I'm looking at an '85 300SD. While searching this forum I read that one should avoid the '85 SD because of turbo problems. Has anyone found that the '85 is prone to certain problems. I'd like to hear from some long time '85 300SD owners.

Thanks,

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Bruce

73 220D (never left Germany)
81 300D (totaled)
84 300D (Purchased '03, sold '17)
85 300SD (purchased 10/01/03)

Never heard of such a thing Bruce. Where did you get this info?

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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)

Never heard anything bad about an 85SD either.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

California MB Diesels in 85-87 came with a trap oxidizer upstream of the turbo. When the trap let go, it usually took the turbo with it. If MB serviced the car per the recall, the turbo would have been replaced if damaged.

When you find a candidate, run the VIN by an MB dealer. If it's cleared all valid recalls then it's not more likely to have a bad turbo than any other SD.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

I am about tired of hearing it myself! As you can see I have an '85 California car. 299,000 with original motor and turbo. She runs like a top. Don't believe the BS. It is all in the individual car and the individual car owner.

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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

Yeah, that trap oxidizer issue is the only thing I've ever heard about causing prob's.

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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)

I have a 1985 California model 123 and have not had any turbo problems, although I did have the proper warranty work performed to have the catylist changed out. They said the turbo was fine at the time of replacement of the catylist
Soon I will be cutting open and taking out the guts of this nefarious object they replace it with ,and then will weld it back together so as to give the appearance of the emissions being in place. I hope by eliminating this restriction I will improve my mileage similar to the cars of the pre-catylist era.
I get 23 on the highway now, which is the advertised spec for this cali model Mercedes and think I can do better for the cost of a couple of welding rods and some gaskets.

I've got about 126K on my 85 300SD. Never had a problem with it.

Paul

1985 300SD
2001 Saab 9-5 Wagon
1987 VW Cabriolet
1996 Grand Caravan

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http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...aman/Fleet.jpg

Peach Parts W124.128 User Group.

80 280SL
85 300SD
87 300TD
92 300D 2.5 Turbo
92 300TE 4Matic

The cautionary note about 1985s is they have a single year specific turbo and transmission. Not that they have any more problems than other years, but if you do have a problem then sourcing replacements may be more difficult and expensive.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

The best car I've ever owned. Still smooth and never a turbo problem at 181,000 miles on my 85 300SD.

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Orland Park, IL
1985 300SD 215,000 miles

Soooo, if I found an 85 SD in Florida with 225k for $2k, and the maintenance was passable (if not perfect), would that be considered a good deal?

If the body was solid and interior in decent shape, I'd grab it.

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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)

I have an engine and tranny for sale if you ever need it.