Former 300D owner wants a 350SDL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bengoshi2000 · #1 08-31-2017, 10:33 AM

Long post... turn back now and save yourselves...

It's been several years since I was last on here. Sold my 300D 4 years ago and have been driving an '02 Golf TDI since. Now the first born child is getting ready to drive. He's going to get the Golf and I'm interested in a W126 diesel.

I've found a 350SDL locally and I wanted opinions, or at least some guidance on what to look for (or avoid stepping in).

The Good
- 2nd owner. Has all receipts since day one, window stickers, etc.
- Car came out of TN 5 years ago.
- 132,000 original/documented miles.
- Interior is 7/10 (it could be 9/10, really needs a good cleaning).
- Front end suspension/steering redone about 500 miles ago (all but shocks).
- AC converted to r134 by Mercedes before he bought it. It does blow cold.
- No visible rust.
- Body is straight... a minor ding here and there.
- No funny smells indicating water leaks.
- Front end is tighter than any 300D i've driven... I swear it corners better than my Golf.
- new glow plugs
- possibly new injectors... i can't recall.
- turbo replaced 4 years ago
- no splits in dash or window sills
- Brakes redone within the last 5,000 miles.

The Bad (but not unexpected for a 26 year old car)
- missing some interior bits (like the clips that hold the sun visors on the free end, the escutcheon around the seat belt mounts on the b-pillars)
- engine bay needs a degreasing/cleaning. It has the typical diesel leaks/dirt.
- car sat for about 4 years before this owner bought it 5 years ago. He spent some $$ getting it back up to par.
- driver's seat side bolster leather is worn through.
- rear passenger window inoperable.
- AC doesn't blow like it should. I suspect either the vacuum pods that activate blend doors, etc... or the fan motor resistors are shot.
- Interior/exterior needs a thorough cleaning.
- seat belt warning light won't turn off
- low fuel warning indicator is on (even though it had a half tank)
- needs a valve cover gasket
- Transmission shifts hard on light acceleration. Smooths out once your foot is in it. This is an easy linkage adjustment though.

The Ugly
- The paint (dark metallic grey). The hood top and trunk lid got repainted at some point and that paint is decent (7/10). The sides need help (4/10). It will need a repaint within 5 years.
- Owner is a farmer and he occasionally hauls stuff in the trunk.
- still has original spare... i wouldn't trust it.
- lots of leaves and debris in the hinge pockets... ripe for the same rust through/water entry problem that my 300D had.

As far as the owner goes, I trust him. He's not trying to oversell it. I think he knows what he has, flaws included. He's selling it because three other vehicles (farm truck, another truck and a '99 300E diesel). He's also more than willing for me to come out to the farm with my ramps and give it the once over. He also said that he's good friends with a shop near my house and said that he'd be happy to take it there and put it up on the lift for me to look around.

My largest concern is the reputation this engine has for throwing rods. As I understand it, once the engine is burning oil, damage is done and failure is eminent. I want to go through the work history he has and see if there has been any major engine work or replacement done.

What other thinks should I be looking for?

jake12tech · #2 08-31-2017, 10:42 AM

I wouldn't buy it unless the engine was rebuilt or replaced. Swapping an engine is not exactly a fun thing to do if you don't have to do. They're great cars otherwise.

GregMN · #3 08-31-2017, 11:08 AM

You did not mention the biggest factor in the equation, the price.
It might not be a bad deal if it is free.
Some cars, free is too expensive....

Bengoshi2000 · #4 08-31-2017, 11:46 AM

Derp!

$6600

Owner appears to be negotiable, but I never push that question until I'm ready to buy.

Volvo Diesel · #5 08-31-2017, 12:06 PM

That seems very expensive for what you describe. Just for comparison, consider:

https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2007-mercedes-benz-e320/6285037818.html

I have no knowledge of the craigslist car; it could be a total basket case. However, it appears to have good paint, some service history, and it's at least 15 years newer than the 350SDL (and, while it's no W126 in terms of classic styling, it does have tons of safety features not available on the W126). The V6 Bluetec does suffer from the oil cooler leak issue, but that's nothing compared to having to replace the 3.5 in the SDL because it bends a rod.

This is all just my opinion. It just sounds to me like that's a very high asking price for a car for which the negative attributes greatly outweigh the positive...

-Chris

Bengoshi2000 · #6 08-31-2017, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volvo Diesel

That seems very expensive for what you describe.

This is all just my opinion. It just sounds to me like that's a very high asking price for a car for which the negative attributes greatly outweigh the positive...

-Chris

Agreed, his price is too high. If I work my way around to buying it, $4500 would be top dollar.

