How rare are the SDL model diesels? I see some member post on some and really like the body style wondering how many were built out there still?

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2004 Infiniti G35 3.5L 6mt Coupe 73K miles 25.6mpg ytd
2001 Green Audi TT 225 AWD Roadster 71K 6sp 30.9mpg >>STOLEN<<
1982 300D Turbo 231K 120hp? 28.1mpg YTD

Supposedly:

1986 MY - 8274 built.
1987 MY - 5509 built.
1990 MY - 2050 built.
1991 MY - 875 built.

The one year only 350SD - 2066 MY.

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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]

There were under 14000 of the 'real' 3.0 litre OM603 powered 300SDLs built. Look for one with a decent body and good records. They are out there. Don't be afraid of high mileage as long as the car is in good shape and has those important service records.

Many many more OM617 powered 300SDs were built and while they are good cares, they are light years away from the sophistication of the SDL.
I have had both and I would not go back from the SDL.

Do a search of this site for W126 buying tips (W126 is the model) and also search for OM603 for threads dealing with the engine.

Look on Craig's list, this site,etc for decent examples...

Good luck!

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"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad

Pick one........any one.........and it's yours.........I can't wrench on all of these forever.

How's that E38 treating ya? My V12 still doesn't want to kick the AC on.

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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]

It's original problem was finally solved by replacing the backplate. Mechanic should have done that originally and saved me nearly $1K of chasing ghosts.

Of course, now that it's running well...........it needs to find itself another issue...........and it does............ABS light is now on permanently.

SDL does the same thing... now the sunroof header panel fell off its fir trees and I cant figure out how to remove it..

lol

Well, on the M/B's with 200K on the clock, some repairs are expected. On a BMW with 60K on the clock, it's total and complete BS.........the vehicle is put together with some plastic and some paste and you pay dearly to keep the thing together.

There is a very nice example for sale located near me, in Bountiful Utah. It's listed on Ebay. I believe it is a Newport Beach car with no rust. I haven't gone to look at it yet, but I'm tempted.

The owner is a diesel enthusiast. He has 3 MB Diesels. In all these years, I've never even ridden in a 300SDL. I never imagined it would be that different than my 1983 300SD.

If I can be of service, let me know.

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1979 240D, 4spd manual, Power Sunroof, manual windows, 147k miles, Pastel gray/Black MB Tex.
1991 300D 2.5 - Smokes like it's on Crack!

The two are completely and totally different vehicles. If the gauges weren't the same, you'd swear that the two were not the same chassis.

They AREN't the same chassis --- look at the back doors. Right???

Speaking of 300SDL options, the parts car I have has the very rare reclining back seat option. I'd let someone have the entire back seat with the shelf for $250 plus shipping. Comes with switches and all hardware.

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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

PLEASE, go look at it and drive it. PLEASE check it for blowby and rust.

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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

I think around 14-15K SDL were made in 86,87. They were the most efficient diesel ever made at 28-30mpg. Very roomy and were used by diplomats.

I have the foresight and hoarded 3 in the last year. 2 are almost perfect with every works. One has the reclining back seat which is nice. The other one is a project car and I am restoring it. The beauty of the SDL is that there are a lot of spares parts ( SD, SE, SEL etc ) in the junk yard with the exception of the engine.

They are sought after cars but you should be able to get one if you look hard enough but expect to pay a premium for it.

Goof Luck.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

I gots the rarest of them all

875 for MY 1991..... Go to the back of the line Mr. mass production

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."