300 SDL or 2005 E320 CDI?
 

I have a choice between an 86 300 SDL with 150,000 miles on it, great interior except cracks near speaker grills, new rotors and master cylinder put in although it's yet to be determined if the generic mechanic used OEM parts. The exterior is nearly flawless. I have a trusted mobile mechanic who will go to the different city where the car is, and although he won't be able to do a compression test, he'll be able to take the wheels off, and do a test drive.

The other car, the 2005 E320 CDI has 186,000 miles on it, possibly no records, but the seller seems a decent person. He picked the car and two other Mercedes up in Las Vegas.

I'd be interested in what anybody thinks, and I'm wondering if anybody agrees with a consumer review that the passenger seat in the 320 CDI is uncomfortable.

My last 300 SDL was totaled when my girlfriend was hit by a crazy hit-and-run driver, and the strength of the car prevented her from having a headache after the event. I need to buy something soon.

Thanks

By the way, has anybody used Sugru for dashboard cracks? It's a novel substance, and I watched a Lexus owner successfully patch his cracked dashboard. It's strong, and has real tolerance for temperature changes.

Both will require repairs/maintenance so just buy whichever one you like driving/fixing/looking at

There is a 19 year difference between them, if resale is a concern in the next couple of years the CDI will likely be a better return on resale. The W126 on the otherhand is somewhat of a classic, values have bottomed so from here on out well kept models should increase over the long haul.

I'm partial to the better build quality of the earlier cars, and a big fan of the OM603, but that's me. As Chris mention, buy what gives you the most satisfaction for the $$

I'd take the CDI. W211 is more comfortable, safer and much better handling. It'll also get better fuel economy.

^^^^ This


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+1

One is a full size, one is a mid size and 19 years apart. So it is easy decision if you need a big car. 19 years is a loooog time in automotive innovation. If you wrench yourself then SDL is a better car to self maintain. If you farm it out then I would take the CDI. Both cars will cost you dear in any event.

All true... but the w126 has way more class/style.

I Bought CDI - 12 months ago... 12k miles so far

and SDL- 3 months ago-- 3k miles so far

Love both

Agree w/ Ah-kay-- SDL way bigger/space/people/cargo hauler
CDI-- torque and speed// sportier// Motor seems like it will pull for 500k

Hope u get lucky like I did--bought Rust free/Cali car-- unseen--
Inspecting mechanic-- said blown head gasket- negotiated price down $3k
NO head issues!!! Hasn't burned a drop of oil- in 3k miles
tracks straight as arrow... AC blows cold--- correct vents... I do have a random bounce on tach... SDL just brings me a smile

I get the appeal of the SDL...I've owned two of them over the years. This thread makes me want to get another one! My suspicion is that it might be very expensive to maintain if you don't do your own wrenching.

I have two CDIs and they've both been great. I don't see a downside to owning one, especially now that the SBC warranty is extended to 25 years.

If you can work on it yourself I would get the SDL, especially if you won't regularly be driving on really long trips. I have thought about getting a CDI, but realized that one I had it I would hate dealing with the electrical issues and added complexity. Do not get an SDL if you have to pay someone to repair it for you though, they are not a good enough car to be worth that.

If you can handle an OBD2 scan tool you can handle working on a w211. I find working on my w211 gasser a lot easier than my w124 diesel.

cdi can be chipped to run like a scalded dog. but if apocaylse, you can burn zombie fat in the SDL

I have owned two W126s, a W210 diesel and a W220, and an OBD2 scanner will do almost nothing on the newer cars. It's definitely doable if you want to take the time to learn, but you need the actual Mercedes diagnostic software ($600-$800? I haven't looked in a while) and to know how to use it to be able to deal with the issues the newer cars have. I find the 300SDL far less frustrating to keep running and usable.

I’ll take the Cdi solely for 400lbs of torque and the 45mpg

Not a chance anyone is getting 45 mpg with a CDI.

EPA mpg for 2005 E320 CDI: 27 city, 37 highway

Ok 42 mpg.

My point is if you know how to use an OBD2 scan tool you can use a icarsoft MB2 or Foxwell nt520. You don't need a $600 software. Just the right scan tool.
https://youtu.be/NfO6sWOmD-k

Best I’m ever able to get that either of my cars… And this is under perfect conditions...is about 38 miles per gallon. Can’t trust the computer… It notoriously skews high. But It can be recalibrated with SDS.

My 05 CDI delivers 49 - 51 mpg consistently driving on the highyway but thats's imperial so closer to 42 mpg US gallons always measured at the pump.

For that size car, that is not a battery pack, that is great MPG.

I want a CDI!

SDL is classic but not as comfortable as the CDI. CDI exterior styling is trash, in my opinion. Very rounded and bulbous. Looks like a whale.

You're entitled to your opinion no matter how wrong it is.

LOL, Indeed.

It would be the CDI for me.

My 2006 E320 CDI computer has read up to 41 mpg, but that's about 10% high.

Wish I'd of bought 2 10 years ago. Hardly ever get an alert for em under 45K miles.

There is all of that. OTOH, if you do much traveling with 3 or 4 passengers, it's hard to beat the back seat comfort of the SDL and that while getting 25 mpg.

I did Craigslist rideshare trips in mine, often way fun and adventurous, and when I wasn't driving I'd sit in the rear on the right. Affords a good view of the instrument panel. Dang it was a trip riding in that rear seat. It's a big cabin.

I liked it too, yet my friends complained of "sea sickness" :D

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.

@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.

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.

:zorro:

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

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

[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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I had a guy offer $9k for my beater 87 300d 5spd. Not selling.. yet.

That's not a bad thought. Not hard to advertise. I think Craigslist wants $5 for an auto ad now. But that's way minimal an investment to make.

I haven't taken anything big off. I noticed a slow fluid loss on the 300D, took the cap off and whoops, the cap was falling apart. The SDL cap fixed it. Was thinking to take the IP off but that is one gnarly ass job. I took one off a totaled 350SD at Pick n Pull last August. Sold it to my Benz mechanic buddy. He has two 350SD specimens and wanted a spare pump. One of his cars is seriously nice. He wants $9k for it. I've seen the IP pumps advertised for around $1k.

I don't think anyone would pay $1k for a used injection pump. I have 3 of them on my shelf and I would be happy to get $200 each. I would definitely try to sell the car if it's still registered and moves under it's own power, they aren't getting any more common.

More I think of it, I'm sure you're right. Anyone can advertise a price of $1000, doesn't mean they are going to get it.

Unfortunately the car doesn't move under it's own power. I advertised it - no price, just make an offer. The one respondent was a young guy who had just read of mounting said IP on a 606 a couple of weeks ago and was hot to put that in a 90s BMW so he could have a no smog car. Apparently it is possible if you get the right DMV guy. But this kid is a dreamer.

It breaks my heart a little, this car has life left in it but I need the space and time to do the job and looks like I won't have it.

If you have anything above a #14 head, the head + injection pump might be worth more than the car as a whole. Injectors, turbo, injector lines, etc are all sought after. There's another SDL in Gilroy I think asking $600 running supposedly. Tempted to pick it up just for the parts.