially if they've passed. Good luck whatever you decide!