This 350SDL is nice...but - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

toddyvol · #1 11-09-2010, 06:26 PM

revolverman went and looked at this car and determined it to be in excellent condition inside and out.

My question....it being the notorious "rod bender", does it having 225,000 miles make it less likely for the engine to be a problem?

also

Is there anyway to determine if it is using oil other than taking the owners word for it?

I posted this on the craigslist section last week but got very little response.

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/2039509449.html

Aquaticedge · #2 11-09-2010, 06:36 PM

make sure the compression is good and just keep an eye on it

kerry · #3 11-09-2010, 06:43 PM

Puzzled by your question. Are you the owner and seller of the car or a possible buyer? Ad is odd, written in the third person. That odd style of the ad would raise questions in my mind.

compu_85 · #4 11-09-2010, 06:43 PM

From what I've seen the original motors would be over and done by 150k. That's when mine got replaced. The picture of the tail lights says a lot. Cars burning oil smoke a bunch, and it turns the driver's side reverse light black.

It looks like that may have been one of the "good" motors.

-J

toddyvol · #5 11-09-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Puzzled by your question. Are you the owner and seller of the car or a possible buyer? Ad is odd, written in the third person. That odd style of the ad would raise questions in my mind.

possible buyer

Revolverman · #6 11-09-2010, 07:37 PM

I went to look at this car and ask Toddyvol if he would ask you pros about it.

It is an odd ad and it did raise a flag...... and I mentioned this to Toddyvol early on. It is so nice inside and out and the owner is and was a very nice person but the motor has me worried.

The number listed is where the car is for sale now. I went and looked on a cold rainy day last week and was very impressed by the looks until I did a search and found many horror stories about the "rod benders".

I have a gut feeling this is a good motor and really wanted to get it but the thought of the engine crapping out in a few more K just made me back off.

I'll tell you it's a very slick car inside and out and if the motor was a 3.0 it would probably be sitting in my driveway now............

I just wanted some feedback on this one and since I looked at it my wife has informed me we just don't need another car.........so I guess this one will have to wait.

I am trying to talk Toddyvol into looking at it and doing a test run........it could last another 300 K and if he would take about 4500 it might be worth a chance..............

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=289274141&dealer_id=65818273&car_year=1991&rdm=1289169474451&model=&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=Diesel&awsp=false&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&search_type=both&distance=75&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&make=MB&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&sort_type=priceDESC&address=37803&advanced=y&end_year=2011&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=4&standard=false&rdpage=thumb

Revolverman.

LandYaghtLover · #7 11-09-2010, 07:38 PM

That seems the be the same interior as mine. Very, very dark brown dash and cluster (JAVA) with a deep gold tan for the rest (SAFRAN).

(264A DATE LEATHER - SAFRAN / JAVA)

I would love to see the build sheet for it and see what actually comes up for interior trim colors.

Nice car, but I have to laugh at this line: Rare limited edition, only 2925 produced in 1990-1991 for worldwide distribution. It even has the headlight blade wipers.

babymog · #8 11-09-2010, 08:06 PM

Nice car, but the color just kills it, one in 100 would buy a turquois or teal car unless it were a particularly significant car/color combination.

As far as the engine? A crapshoot, buy it if you don't mind the possibility that you'll be stuffing a used engine in it some day.

Revolverman · #9 11-09-2010, 08:09 PM

I wonder why they used a dark dash and not a light color because of course we now know dark is HOT in the sun.

The interior of this car was very clean with only a discoloration of sorts on the edge of the drivers seat and it was small.

It even had the original phone that still worked at least to call 911 he said.

This dash looked to be perfect.

Revolverman.

babymog · #10 11-09-2010, 08:19 PM

The dashes used to be all black low-gloss, especially in European cars. It does get hot, but it doesn't reflect its image on the inside of the windshield on sunny days, is therefore safer. Much like why jets often have flat black paint on the nose beneath the windshields.

Revolverman · #11 11-09-2010, 08:36 PM

Good information, thanks.

I just really need to stop looking at these cars............

There is just something about the sound of those motors though.....

Revolverman

Tom Evans · #12 11-09-2010, 08:58 PM

If the cellular phone is original from 1991, it has to be an analog cellular phone. Analog service ceased a couple of years ago. You can't use that phone to call even 911 now.

toddyvol · #13 11-12-2010, 12:38 PM

Just an update...

I noticed today that the price has been dropped a second time to $4900. About 2 weeks ago it started at $6900.

That quick of a price drop really makes me leary of this car.

Autotrader Link

compu_85 · #14 11-12-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Nice car, but the color just kills it, one in 100 would buy a turquois or teal car unless it were a particularly significant car/color combination.

I must be crazy, all of my ECOdiesels have been teal :S (Capri Green is the official name...)

Interesting on the price drops...

-Jason

barry123400 · #15 11-12-2010, 01:45 PM

It is always wise to factor in the installation of a 3 litre short block long term in the price on these. Then aquire a good one and put it in storage. It should hold it's value if never needed.

The worse time to aquire an engine can be when you need one. The car should undergo a real check on a lift even if it looks and seems okay. There may be a ton of work needed. Or it could be really good.

Depending on a seller is never a good ideal when it comes to disclosurers or knowledge. This car would be more appealing to me if the three litre short block was already in there. They are almost totally predictable in comparison to the three point five.

As soon as the car is good for 500k type of thing starts it always gets my antenna up. Anything can go the distance with enough money shovelled at it. . The induendo is they wil do it otherwise. I would want to examine the dealers or owners service records on this one.