Hey guys thinking about buying a 1991 350SD that has had the following work done.

The engine overhauled 50,000 miles ago, has all the paperwork, The pistons, rods and bearings were all replaced, The transmission was done 12k miles ago, The car has 253k on it. Has new brakes all around and new tires. The A/C and everything else works (windows ,seats , antenna, sunroof, locks. Paint is original and is in great shape. So is the interior.

What is a good offer price for this car?

Were the cylinder bores damaged by bent rods? Were cylinder sleeves installed?

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

interesting...


I had always hear the rod design was too weak and MB didn't supply the revised rods for parts. Only the crate motors got the new design.

It would make me nervous. If the engine was an MB rebuilt or a Metricmotors rebuilt OK, if not... I would touch it.


M

The revised rods are listed in the EPC.

Was the car driven mostly on the highway or in the city after the rebuild? I'd ask to take it on a long test drive (100+ miles let's say) and check the oil usage.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Not sure on those items yet but I think I can pick it up for about $3,000

For that price it might be worth the risk.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

The car also has new headlight surrounds / new glowplugs / fresh oil and filter change/ new power steering hose and flush. The only thing the car needs is floor mats as the current owner threw them out because they were dirty. Pretty much a turn key car, original books/ records and 3 sets of keys.

For $3k I think you have a good deal (assuming the car is in as excellent shape as you imply). If the engine rebuild is questionable it may be closer to a 2k car or less.

Worst case scenario the engine bends a rod and starts consuming oil. You replace the engine with one from an 86-87 300 SDL. You may have to wait to find the right one but I've seen them lower than $1000 with a good engine and bad body. If you planned on keeping the car a LONG time (like the rest of your life), after you buy it I would be keeping my eyes open for a rusted 300SDL with a good engine to buy and park or just take the drivetrain out to keep and sell/junk the rest.

__________________
2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

The owner says it does not consume any oil but you know how that goes. I would assume the engine was rebuilt correctly as it was a high ticket item on this car. I will be using the car as a second car to drive here and there around town mainly and possibly on rare out of town trips. If for some reason it started using oil I would drive it into the ground until it died.....then sell it to one of you guys.

If the rods were replaced, then it's no longer a rod-bender candidate.

$3000 is a deal IMHO, assuming the body is in good shape.

__________________
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)