Reluctantly I have decided to part with my 1991 350SDL. I have owned the car for 14 years have only 113K miles on it - all service records always ran synthetic Mobile 1 15/50. No body work scratches or dents fanatically maintained by me (ask my wife). Honestly the car looks like new. Black with grey, air is ice cold, 10 disc CD all original and runs perfect. New Bridgestone Turanza tires. Almost all highway miles just used on trips to Florida and back every year. Always garaged. Private me for more info.
Indeed. Damn shame, the 350s are otherwise outstanding cars. There was a story not long ago in The Star about an original owner 350 SD, the car looked and was running like new. I’m tempted but the engines are really a crapshoot.
Might want to consider having a compression test done and verified by an MB shop. At least you can show a prospective new owner the engine’s solid as of the time of purchase.
A good first step might be to click on 'User CP' on the top tool bar, and add a location to your profile. You should probably post this in the 'for sale...' forum as well.
Cheers
A "rod bender"? Wow this car purrs at 80-MPH and is the quietest diesel at idle I have ever heard. Always maintained by MB mechanic, I just put on new tires and had the car professionally buffed and it is an eye catcher whenever I drive it. I'll get some pics up and didn't realize there is a section here to sell cars. I also put Euro lites on this year before I did my trip to Florida (what a difference at 60 my sight is not as good at night) and did the wiper mods so they work as new on the lights.
it's known as a rod bender because the 350 engines self-destruct out of the blue, on a regular basis. There's better than a 75% chance it will happen if it has not happened already, so that's why everyone asks.
Sounds like a nice car. Post some pics and a price!
I just drove to Florida and back a few weeks ago and put a total of about 5K miles and it was still between the lines but at the bottom line so added a quart. I use 15/50 synthetic and get it changed once a year which translates to 4 -6K between changes.
I just drove to Florida and back a few weeks ago and put a total of about 5K miles and it was still between the lines but at the bottom line so added a quart. I use 15/50 synthetic and get it changed once a year which translates to 4 -6K between changes.
That you properly cared for the car and that the car is running well now is not at issue, neither is your belief that the car is worthy of a buyer’s consideration.
What’s at issue (sadly) is 350s bend rods – it may be due to a turbo oil seal leak/air intake problem – no one really knows the cause but an inordinate number of 3.5 L engines have developed the problem.
No one should buy a diesel w/o a compression test, period - that goes for 617s and 3.0 L 603s as well. By having a compression test done you can demonstrate to a prospective buyer the problem does not exist at this time and assuage a knowledgeable buyer’s concern about the problem.
No one on the forum – perhaps BW as a whole – is going to buy the car w/o a compression test and more detail about the car because they know of the problem.
Thanks for everbodys comments and advice. I should have waited until I had all the pictures ready and records in order. I will be doing all this in a week so lets end it here and if you want to you can private me. If a compression check should be done as recommended I have the MB merchanic do it. Now that I have put my foot in the water looks like I'll really take the plunge and sell it. I am not experienced in procedures here so don't hesitate to straighten me out about all this. They only shipped 615 1991 SDL's to the US and got to think this is one of the best,
I put the car on Ebay for $10500 and could have sold three of them at that price. Had about 12 calls and the buyer flew in from Atlanta and drove the car back. I miss it already it was the best Mercedes I ever owned (have had 12) ran just as smooth as the day I bought it. never had a mechanical problem in 13 years just routine maintence items (water pump and vacuum pump were the biggest).
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