Despite how much I like my Lexus, I think I have finally decided to sell my 1990 Lexus LS400 and perhaps purchase a Mercedes. I really want a diesel model, but also considering gasoline engine models, but only the 92-up S-Class. My favorite Mercedes are the 1981-1985 300SD's- particularly the 1984-1985 with the ABS/airbag options. The only other model I have considered is the 1992-1994 S-Class, but I have heard they are very complicated and not very reliable- so I may steer clear of those.
My Lexus is still a very reliable, well built car, but parts are very expensive and it is starting to need some items. Front struts/bushings (about $500), A/C evaporator ($800 according to Lexus), so I have decided to sell, rather than pouring money into a older car. I know that the 80s Mercedes diesels are fairly simple, so that is one reason I want one.
I paid $4000 for it about a year ago, and have put about $200 into it (new rear struts). The window sticker on this car was around $39,995 (with sunroof, leather, remote entry, electronic-automatic tilt steering column options) in 1990, but beginning in 1991- prices sky-rocketed on these cars. It lacks the CD player, seat memory, heated seats, traction control and air-ride suspension options. I am thinking of pricing it at $3800- which should buy me a nice 81-85 300SD. I have about that much already in my savings, but I do not want to get into that to buy another car. I have also been considering a 1995-up Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban/Silverado, or 96-up Toyota 4-Runner, or 91-up Toyota Land Cruiser.

Would the 81-85 300SD be my best bet as far as the purchase of a Mercedes? Thanks in advance.

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2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

Yes

Parts for the W126 are cheaper than for the W140, and they are easier work on. I like the W140 more, but those cars have expensive tastes.

get the best one you can afford, there are plenty around if you look at the West Coast, they are often in very good condition. Also, nearby FL has a good selection. Keep brwosing the forum for all the info you need. Good luck hunting

Thanks for the replies. I think I will just try to find a nice, low mile 300SD. I may even keep my Lexus as a work car. As mentioned- I really like it, particularly because of the smoothness of the power train. Even at 231K, the engine and transmission still operate as smooth as silk. I guess I will have to wait and see how the cards fall. Thanks again.

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2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

I say keep the Lex and find a diesel Benz to compliment it. The Lexus reliability is almost up with the reliability of Benzes (the Japanese and Germans may have hated us in the past, but they can build some good cars.) My mom has a 95 LS400, other than the over $1K repair just done to the suspension system after it failed on us somehow (car collapsing on left front tire, couldn't even fit a finger between the tire and top of wheel well), it's a great car.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

I can feel for al of you. My suggestion is, honestly, keep the aging Lexus and get the 'other' MB Diesel on the side. It is obvious, that MB has lost out to Lexux beginning in the late 80's due to quality issues, I firmly believe that LEXUS is now producing a car with much better quality and reliability than MB at the same time. I hate to make this statement, but I know that quality standards at MBZ have gone way down after the intro of post-126 models.
Even as a die-hard german myself, here is my judgement: I will collect as many W115, W123, W116 and W126 as I can (as much Diesel as possible0, because those represented the proper balance of extremely high quality and durability. The turing point was after W126
If I were you, get the Diesel you want but keep the Lexus, share the opinions in the forum openly and then part after one year -if you need to- with either the Lexus or the MBZ

Thanks. I bet your mothers LS400 has the optional air-suspension. Sometimes the airbags fail and the car will sag down. They are very costly to replace, like you said. Luckily, my car has the standard strut suspension. Only $52. each at the local Toyota and/or Lexus dealer.

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2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

My mother never drove. Instead, she grew up as a young woman being a perfect example for the HJ "Hitlerjugend' and learnt to grow her 18-year younger twin sister and brother during the bombings in Germany. No, she is not a good driver but damn, she is a good mother!
I grew up in driving with my family in a 1958 Ponton 190D, lblue in color and later another in red with lots of chrome. What an experience!
When my father decided in 1969 to drive Peugeots, my love for the MB Diesel continued. It wasn't until I was long in the United States (since 1981) when I purchased a Diesel here and have been with it ever since. My family and friends back in the Old Country laugh at me: "you cannot afford a better car?" Yes, I answer, I can buy any car there is out

Thanks Privatelabel. I may do that. Lexus are great cars, as well as the diesel Mercedes of the 80s. As mentioned, my car has 231K and still runs like new. I am amazed it is so smooth at these miles. At idle, I have to look at the tach to tell if the engine is still running. Transmission shifts are still unnoticable.
I just wish parts were a little cheaper and it was easier to work on. Starter replacement requires removal of the exhaust manifold- which most places charge $800-$1000- JUST to *change* a starter. Front suspension bushings replacement are also high $$$- which is another common problem on these cars. Basically the first generation LS400 (1990-1994) are virtually bulletproof, but have the following trouble spots- LCD climate control screen (leaks and turns black after a while), instrument cluster flourecent lighting go out after several years, but it a very easy repair, - mine is still fine (as you will see in attached photo of my instrument cluster), but they do sometimes go out, flicker or the needles do not illuminate. Also, power steering pump leaks- which leads to bad alternators, because design flaw. The alternator is below the pump and the fluid leaks in the alternator and over time, the alternator goes bad. Also- front suspension bushings go bad and cause a "clunk" in the front suspension when you hit bumps. Other than that- no other trouble spots. Electrical systems are way above average for a imported luxury car.

Thanks again for the advice.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

Here is another view.

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__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

How about some exterior shots of your LS400?
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Ahh you finally come around! The LS400 is a nice car there is a mint balck one that I always seems to pass me on my way to work, they are very sharp looking. If the cost of LS400 parts is getting to you do not buy a W140, if you do buy the best S320 you can afford. They are great cars but you have to really want one. My advice is get $5k together and start to hunt for a real mint 300SD or maybe even an SDL. The W126's with the inline engines are more simple to work on. Some parts can be a pita to get to with the V8's. It wouldn't stop me from buying an 8 though.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks for the information. H-Town- here are more photos of my car:

It is a 1990, with 231K, so it has some body flaws....

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__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

Another

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

And one of the engine:

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)