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  #1  
Old 05-12-2009, 11:11 AM
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1990 350 SDL

I'm looking at a well cared for 1990 350 SDL with 185k, but I am new to these older diesel MBs, are there any particular things about this model I ought to be looking for, or in general? Much appreciated.

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  #2  
Old 05-12-2009, 11:14 AM
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AFAIK, that car has the infamous "rod-bender" engine. Do a search on "rod-bender" and you will have reading material for the rest of the day.
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  #3  
Old 05-12-2009, 11:25 AM
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They are beautiful cars,just be safe and have a 3.0 6 cyl. diesel handy for transplant.
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  #4  
Old 05-12-2009, 01:13 PM
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I think if it's not consuming oil, it may be ok.
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'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

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  #5  
Old 05-12-2009, 02:27 PM
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Prospective buyer should do a careful analysis of the engine's history. s/n of head, etc. then still don't pay a lot, its a nice car but a rotten history in general.
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  #6  
Old 05-12-2009, 02:55 PM
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Owner can't remember an engine switch, has been told it runs fine by mechanic. Wants 3k.
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  #7  
Old 05-12-2009, 05:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdpduke View Post
Owner can't remember an engine switch, has been told it runs fine by mechanic. Wants 3k.
I would be walking away - fast.

- Peter.
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  #8  
Old 05-12-2009, 08:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdpduke View Post
Owner can't remember an engine switch, has been told it runs fine by mechanic. Wants 3k.
If the car is nearly perfect otherwise, 3k is not a bad price. Is the seller the original owner? Any maintenance records? I would still get an independent pre-purchase inspection of you're serious about the car and don't know much about them. You just have to be prepared to drop in a 3 liter should this one self destruct. Some people have never had issues with the 3.5, though.
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  #9  
Old 05-12-2009, 09:40 PM
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I would seriously look at it. I've got twice that into my '86.
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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

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  #10  
Old 05-18-2009, 01:55 AM
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Original owner, has all records but car is in TX and I am in OH. He doesn't have time to get inspections and so on, but is a family friend and isn't trying to make $.
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  #11  
Old 05-19-2009, 12:43 AM
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That's a problem.
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  #12  
Old 05-19-2009, 01:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdpduke View Post
Original owner, has all records but car is in TX and I am in OH. He doesn't have time to get inspections and so on, but is a family friend and isn't trying to make $.
Is he a good family friend? Its hard to go wrong at 3k if its in really nice shape and maintained properly. I'd probably go for it, if you can trust him. Do keep in mind that there's no such thing as a old MB with less than $1000 worth of stuff wrong with it. You're getting this car well under the money, so you're off to a good start.
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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
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  #13  
Old 05-19-2009, 09:11 AM
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much appreciated everyone
J
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  #14  
Old 05-19-2009, 11:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TylerH860 View Post
Do keep in mind that there's no such thing as a old MB with less than $1000 worth of stuff wrong with it.
Wrong.

My '83 300SD had zilch "stuff wrong with it," when I sold it for $4,950.00, with 305K miles at 16 years of age. I kept it in absolutely perfect repair. You name it, it worked on it. It was an outstanding MB, the best I'll likely ever own.


Last edited by Skid Row Joe; 05-19-2009 at 12:52 PM.
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