Hay guys,

I am thinking about buying a 91 sd that has 170,000 miles on it. What do you guys think?

I don't know nothing about Diesels. What should I be looking for when buying this car.

When purchasing a car like this is good enough just to take it to a Mercedes Dealer to have it inspected or should it be a special type of inspection?

Is this going to be a high maintanance car ec?

And how much do you think I should I pay?

ben

__________________
Silver Honda Accord, 2006
Silver G500, 2003
Silver SLK-320, 2002
Black ML-320, 2000
Bule Porsche 993 Targa , 1997
Silver Merkur XR4Ti, 1987

Take it to a dealer and have them do a compression and leakdown test.
Try to take it to a larger MB dealer that is familiar with this engine and its possible problems. Pay the dealer $250.00 ..if it doesn't pass the tests ...RUN!!...to fix the engine on this car will be $9000-11000
Although the car you are looking at may have no problems.
I would expect that this car(depending on paint etc) would be worth something in the 12-13K range with those miles.Subtract if the seats,carpets,paint are not in good condition.

good luck

Warren
1992 300SD 111K
turner@greif.com

I would do some research on this car. Do a search on this web-site and you may find out that the 91 and later 300SD has the dreaded 3.5 "rod-bender" engine in it.
I hate to bring the bad news to you, but watch out for these motors.
Here are some links for that info.

350 SDL

1994 350SD Purchase Questions!

350 SDL Engine

I hope this helps.
ARI

To many problem don't buy.

bad engine: oil leek, head gasket leek bad all across.

Thanks guys. I looked at the links, and it looks like trouble. No wonder they are selling it so cheap. The Engin probaly have problems.

What do you folks recomend that I look at if I was interested in buying a turbo diesel. I want to spend less thant $10k. $5K is better.

ben

__________________
Silver Honda Accord, 2006
Silver G500, 2003
Silver SLK-320, 2002
Black ML-320, 2000
Bule Porsche 993 Targa , 1997
Silver Merkur XR4Ti, 1987

For that price (5-10K) I think you will be looking at really clean low mileage 84-85 300SD or a slightly higher mileage 86-87 300SDL.
I am not as familiar with the 90-91 selling prices but the 92-95 cars(in good condition) often sell at a premium at the MB dealer because they are so rare.Expect 25-32K for those.So if you find one (and you want a starmark car..trust me) expect to pay 3-4K above book.
Curiously what were they asking for the 1991 model you looked at?

Warren
1992 300SD 111K
turner@greif.com


[Edited by turnne1 on 03-21-2001 at 01:02 PM]

it was on e-bay and it was bidding at $6,800. So that was why I was thinking.

__________________
Silver Honda Accord, 2006
Silver G500, 2003
Silver SLK-320, 2002
Black ML-320, 2000
Bule Porsche 993 Targa , 1997
Silver Merkur XR4Ti, 1987

I took a look at that car on e-bay......http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=571464971&r=0&t=0..
It appears to be very clean(for that year and mileage)...interior looks fresh and the paint and body look good. I noticed that the ad said one owner and always serviced by a Houston MB dealer...big pluses in the resale....I bet that car will bring about twice what is at now..or about 13K

Warren
1992 300SD 111k
turner@greif.com

Ben,

Read the article at the below link for a general understanding of problems associated with the OM603.97 engine in the '90-'95 350SDL/350SD/300SD/S350.

http://www.mbz.org/complaints/350D/

__________________
Chris

'04 ML500 - 53k, Inspiration Edition, Desert Silver
'11 Audi A4 Avant - Brilliant Black
'87 300SDL sold
'99 C280 Sport sold
'85 190E 2.3 sold

One of these days I hope someone will finally figure out why some of these engines failed and some cars have 250K and no problems..??
I had a talk with the regional MB rep in my area while my car was at the dealer awaiting engine replacement...I was given the answer that the quality of the diesel fuel in the US had an affect on some of these cars depending on how they were taken care of....who knows?....I think they were told to give that answer as I have heard the same exact words from other owners around the country who have talked to MB corporate....in any case it seems that they will offer goodwill on cars with 75K or less(which they would never publisize,but I know it to be the actual case)...providing the car has not been abused nor maitenance not followed...and as far as I am am concerned that means MB dealer documented service...that way they can pull all records on their database for proof of service history....why take a 10K gamble?
.just my .002

Warren
1992 300SD 111k
turner@greif.com

Hello

i drive a 1995 e300 diesel 6 cilender engine 606
180.000 mile perfect te best of the best.
I'm changing oil/filter by mi self, fill the tank and go
At 160.000 mile i change the vacuum pomp and the timing
$1.000 repair well spend, this is a 124W body style,
you can get this cars for 17/21 with decent miliage.
And if you get a car like this remember to gange the vacuum pomp and taiming before a brake down (140.000 mile) than a well cost more mony to fixed.

bye Maurice



E300 diesel 1995 180.000 mile
E300 TE 1990 133.00 mile

On the way home yesterday, I came-up beside a beautiful black w126 350sdl at a red-light that was putting out more smoke at idle than a lot of mb diesels put out at full load. I lowered my window slightly to to give a listen to the engine .... I've never heard a diesel sound that "sloppy" before .... it was just horrible. I really felt sorry for the owner

__________________
1980 Mercedes 240D
1982 Mercedes 300SD
1985 Mercedes 300D
1993 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel

Thanks Guys.

I think I will passed on it. The reason I want to get a diesel is because the last forever. It does not seem this is it.

ben

__________________
Silver Honda Accord, 2006
Silver G500, 2003
Silver SLK-320, 2002
Black ML-320, 2000
Bule Porsche 993 Targa , 1997
Silver Merkur XR4Ti, 1987