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#1
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Is 90 or 91 350 SDL a wise buy?
Hello,
My name's Mark and I'm new to this forum. I'm planning to buy a MB diesel and like the size and style of the early 90 or 91 350 SDL. In perusing some of the threads on this forum though it seems that these may be models to stay away from due to the 3.5L engine. How bad is this problem and should it be a deal killer on these cars? It seems some of the engines may have been replaced -- is there anyway to tell this? I'm planning (hoping) to put a lot of highway miles on this car and am also planning to run it partially on vegetable oil using a greasecar kit. It seems the earlier pre 87 300 series diesels are heavily favoured by most in the forum but I would like something a bit newer and preferably with airbags. Any advice or feadback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks |
#2
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Airbags - the 86-87 SDLs have a driver side airbag. Who knows if it will fire after 17 years? The 90-91 SD/Ls have a driver side airbag, passenger side airbag was optional. That's long in the tooth as well for an airbag.
You can check the engine serial number against MBUSA records to determine if the engine was replaced and replaced with an upgrade engine, not something out of a wrecked car. I believe some engines were rebuilt so records would be the only way to know for sure. There's speculation that a combination of EGR gases and blow-by are the main cause of rod failure. It seems logical to me that if you fit a currently good engine with a catch can between the valve cover vent and turbo inlet, and disable EGR you should have an engine that will last a good long time. Disabling EGR in the 90-91 SD/L is not simply a matter of plugging a vacuum line, but it has been done. Sixto 95 S420 87 300SDL |
#3
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Thanks sixto that is helpful. Could you tell me how to get access to the MBUSA records?
If you've got the time and interest -- I'm researching one car on ebay right now -- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2485259056&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT The seller claims 179k miles which seems to check out with carfax. The details of the car: VIN WDBCB34D6MA575529 Make Mercedes-Benz Model 350 Year 1991 Body 4 Door Sedan Engine L6, 3.5L; SOHC; Turbo Vehicle Type Passenger Car Trim 350SD Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.(MBNA) Assembly Plant Sindelfingen Country GERMANY I'll ask the seller what the engine serial number is and would like to check it with MBUSA if you can give me a hint on how to do that. This car sounded interesting to me based on the new AC, partially rebuilt front end, new timing chain etc. Assuming all that is correct, my main worries would be the motor and the transmission. Again thanks for any input. |
#4
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Right off the bat it doesn't have a passenger side airbag so it doesn't offer more safety than a 300SDL.
Take the VIN to an MB dealership and have them run a vehicle master inquiry (VMI). It won't tell you more than the datacard tells you except for completed and outstanding recall type items. If you're on good terms with the dealership, you can press for more details. I'm always told they can't give me further information. Others in the forum say the dealers are more than happy to reveal the car's documented history. Go figure. Here's the datacard info: Engine no - 603970 12 001998 Trans no - 722361 03 453132 Body color code 702 - smoke silver Body trim code 65 - mushroom Interior trim code 265 - leather mushroom Option codes: 227 - rear ashtray with cigar lighter and illumination 241 - left front seat electrically adjustable with memory 242 - right front seat electrically adjustable with memory 340 - thrid brake light 412 - electric tilting and sliding sunroof 446 - cruise control 461 - instruments with mileage reading and English lettering 491 - US version 524 - paint preservation 531 - automatic antenna 543 - sunvisor with vanity mirror illuminated 551 - anti-theft warning system 581 - automatic climate control 592 - heat insulating glass with windshield band 600 - headlamp wiper 611 - courtesy lamps for front and read doors 639 - elimination of first aid kit and trunk warning triangle 757 - Becker Grand Prix US version 801 - change of model year 810 - Bose sound package (that crappy sound system is Bose?) 877 - left and right rear reading lamps Sixto 95 S420 87 300SDL |
#5
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Too bad they eliminated the warning triangle.
__________________
Michael LaFleur '05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles '86 300SDL - 360,000 miles '85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold) '89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold) '85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold) '98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold) '75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold) '83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-( '61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes 2004 Papillon (Oliver) 2005 Tzitzu (Griffon) 2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba) |
#6
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Michael, I take that as a strong recommendation to stay away for this model. Too bad. I really want to get a diesel with a few less years on it than an 87 but it seems like the '87 or earliers is the best option.
Thanks for the input. |
#7
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I didn't mean it that way. Growing up on a farm, I have a thing for warning triangles.
Just be careful of the engine and do your due diligence.
__________________
Michael LaFleur '05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles '86 300SDL - 360,000 miles '85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold) '89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold) '85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold) '98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold) '75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold) '83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-( '61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes 2004 Papillon (Oliver) 2005 Tzitzu (Griffon) 2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba) |
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