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Old 12-30-2002, 03:52 PM
sixto's Avatar
smoke gets in your eyes
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Eastern TN
Posts: 20,841
fahrgewehr's comparison request

Quote:
fahrgewehr wrote on 12-20-2002 02:10 PM:
HI,
I am considering a "side-grade" to an SDL. I have a '90 300se right now, and I have yet to drive a OM603 powered car. I am interested in the mpg and the extended wheel base...as in those are the reasons I am considering switching models. If you wouldn't mind, could you compare the two models for me.. it would be much appreciated. You can make it a regualr post if you would like, so it could serve the entire forum. Thanks, Mike
fahrgewehr,

Remember that my comments are about one 91 300SE and one 87 300SDL. They may not hold for the population.

In my crawling commute I get 17mpg out of the SE and 22mpg out of the SDL. AC is on most of the time.

The SE has more punch off the line but the SDL will take the SE above 30-40mph. When I was bringing the SDL home, my wife couldn't keep up in the SE and she's the speed demon in the family.

The SDL starts in first gear but it's not awkward like starting the SE in first.

Rear seat legroom is okay in the SE. Not better than what you get in an LS400 in my opinion. I'm just under 5'7" and I'd hardly call the rear seat room behind me luxurious. It's hard to believe the SDL is only 4" longer. I'm looking for a set of foot rests like I saw in a 420SEL once. There's that much more room. Plus the rear seat in the SDL reclines.

I'm not sure about the sound system in your 90. My SE has speakers in the doors while the SDL doesn't. Makes a big difference in sound quality. I'm no audiophile but even listening to AM news reports is better in the SE.

The SE interior looks classier with pleated door panels and smooth seat faces. The perforated door panels and woven seat faces in the SDL are traditional MB and look a little dated.

Servicing the SDL is easier because it requires less service and the air filter isn't in the way of the oil filter. Plus you don't drip old oil on the side of the engine with the SDL's cartridge filter.

The SDL is louder even with the belly panels. Not annoying to me but definitely louder. It might have to do with age and use. At 150K miles, the SE is a lot more air tight than the SDL at 260K. Going over the same loose manhole covers, I hear less of a clunk in the SE. But the SE's not quite as water tight. I get a small puddle in the trunk of the SE when it rains

After all this, have you considered a 300SEL?

Regards,
Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

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  #2  
Old 12-31-2002, 11:22 AM
fahrgewehr
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Thanks Sixto.

Nice comparison. I wasn't sure if the SDL started in first, so that's good to hear. I think the transmission in the SE is its worst feature...if only we had the 5 spd option like they did in europe.
I never would have thought that the SDL would pull away from the SE above those speeds...I guess that is the torque at work.
I really need to fond a few examples to drive. They are rare though, so its hard to find one nearby usually.
Thanks again for the comparison. If you dont mind me asking, which one would you keep if you had to lose one?

Mike
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  #3  
Old 12-31-2002, 06:32 PM
sixto's Avatar
smoke gets in your eyes
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Eastern TN
Posts: 20,841
I've never had the SE and SDL side by side except for the night we brought home the SDL. It might be all in my head that I expect the SE to be faster than it is and I expect the SDL to be slower than it is.

The SE has more potential on the right side of the speedo, if you know what I mean.

It's hard to say which one I'd keep. Probably the SE because it has a color combo I really like (white/gray SE vs gold/palomino SDL vs cream/brown SD), it's cleaner, has better speakers, and I just had the tranny rebuilt. But the SDL is my daily driver.

In a real pinch I'd dump both and keep the SD

autotrader.com shows 4 SDLs within 45 miles of and 4 more within 150 miles of 21201.

yahoo shows one in Marlow Heights.

cars.com shows 3 within 10 miles and 1 within 40 miles of 21201.

They're out there for the testing.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

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