88 300SDL vs. 83 300SD
 

My mother is trying to get into the 88 300SDL and I'm trying to steer her towards an 83 300SD for economical and reasons of reputation.
I have gleaned on this site that the SDL has a troubled block: the 603. However, it was said that only 86 and 87 SDL's have the 603?
The SDL she is looking at is twice as much but has half the miles. Even then, the SD has only 165K.
How do these two compare? I think I know that the SDL has the aluminum head and produces more power and is probably more modern and sophisticated, but I direct my mother towards the SD for the simplicity in its design. Last thing she needs are big repair bills. The insanity of it all is that she had an 84 SD until she got some bug to get the New Bug. Last phone conversation I had with her, I convinced her not to sell her car but two days later, she shows up with the BUG. Well after a few years of the reality of car payments, she finally was able to sell it, eat it on the price, and stumble into a nice 85 W123. But she never did like that body style much.
Long story short. She could sell her 123 and probably not expend any more money to get into the SD while she has to take out a loan AND pay for the criminally expensive surgery for her dog at the same time.
Thanks for listening to the rant.
Economic Obviousness aside, how do those two machines compare?
THANKS!

Okay, thanks Bill.
I should have been more specific, meaning that the heads could be troublesome?
Even though I know Iron heads develop cracks too but somehow I got the idea the aluminum heads were more eager to crack.
I guess with that high compression, I don't blame it that much.

I don't know how an 83 300SD drives. I guess if you really love the OM617 then you don't have a choice.

I drove turbodiesel's amazing 300SDL (Thanks!!). I loved it. I definitely like the OM603 better to be honest. The OM617 has its own character but if I were a sane person :D then I'd hate to trade a 603 for a 617 ;)

The 617 iron engine gets my vote. Sure the SDLs are wonderful cars, very comfortable and very fast but if she's looking to keep the car for a long time, then the SD is the sure fire pick here. The ONLY way I would have an SDL is if I found one with ridiculously low mileage on it which has had all the necessary maintenance and recall work done to it (the trap oxidizer). Some maintenance tasks which are child's play on the 617 engine can become more of a nightmare with the 603 engine, so expect bigger bills.

Also, I personally never liked the rather viscious boost delivery which came along with the 603 engine. On slippery roads it can be dangerous. With the 617, boost is very constant and controllable. One personal experience with the 603 was when I was driving my neighbour's '87 300TD wagon down to my workshop for some service and when I gave it some gas on a slick highway, the tail broke loose and sent me into a spin (which I was thankfully able to control, thank you Skip Barber!). Never had such a problem with the older engines.

Been driving my 603 car before, during and after the this latest blizzard here. Not only have I never gotten stuck with it, but never been in a loss of control situation in any way with it. The 126 is a very forgiving car and actually takes alot of effort to create even a remotely out of control situation, like severe oversteer and mashing the gas on an ice-slicked onramp. Even then the car just does not want to lose control.

John,
I have to agree with you. Given the recent snows here in New Jersey, I am impressed with the handling of my SDL compared to my SD. The control is so much better with the snow and ice.
Joshhol,
If your mother is looking for comfort and control, the SDL is the way to go.
Tom
82 SD
86SDL

Here's another "unbiased" vote for the SDL.

Herb
'82 240D
'87 300SDL
'92 300D 2.5 Turbo

Between the two, I'll go with the SD. That way Mom won't have to parallel park the SDL which is almost a foot longer.:D

The '83 has the GREAT benefit of being largely computer-free,
 

while the '87s will have seen the insideous inroads of electronics (now wearing out) plus IMHO, lower build quality.

I would go for the earlier car in a heartbeat.

The 300SDL was not offered in the US in 1988. I expect anywhere in the world an 88 300SDL would have the same OM603 engine as the 86-87 300SDL. Possibly with the more complex boost control of the later OM602.

The SDL is more like 4-5" longer than an SD. No point in having all that room if you don't use the back seat. The SDL is noticeably smoother and more stable IMHO but the SD isn't harsh by any measure. I can make a u-turn in the SDL anywhere I've done so in the SD.

What I value in the SDL are the AC recirc button, memory front seats, sunroof tilt and a sunroof switch where I expect it to be. ABS doesn't hurt and the 16-year old airbag might still fire.

My simple analysis of posts in this forum is that the SDL gets better fuel mileage than the SD. Mine get the same fuel mileage. The SDL takes less oil at each change. Could mean up to $10 per change if you use Mobil 1.

The SDL has a few more electronic gizmos. Disable ADS and don't worry about it. Even if ELR fails completely you're not dead in the water. Idle just isn't as smooth as when it's working. The electronics behind the ACC are a little more complex but it's not like the typical wrench can fix the electronics of the SD ACC.

You are specific about the years so I assume you're talking about particular units. In this case, get the one in better shape and/or the one that's had better care.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

I am a 617 nut.

I would take the 603 SDL in a blink.

There, I said it.

Well, it seems my moms heart is set on the SDL. I think I'll still try to direct her to the SD. I'm sure the SDL is a wonderful car, I just think the SD is more practical and no slouch at that.

So do you guys think the OM603 will last the long haul? Another 20 years or so.
I'm worried about that aluminum head and intricate electronics. Moms not rich.
The car she is looking at has 80,000 miles and has been meticulously maintained. So they say.

Thanks again!
Josh

I'm assuming you are looking at an '86 or '87 300SDL. If you happen to be looking at a 350 run (don't walk) away from that machine! Review all available records making sure it got regular oil changes (if they're not available check the compression), make sure the trap oxidizer has been removed, use Delvac 1 oil only and change it regularly and don't worry about the aluminum head. The SDL you're looking at isn't even broken in yet! :cool:

Also, check the trunk/rear window area and lower body cladding area for rust. If your mom is truly going to keep it for 20 years, you'll want to start with a clean slate there as body work can be expensive.

Good luck and happy motoring!:)

Yes, definately take the SDL. Confirm the year, as it should be 86 or 87. Better fuel economy, better ride, more passenger comfort, pretty darn smooth engine.

-m

Well Gentlemen, the results are in and the winner is the SDL. Turns out is was an 86, so no trap oxidizer. It really was amazing. I couldn't find anything wrong with it!
White with blue leather interior, I can't believe how much rear leg room it has. More even than my 280SEL.
I wish I had a dig cam to post some pictures, it really is stunning.
I checked the rad hose pressure after cold start up and it was like: yeah right buddy, aint nothing wrong here. I didn't even recommend she get a compression check. The dealer just got through with the 75,000 mile service and even replaced the front tranny seal on the thing.
On the freeway, I just wanted to keep going, 85 mph was like a breeze.
I'm still partial to my 76 300D, more bite off the line, better visibility and a simplicity I can understand. Of course that SDL is wonderfully quiet inside and the turbo starts to romp around 2500rpms.
I don't know who lent her the money for the down payment but its going to look really weird when she has a fund raiser at work for her dogs 3700 dollar surgery and then she shows up with a new Mercedes a week later.
On a related subject, anyone want an 85 300D?
Thanks everyone.
Hopefully, when she gets up enough nerve to tell my uncle about the car, I can borrow his dig cam and post some pics!

Excellent MBshop.

OH YEAH! I almost forgot, I was poking around at the dealer looking at the new tradition and was not too disappointed. They even let me test a new 03 C230 Sport. It was not bad, but I was not enamored with it. I paticularly didn't like the "sound" the engine emitted when under throttle. I was stupid though, I should've went for the test shot with the S-class or at least the new E.