Local '90 300SDL, cheap, but I think it bit the dust?
 

Found this for sale (locally) for $800... I wonder though if the engine is destroyed. I think this one is the "rod bender" engine isnt it? I wonder if that is what has happened? Says that it is leaking oil, lost power. Hmm.

"1990 Mercedes Benz for sale. Many new parts. Body in great shape, no rust. Almost new tires. Gray leather interior, power everything, Sunroof. Second owner. It is a 350SDL turbo diesel. The car has 199573 miles on it. This was my daily driver until around two weeks ago. It will start, but would need to most likely be towed. Leaking oil, lost power, could be something simple, not really sure. Purchased a new car, need to get rid of this one ASAP! $800.00"

http://images.craigslist.org/5Gd5E95...8a28ac145c.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/5Gd5K65...6e46411578.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/5Ne5Ge5...14a9511bbd.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/5I75G45...7e002112d3.jpg

Hmmm Starts up. Probably worth a look if it didn't sound like a garbage disposal. Maybe just the turbo gave out.

Yes, the 350SDL engines have problems with bent connecting rods which cause the pistons to wear the cylinders oval-shaped. A friend of mine had a 1991 350SDL and his mechanic ordered a new block from Germany. $7,500 later he had a fine MB automobile again. Of course, my friend owned his car for years and maintained it by-the-book. Recommend staying away from that car unless you're a skilled DIY'er and have access to a donor engine.

there were a few good engines.Generally if car made it passed 180,000,its a good one.Turbo line to vacumm might be cracked.
Most engine blew before a 100,000 milesBut be careful,have compression test done.

Search in the Diesel Discussion for the issues with the 3.5L.

I wonder if the trail of oil and fresh patch of oil under the car has anything to do with the price?

LOL I missed that. Nicely done. :) As it sits now, it is a $350-500 car tops. depends on the condition of that paint and interior.

Any data whatsoever to support this hypothesis? If so, I'd like to see it. From this forum only, they seem to fail at random mileage levels, very few under 100K.

OOOOOMMMM, OOOOOMMMMM. Repeat after me, " There is no more expensive car than a "cheap" Mercedes-Benz, there is no more expensive car than a "cheap" Mercedes-Benz"....

Gone
 

He sold it this morning.

Yeah, I too noticed the oil trail underneath. lol. Well I am sure it was at least rust free if it was a local car, we really have no rust issues on cars here in Tennessee.

This '95 Mercedes wagon popped up locally as well... $1200. Not sure what is wrong with it though...


1995 Mercedes station wagon 4 W D
http://images.craigslist.org/5Nf5K95...58bcb81340.jpg

I used to always hear that, but I have owned four Mercedes over the years and all were cheap cars and were some of the best cars I have ever owned. I paid $1000 for a '85 380SE that was a good car, $1800 for a '84 190D that was an awesome little car (that I ended up selling for $3300) and I paid $2000 4 years ago for an '88 300SEL that we still have that has been an awesome car. Guess we have been lucky.

Yeah, I think there was a rod sticking out the side of the block. :eek:

Well, for one thing it doesn't look like a '95. It does not have the updated headlights the US model 124 received for the '94 model year. I can't tell the year, but it's something from '90 through '93.

just a guess
 

Repaired after Front end accident with 92-93 parts?
Rims and side moldings are 95

I don't think so. In the U.S. market the 15 hole rims were standard through the 1993 model year, then the 124 went to the 8 hole rims. Contrasting lower bodyside cladding started in 1990. I think the bumpers may have become completely body colored (i.e. lacking the black rub strip) as of 1994 model year.

Other markets differ, but I think this car is in the U.S.