I currently own a '93 300D2.5 with 210,000km. I am looking for informations on a W126 300SD ('81 to '85) or a W126 300SDL ('86 to '87), maybe as a second car.

My question is about the 300SD: What major improvements were done through the years on this car between '81 and '85? Is '85 the best buy?

Thanks,

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W126 1985 300SD TurboDiesel
W164 2009 ML320 BlueTEC (Sold)
W123 1983 240D Stick (Sold)
W210 1998 E300D TurboDiesel (sold)
W124 1993 300D 2.5 Turbo (sold)
2012 GMC 2500 Duramax PickUp
2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel PickUp

85 has power headrests. It might also have an airbag and ABS. None of these were available on the 81. Additionally, the vacuum system was improved for better shifting I think.

The 85 will have the trap oxidizer if a CA version. Apparently, one should steer clear of those. I had an 81, my overall favorite car out of about 10 so far (8 Mercedes).

JAS

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94 E320
71 350SL

My car has the auto headrests and ABS. It does not have the airbag though. Don' t let jas2wa give the CA cars a bad rap. If you find a nice one run the VIN to see if the recall was performed. I found mine with meticulous service records. Bought in San Juan Capistrano and MB serviced up the 110,000 miles. I currently have 297,000 miles and never had any major problems whatsoever.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Just a sneek peek.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Does the '85 SD still have the 5-cyl engine? I know the SDL's had the 6. I have seen one other '85 with the 5 cyl, and was surprised. I thought they went to the 6 in '85.
The 5 vs 6 debate is about the same as the oil debate. Personally I'd stick with the 5 for longevity. But I know there are some here with the 6 in SDL's and have high mileage on them.
I THINK '85 was the first year ABS and air bags were standard instead of an option. My '84 has neither.

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past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

Didn't mean to knock the trap oxidizer...

The 85 is a 5-cyl- 86 on was the 6

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94 E320
71 350SL

85 has central locking actuation from the passenger door and trunk. More likely to have rear headrests in an 85 than 81.

Much simpler engine vacuum control system in an 81-83 than 84-85. No electronics in the IP in the 81-83 versions. Not sure about 84. Definitely present in CA 85.

Built-in anti-theft came along in 84 or 85. You'll be lucky if the door actuators work properly 20 years later.

When did memory seats come along?

Unless you're a canyon carver or park in downtown Paris, I'll bet $1 that an SDL will be your daily driver and the 2.5 will be the second car.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

I still have the 5cyl. I do not have airbag though so I don't think it was standard. My alarm was giving me a hassle so I **** canned it. My locking system works wonderfully. Everything worked great on this car. Just doing the little things now. The seat bottoms were detaching themselves so I took the seats out and fixed them.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

My 81 SD had rear headrests and leather- I think the former came with the leather option? Then it was standard by 85/86?

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94 E320
71 350SL

Seems like I remember hearing something about an improved torque converter on '85.

Also, the '85 has a valve cover mounted switch that shuts off the A/C at WOT. I've been told this was also started in '85.

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Chris
1985 300SD - 'Grace' (198K mi.)
2018 Honda Civic Sport
2018 Honda CRV LX
2010 Honda Fit Sport (RIP)
2013 Honda Accord Sport (Sold)
1996 Lexus LS400 (Retired)
1995 Ford Contour SE (Retired)
1976 Porsche 914 (Sold)
1972 Datsun 240Z (RIP)

vwbuge, nice side markers, are they smoked or clear? Who makes them and where did you get them? I upgraded to euro's and wondering if I should change the side markers.

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85 300CD Signal Red/Tan sold
83 300D Manganese Brown 109K
97 E420 Midnight Blue 197K sold
98 BMW 328i Vert White 100K, sold
95 BMW 525i White 125K, sold
93 BMW 525iT Red 193K, sold
95 E320 Green Wagon 125K, sold
94 E320 White 127K, sold
85 300SD 156K Grey (Annie), sold
84 300D Lapis Blue 170K (Judy), sold
99 ML 320 Black (lease), 1998 C230 White (lease)
00 Honda S2000 Red (lease)
86 Mercedes 300E (sold)
84 Porsche 911 Red (sold), 1965 Porsche 911 White (sold)

My corners are clear. I bought them off of Ebay for like $30. I had to swap the bulb mount with my originals and buy amber bulbs. Best $30 spent so far. They really go well with the Euro's.

ck42,
When you refer to the A/C......what is WOT??????

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

WOT must be Wide Open Throttle...

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W126 1985 300SD TurboDiesel
W164 2009 ML320 BlueTEC (Sold)
W123 1983 240D Stick (Sold)
W210 1998 E300D TurboDiesel (sold)
W124 1993 300D 2.5 Turbo (sold)
2012 GMC 2500 Duramax PickUp
2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel PickUp

wot....correct

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Chris
1985 300SD - 'Grace' (198K mi.)
2018 Honda Civic Sport
2018 Honda CRV LX
2010 Honda Fit Sport (RIP)
2013 Honda Accord Sport (Sold)
1996 Lexus LS400 (Retired)
1995 Ford Contour SE (Retired)
1976 Porsche 914 (Sold)
1972 Datsun 240Z (RIP)