1991 350SD......should I?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 304
Likes: 6
From: Atlanta, GA
2016 E400 4Matic
1991 350SD......should I?
Thinking about buying a 1991 350SD. Please see the comments below which are what the seller is saying about the car and give me your opinions please. I have never owned an S class, much less a diesel, but I love the looks of these cars. I currently have an 08 E350 and have owned a C300.
So what do you think?
The 3.5 6-cylinder diesel drives like a gas-powered S-class. If you're only used to the 617 engine, you will be blown away by this car. It accelerates quickly and cruises effortlessly at 85 MPH. It does not leak oil. It does not smoke. It starts effortlessly on the coldest mornings. It is my daily driver and is ready for your heavy duty commuting or summer travel, period.
The car has been meticulously maintained and no expense spared as shown by the records. Highlights of work done include a fully rebuilt transmission performed by German Car Service about 25K miles ago, and new front-end suspension about 35K miles ago. Both jobs totaled over $5K. The car shifts as it did when it rolled off the line, smooth as silk. The AC was completely retrofitted to R-134a in 2003 by Battles Benz and blows cold.
Since I bought it, I have invested the below services in the car, all OEM and all installed by Benz technicians in Atlanta (no Goodyear work here):
New Behr Radiator
New fan clutch w/blade
New Graf water pump
New alternator
Both front brake calipers, re-sealed
New brake hoses, all four wheels
Fresh brake fluid
Two new M/B-front brake pads
New thermostat
New valve cover gasket
New oil pressure sensor
New rear flex disc
New idler arm bushing
New engine mounts (2) and new engine V-belt shock
New V-belt
Both rear power windows repaired (plastic slides broke on each)
Fresh transmission service (new fluid/filter)
Fresh fuel filters (main and pre-filter)
Fresh oil every 3K miles
Six new glow plugs (car starts immediately on the coldest Atlanta mornings).
New core heater plug (never used - but figured car should have).
In other words, check the above off your maintenance list for a long time. The first alternator went 225K miles! The car needs nothing.
Further, the engine was rebuilt by RBM in 2000 when the 2nd owner noticed unusually high oil consumption. RBM did the Mercedes-authorized work roughly 150K miles ago, and I have the records to show the exact work performed. It was a total tear-down and rebuild, complete with stronger-specification connecting rods and more.
Current mileage on vehicle is 237,XXX. Daily driver. Again just 150K on the RBM-rebuilt engine and much less miles on the transmission and major suspension parts.
So what do you think?
The 3.5 6-cylinder diesel drives like a gas-powered S-class. If you're only used to the 617 engine, you will be blown away by this car. It accelerates quickly and cruises effortlessly at 85 MPH. It does not leak oil. It does not smoke. It starts effortlessly on the coldest mornings. It is my daily driver and is ready for your heavy duty commuting or summer travel, period.
The car has been meticulously maintained and no expense spared as shown by the records. Highlights of work done include a fully rebuilt transmission performed by German Car Service about 25K miles ago, and new front-end suspension about 35K miles ago. Both jobs totaled over $5K. The car shifts as it did when it rolled off the line, smooth as silk. The AC was completely retrofitted to R-134a in 2003 by Battles Benz and blows cold.
Since I bought it, I have invested the below services in the car, all OEM and all installed by Benz technicians in Atlanta (no Goodyear work here):
New Behr Radiator
New fan clutch w/blade
New Graf water pump
New alternator
Both front brake calipers, re-sealed
New brake hoses, all four wheels
Fresh brake fluid
Two new M/B-front brake pads
New thermostat
New valve cover gasket
New oil pressure sensor
New rear flex disc
New idler arm bushing
New engine mounts (2) and new engine V-belt shock
New V-belt
Both rear power windows repaired (plastic slides broke on each)
Fresh transmission service (new fluid/filter)
Fresh fuel filters (main and pre-filter)
Fresh oil every 3K miles
Six new glow plugs (car starts immediately on the coldest Atlanta mornings).
New core heater plug (never used - but figured car should have).
In other words, check the above off your maintenance list for a long time. The first alternator went 225K miles! The car needs nothing.
Further, the engine was rebuilt by RBM in 2000 when the 2nd owner noticed unusually high oil consumption. RBM did the Mercedes-authorized work roughly 150K miles ago, and I have the records to show the exact work performed. It was a total tear-down and rebuild, complete with stronger-specification connecting rods and more.
Current mileage on vehicle is 237,XXX. Daily driver. Again just 150K on the RBM-rebuilt engine and much less miles on the transmission and major suspension parts.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
1987 300SDL
I love the 350sd or the sdl. I am currently looking for a 300 or a 350 sdl. The 350 has known rod issues but it appears that is corrected. The 300 has head issues so if you want a 1986-91 sd you have to pick your poison. I prefer the smaller 300 with the 350 head but again I would buy either. I gave my 300sdl to my daughter that is why I am looking for a new ride. Nothing rides on the highway like a big benz
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
1987 300SDL
here is a pic of the new rods
http://www.w124performance.com/image...rods_both1.jpg
http://www.w124performance.com/image...rods_both1.jpg
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