Hello -

There is a 1992 300SD in the classified.
Not familiar with this model.
I'm guessing it's has the 6 cylinder turbo
that everybody's warning about staying away from ?

Thanks for your help,

Alan

The engine to beware of is the 350SD. The 300SD should be fine as far as I know. :D


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by VA300SD:
Hello -

There is a 1992 300SD in the classified.
Not familiar with this model.
I'm guessing it's has the 6 cylinder turbo
that everybody's warning about staying away from ?

Thanks for your help,

Alan<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The 1992 & 93 300SD does use the OM603.971 3.5l diesel motor. So it's the dreaded ROD bender.

Alan,

The 1992 300SD has the "problem" engine. Check out: http://www.mbz.org/complaints/350D/

Danger!
Danger!
Danger!
Saty away from that motor!
This is not a test!!
Danger!
Danger!
Danger!
:)

Enough said.
I am all to familiar with the engine horror stories but wasn't familiar with the 90s era W126 diesels.
But wouldn't anybody be at least a little tempted for a W126 bodied sedan, especially a diesel ?
What a waste and it's a darned shame.

If you are interested in that car try to find out if it has had a new short or long block assembly...if so you should have no problem. Or get a great warranty(you should do that with any 140 body..trust me!! ). The repairs on my 140 have been triple the cost of the 124 I had.

1992 300SD(with a new long block)

W140 body....
Where on the web can I see this body style ?
I'm stuck in the W116/W123/W126 era.

Some info/link to the 140.
http://people.ne.mediaone.net/fmulone/140/W140.html
http://www.primenet.com/~davida/140start.html

jack

Some info/link to the 140.
http://people.ne.mediaone.net/fmulone/140/W140.html
http://www.primenet.com/~davida/140start.html

jack

Thanks !!!

How about the 86 and 87 SD and SDL with the 6 cylinder Diesel engine? Are there any known problems with this engine. One was on Ebay with over 500,000 miles on original engine. I've been thinking of buying one but not with 500k miles!
P E H

P E H,

As I understand it, as long as it is the 300SDL and not the 350SDL you should be safe. The 350SDL has the dreaded 3.5 rod bender.

------------------
Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5

If the long block 3.5 liter engine replacement is OK, does anyone know what changes MB made to it? MB should have the same replacement program as the trap oxidizer: everything new, no charge!
P E H

Having a new long block put in my car last week I can tell you about my experience...I have heard that the connecting rods were of a beefier material and the head is a little different with regard to the lubrication channels that are there. Bracing of the engine is somewhat different also as the engine shock is of a different design than the original unit...but FYI I have heard the 1995 model(S350 Turbodiesel) had all of these modifications and have no problems

I would love to hear a confirmation on turnne1's comment on 1995 S350 models already having the modified engine during production.
When the day comes I have to give up the '81 300SD it would be nice to have a selection of newer generation diesels worthy of replacing a W126. Although the VW TDI models are awfully tempting, it's hard to get weaned from a long wheelbase Benz.

VA300sd, my friend has a '94 S350D which
did the engine kaput rod at 90K miles to the tune of $10K plus for a rebuild at a dealer.
Don't know about the 1995 year but say
Nein Danke to the '94 year.
yeah, its a looker alright!

------------------
1979 300D
133K miles
1989 300SE
1995 C280

Much thanks for the info on the '94, unkl300D.
Perhaps the year to consider is 1995 models and newer.

And TXBill - Howdy.
The safer option may be to grab a clean 1983-1984 300SD from an original owner.
I think there are some still out there with less then 200,000 miles on the clock.

In the meantime, steady cruising in the 81, which feels like will last forever if rust doesn't get to it first.

In regard to TxBill comment about power....the 1992 300SD is my third diesel benz the first being a 1985 300SD and then a 1992 300D 2.5...I can say the 1992 SD is much faster and smoother than the 1985 and a little slower than the 300D ,which was a rocket for a diesel. but also in regard to the other issues closing assist and evaporator...I have had both done in the last year(warranty)...Having owned 126 and 124 I can tell you the 140 shines above those two...but the repairs are very expensive....I mentioned to my tech at the dealer I wonder what will happen when the cars are worth 8-10K and the repairs are about as much as the car is worth?....

Are all the cars "push rod benders". I am looking at a 300SD 93 that has 110,000 miles on the clock. The car is mint and at a good price. Are they really all Push rod benders.?

300SD(140)
 

The wierd thing about this engine is somepeople never had problems...I have cars with excess of 200K that never had problems....but a word of advice MB will not provide any assistance to you if you car has over about 75K or so
As for the other problems of the 140...evaporator core and closing assist pump...those are common problems and that evaporator is an expensive job ..about $3000. But for a car that stickered at 70-80K I guess you can expect some expense.
Having owned a 126(1985 300SD) and a 124(1992 300D 2.5) I can assure that the 140 is head and shoulders above those in drivability,smoothness,comfort and overall luxury.
It is a shame that the early 140's had so many teething problems..but I hear the 1995's are much beeter in that regard.
Also buying one of these without a warranty can be a crapshoot...so if you can't get a warranty factor that into your offer and have the car throughly checked out by a good MB dealer