Here’s a mild rarity among the legion of diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz models: a one-year-only 1987 300SDL, which combined a long, comfortable wheelbase with a decently powerful 3.0 inline-six turbodiesel. This model made a respectable 201 lb-ft of torque, which helped it reach 60 miles per hour in less than 15 seconds and maintain healthy triple-digit cruising speeds if that’s your thing. The seller’s car is located in Belmont, Massachusetts, but apparently came from Georgia originally, which allowed it to remain rust-free underneath. Find the Mercedes here on craigslist for $19,999.
That being said, it’s not like the W126 is a massively collectible model. In fact, the majority of them usually fall on hard times when the third or fourth owner takes over and doesn’t feel like paying the service bill for a routine component failure. The coupe, however, is a different story, as those sell for strong money even if found in slightly ratty condition. This four-door turbodiesel is an intriguing outlier, however. I don’t know if it’s a $20,000 outlier, but the one-year-only production and the more powerful engine make this a compelling buy if you’ve been on the hunt for a turbodiesel Mercedes that can keep up with modern traffic.
And whether you’re buying a W126 or a W123-era diesel Benz, the common denominator is the robust build quality and proven ability for the drivetrains to go well over 300,000 miles without a major rebuild. This 300SDL has a mere 136,635 miles on the clock, which is practically nothing for a Mercedes from this golden era of over-engineering. The color is the other factor working in this car’s favor, as most W126’s are fairly demure, clad in shades of white, gray, and navy blue. The jade green exterior gives the stately sedan some much-needed “pop” while the diesel clatter at startup gives this big-body Benz plenty of personality.
Car looks pretty beat down to me. I like the green color on these. I think it’s worth about 6K tops with the miles. From what little pictures there are this car has been in the sun by the looks of the orange needles in the cluster. Hood also doesn’t align on the drivers side. Someone bought this for probably 3-5K and wants a easy flip.
WOW! – a (not so) cheap Mercedes.Imagine how much
you’d have into this if you bought it & restored it.
At 35 years old it’s going to be aggravating to replace all the electronics for climate control, cruise control and other convenience features along with all the rubber components. Way overpriced.
Pretty sure there was an 86 when they changed from SD to SDL. 86 and 87s Can be found much cheaper than this one…
My father’s last car was an identical model. Great highway cruiser, but never going to impress moving from a stoplight at all. Even when new, an MB of this era was not inexpensive to maintain, they tended to break big when they broke. Parts are probably difficult to source now.
Actually, these are the best S-Classes ever built. 6 years
development time. Nothing was overseen there. They
deserve respect.
Parts that are not important for safety were made of
aluminum, such as the dashboard or the seat frames. They
built the exhaust from factory in stainless steel. The rust
protection here is already good with CDL and zinc-coated
bodywork. With the final cavity treatment at the factory,
these cars – with good care – last forever. But sadly today
such are hard to find, of course, as many simply enjoy their
comfort and passive safety but don’t want to spend
anything on maintenance or total care. Too bad.
Why should someone buy this with a smelling diesel as
there where great engines as the straight six 300, the mid
sized 420, the ‘standard’ 500, or the prestigious 560? I
dont understand it.
This molested car here needs a dull polish and some tlc
including the wheels. The rest of it could look like what
shown here.
The seller never mentions the mechanical condition of the car or even if it runs. And only three photos. Very lazy ad for a car that’s supposed to be “special”
One year only means parts are near impossible to find seller is basing the price off of a pristine condition sellers guide this one is maybe worth $5,000 after a professional detail and mechanical inspection
They are wonderful cars, slow but undemanding, and with care will last many many miles, with comfort and distinction.
This one looks like about $5000., someone was right, and the thing to do with it is send it to Mercedes Classchise in Irvine California, write a check,
and let them go through the car one time. You will then have a new car.
Drive and enjoy.
Jeff, not to screw up your headline, but I believe the 300SDL was actually a 2-year model, 1986 and 1987.
I worked for MB when this car was built. a great car, less than stellar acceptance and sales. and the blue green is a horrible color, the car is over priced. WAY over priced.
worth about 30 to 40% of asking.
Wonder if this one runs and drives. Suspicious fact that is is photographed on a trailer. Also highly suspect is seller makes no mention of mechanical health. Pass!!!!
$20k 😆😅😅😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣
I think he’s got to many 0s. I’ll give him $2k
0-60 in 15 seconds, do you measure the 1/4 mile with a calendar
I rebuilt every rare pollution control component, and every vacuum controlled device on my CA 1984 300TD wagon. All the drive train restored. Door detents, instrument senders, and a new blueprinted engine from stationary Alaska power plants installed when Jiffy Lube forgot to tighten the drain plug about 100,000 miles ago. (Yes- a power plant backup engine of choice!) This 285,000 mile vehicle has totaled two Japanese sedans who rear-ended me with barely a scratch on my battleship. Pity that it lasts so long. My grandkids will probably inherit this fry pan oil fueled miracle when the only fuel oil available will be vegetable! Actually, a pretty nice ride having compensating suspension at all four wheels. Hard to badmouth something that was so well built! 1984 !!!!!.
I agree 100% with SteVen, 1986-7. And I’ve never owned either but a worthy MB friend told me this diesel was not as solid as the ones in the earlier 80’s as these were 6-cylinders meaning the walls were a bit thinner than the 5-cylinders. Anyone?
not an expert, but I believe the headgaskets tend to blow on these. The rule of thumb I would abide by is to avoid the 86-91 diesels in general, even if some say whichever of the 6 cylinder engines are ok, the earlier 5 cylinder is the better of the both of them.
I had a 1987 wagon like this that i paid 3500 for with 100k miles on it. I drove yhe snot out of it putting an additional 200k on it before i sold it for what i paid for it.
All these cars rot out in the fender wells front and back. Finding parts for it will become a real chore because MB has stopped supporting any model that is 30+ years old.
This particular example has seen way better days and might be worthwhile at $2-3K at the most. Sitting on a trailer doesn’t help it at all.
Preventative maintenance is always better and cheaper than corrective.
And the key to keep them on the road.