My SDL is likely soon bound for the great junkyard in the sky. I just don't have the space to work on it, and it's well worn - 360K. Going to take off the injection pump. It was working fine, I replaced the O-rings and copper sealing washers 3 and a half years ago. I know because I just found the thread about it. Also going to take off the alum radiator that I bought for it and the motor mount shocks. They were about $85 ea, about 1 to 2 years old now.

But the punchline of this story, my 300D is a better daily driver in many ways, easier to park, less of a dog up hills. The SDL was great off the line, it's a superior car to the 300D in many ways but it's big, and hills seemed to give it fits. Apparently not quite as durable as the 617 as well. I want another one though.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

@Peter4, you posted this 4+ months ago and never update the thread. What did you decide?

I was curious, checked his post history and in mid March of this year he spent a lot of time on a thread he posted about renewing an an '86 SDL drive line. My guess he went with the grand old lady, the supposed pinnacle of luxury Mercedes diesels.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

CDI for me.

Seems the majority vote here was to go CDI. Maybe he had already made up his mind, but why not at least respond to the thread? Oh well. More CDI's for the rest of us, lol.

I am also puzzled by people who start a thread and never come back.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

OP probably came to his senses and drives a Camry now.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

[QUOTE=gsxr;4163361]Seems the majority vote here was to go CDI. Maybe he had already made up his mind, but why not at least respond to the thread? Oh well. More CDI's for the rest of us, lol.

I came to my non-senses and bought both.

CDI is more refined/sporty/ and engine feels like a jet plane.

But-old school SDL- just brings a smile to my face looking at her.

I know u are a big fan of the M112/M113 Gassers....

If I were looking for one with 4matic- for winter beater- what would be a good year/model?

ANY concerns/issues with 4matic reliability?


thx

04-06 E320/E500 4matic or 04-05 C320 4matic (earlier cars are rust magnets) if you want something smaller. C240 4matic is a dog, like diesel slow. Biggest concerns are lack of maintainance from previous owner. The transfer case requires oil changes once in a while and eventually they all eat up the front axles. Generally speaking this era 4matic is reliable and easy to maintain. Pick your poison.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

I don' think so. He put a lot of energy into this thread right cheer:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/411383-1986-300-sdl-driveshaft.html

Sounds to me like he has some SDL fixer-upper action going on.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Those would be two Benzes I would like. The SDL at high speed on the highway is one sweet machine.

In one of my memorable Craigslist SDL rideshare adventures, I departed from Eugene, Oregon early in the AM. I had had no luck on finding anyone going I5 but first one lady and then another was wondering if I was into the 101 route so I could pick them up in Humboldt. Since I was getting an early start, and not from my normal embarking point of OlyWA, was doable. It adds about 3 hours to the trip. By the time I got there, another young lady signed on and a guy as well.

The three ladies were way sweet and not hard on the eyes. We picked the guy up last, he was looking pretty keen on the deal. The lady who had originally contacted me was some kind of hottie, maybe 30 and I swear she was giving me the eye.

I drove for a while and then the Kiwi lady (NZ) drove. Safe enough but her corrections were bit herky jerky. I was sitting next to Erin, the hottie, in the back seat, I asked her opinion, quietly, she agreed, not the best but not dangerous either, and she hardly went over 65.

Later Erin drove, way smooth and hitting 75 to 80. So I said "Erin, kicking ass and taking names." She liked that said the car just cruises. And indeed it did. The speed would keep going up with scarcely an indication of any labor on its part. Was clear she was digging my car.

Turns out bud picking and trimming season was winding down in Humboldt. They had made bank and were heading home. Smoked way too much herb on that trip but it was sweet.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

CMAC2012-- I thought I was 14 years old and reading Penthouse Forum again... Thought for sure there was going to be a "Happy ending"!

I guess there was a Happy ending!!!

Well uhhh ... it wasn't meant to be. The lady was married but you know, sometimes the urge to flirt is eternal. She lives near LA, he was in the Bay Area to meet her and take her the rest of the way.

One amazing part of the trip for me, this lady was semi buffed out but not in the large way. Her arms were toned and sexy. There were three of us in the back, she in the middle, while the Kiwi lady was driving. All of that sharp steering wheel correction made it so our arms and shoulders kept lightly bumping. Holy crap it was sexy. Don't want to get too far into the details but a few subsequent events made it clear that she was digging me also.

At the end of the trip, the guy wanted to go to his aunt's house in Mt. View, just a bit south of me, now in Redwood City. Palo Alto between the two cities for navigation. His aunt was apparently a free spirit and was keen on the idea of the kiwi lady spending the night. So Erin called her husband and he met us there. Was a cool dude, so glad he wasn't some geek, but given Erin's reality, I really doubt that would have been the case.

We had a great parting, shared a look and a long hug. Just as well. Her hubby looked solid and easily 20 to 30 years younger than me. Not good to get too far into the middle of a good relationship. The memory is actually of a really happy ending.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Why scrap it? They are selling for $$$$$$ now compared to what they used to. I would be surprised if you couldn't get at least $2k no matter how rough it is, maybe more.