As far as the link you posted, I've got zero interest in the e320's (or really anything newer than '91... except maybe an early W140, but that has the same engine doesn't it?). I need a car that I can work on myself. If a 350sdl is not in the cards, I'll likely look to an '85 300D or SD. Those are known quantities to me (OM617).

Diseasel300 · #7 08-31-2017, 12:15 PM

Asking price is way out of sight for that car. You could maybe justify it if it were a garage queen and the entire car were a 9/10. Given the poor reputation of the 3.5L OM603 and the number of 350SDL specific parts (expensive to replace/repair), I'd walk away. The unknowns can easily escalate into expensive territory very quickly if you aren't careful. If he were asking $1000-1500 for the car in that shape I don't think any of the red flags would be popping up.

ROLLGUY · #8 08-31-2017, 12:34 PM

There is always my 91 350 sdl on Inland Empire California Craigslist. 128000 original miles and all records since new. Paint is near perfect and the interior is probably at least an 8 out of 10. Check it out.....Rich

cmac2012 · #9 08-31-2017, 01:35 PM

I've seen sellers who are asking an absurd price lower that price by maybe $500 a month until someone bites. Meanwhile, a lot of people invest their time in checking out an untenable deal.

But who knows, if you decide you're willing to invest $2500 and give him that as a solid offer he may call you in a few months and agree to it.

I have no experience with the 350 but I've heard about the issues. Doesn't seem to be easy to find a good used 3.0 603.

But who knows, at that mileage you might get enough years out of it to find that engine and eventually get 400k out of the chassis.

Maxbumpo · #10 08-31-2017, 02:05 PM

Rod bender: If no evidence that it has had the head gasket replaced or the engine replaced, then it is a roll of the dice. You could immediately have the head gasket replaced, and while the head is off measure the piston heights to make sure the #1 piston rod isn't already bent.

Worse case scenario, engine is toast, you swap in an OM606 turbo with intercooler, keeping your OM603 mechanical injection pump. You'll get a nice bump in power and a far more reliable engine with more power and better mileage.

Maxbumpo · #11 08-31-2017, 02:06 PM

All of these points plus examples of better condition cars at lower prices can be used as leverage to negotiate a lower price.

Bengoshi2000 · #12 08-31-2017, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

There is always my 91 350 sdl on Inland Empire California Craigslist. 128000 original miles and all records since new. Paint is near perfect and the interior is probably at least an 8 out of 10. Check it out.....Rich

Only one problem ROLLGUY... I'd have to get it over here to the east coast.

I appreciate the straightforward advice, folks.

My main reason at looking for a 350SDL was my gut feeling that the OM617 SDL's were a bit anemic. I have a 14 year old who's nearly 6'1" and it's almost sad to see him in the back seat of my Golf going to school in the mornings. He looks like a folded grasshopper.

So, whether I pursue this 350sdl or not, what kind of work would you want to see in the service records to make you comfortable with an OM603? Or is an OM603 simply a deal breaker?

EDIT: Maxbumpo posted while I was typing. So at a minimum, I'd want to see the headgasket replaced, if not the entire engine. Anything else?

ROLLGUY · #13 08-31-2017, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bengoshi2000

Only one problem ROLLGUY... I'd have to get it over here to the east coast.

I appreciate the straightforward advice, folks.

My main reason at looking for a 350SDL was my gut feeling that the OM617 SDL's were a bit anemic. I have a 14 year old who's nearly 6'1" and it's almost sad to see him in the back seat of my Golf going to school in the mornings. He looks like a folded grasshopper.

So, whether I pursue this 350sdl or not, what kind of work would you want to see in the service records to make you comfortable with an OM603? Or is an OM603 simply a deal breaker?

EDIT: Maxbumpo posted while I was typing. So at a minimum, I'd want to see the headgasket replaced, if not the entire engine. Anything else?

Not that it matters, but the head gasket was replaced on mine about 8,000 miles ago.
And yes, there is more room in the back seat than in the front.

GregMN · #14 08-31-2017, 03:03 PM

For that price I would expect a documented crate motor installed.
I have owned two W126 SDL's, one was a 350. Walk away. Look for a 300.
A 320CDI is so close to the same price as to not make a difference.

sixto · #15 08-31-2017, 09:03 PM

The 603.97 doesn't throw rods. #1 and #6 rods bend enough to oval the cylinders leading to oil consumption and smoke. Oil consumption and smoke will be intolerable before it leaves you stranded. By then #2 and #5 rods are bent as well. You can't tell a bent rod from a good rod without a straight edge and feeler gauge.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon