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86 300SDL Pros / Cons
I have read some threads before and am kicking around the idea of buying an 86 300SDL. I am going to look at the car either Thursday or Saturday and am not in a rush. I have a few questions:
1. How to tell if the issue with the head has been resolved / replaced 2. Any other major things on this car to look for. I believe the ad says 258,000 miles so I am guessing I should try to confirm a timing chain replacement ? What else ? As a couple we each put 60-80 miles a day on our cars. Now the 300SD is fine and I love the Suburban but the mileage has gotten to the point where we may just use it around town. Thoughts ? I am also looking at a 97 E320D just for yucks ( 158,000 miles ) Thanks
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92 500E Silver 66k 82 Porsche 911SC 84K 68 Cadillac ( Gone Now ) 03 Suburban Z71 200K 85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad ) |
#2
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1. Ask if head gasket has been replaced. Check head number. Check for oil in the antifreeze. Engine running smooth? If rough and burning engine oil,head gasket may be bad at oil passage near #1 cylinder.
Some head gaskets wear out and the #14 head remains good. 2. Vac pump should be the updated model, has screw heads on the front cover. 3. Updated radiator is a plus, necks break off the early ones.
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Present 1987 300SDL 1991 300SL 1990 560SEL 2001 ML320 Past 1969 200D 1979-82 1983 300SD 1984-85 1972 250C 1982-02 1995 S350 2011 1997 S320 2012 |
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1) How much money are you prepared to spend on maintenance (parts and labor) every year on this vehicle? Give me an average figure.
2) How much time (labor) are you willing to invest to repair it every year on this vehicle? Give me an average figure. 3) Consider the life of the engine to be 400K miles without major expense. Are you prepared to dispose of it for scrap value at this point? |
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At 200k my original timing chain was still within spec, and currently at 234k my #14 head and original headgasket are performing fine.
A 17/20/22 head and/or newer headgasket is a plus for sure but don't walk away from a good car just because of the #14. If its been cared for and you continue to care for it the head may never be an issue.
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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500 Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i |
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100% agree. I've owned several through 250k miles, all chains and heads have been flawless. Current one was pulled apart at 246k and still had all of the crosshatching in the bores, ... these engines are great if not abused.
Quote:
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Gone to the dark side - Jeff |
#6
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concur
I have a 1987 300SDL with about 50K miles on a factory crate engine replacement with a #20 head.
Sometimes you find a good one.
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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 |
#7
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If its been maintained, then the #14 head as said previously is a non-issue. For that matter, a #17 and higher head doesn't mean much if the car has been beaten up.
I have the original #14 head on my SDL - the short block is a MB crate with approx 150k miles, while the actual #14 head has almost 270k miles. The only reason the short block was replaced is when the P.O. cracked the pan at highway speed. The car is still a pleasure to drive, and we frequently take her on long road trips up/down the CA coast without any hesitation. For piece of mind, you might consider getting a pre-purchase inspection though. |
#8
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I have read so many horror stories about that car and have seen a nice one fail catastrophically that would not touch one myself at any price. There must have been good reason why the production run was so short. Why not get a 126 300SD instead? Cast iron heads don't care about miles.
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#9
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So......what's the asking price and any specifics on the car?
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#10
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Another SDL nay-sayer from someone who has never owned a 603? Always funny!
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Gone to the dark side - Jeff |
#11
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Quote:
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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles 06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU 91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion 19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi Fourteen other MB's owned and sold 1961 Very Tolerant Wife |
#12
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Quote:
There was a 300TD in the for sale section that at like 490k miles it blew the original head gasket under the original #14 head. And the first response was something to the effect of "typical 603" I about fell out of my chair.
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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500 Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i |
#13
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All of this is helpful. The owner is asking $2,550. for it so I am going to see it this weekend if possible. I know it has been for sale for a few months so it may not be in great shape though. The owner has a few other Benz's in his driveway so that could be a good or bad sign. I will update if I get there this weekend. I just found out I am needed at work on Sunday so that leaves 1 day for all the things on my Honey-Do list.
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92 500E Silver 66k 82 Porsche 911SC 84K 68 Cadillac ( Gone Now ) 03 Suburban Z71 200K 85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad ) |
#14
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Quote:
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#15
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Not sure the condition of the body on yours but I bought my SDL for that price with 370K on it. One of the best decisions I've ever made. As long as you can be confident in the history of the head on the car (No overheating) a 14 head can be nothing to worry about. I can't wait to hit 500K on mine!
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Serenity-86' 300SDL 482,000 miles (on a "14" head!) |
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