This great-looking Benz combines some of the best-ever Mercedes components into what feels like a bank vault on wheels (yes, I have experience). After chatting with the owner this morning I’m convinced I’d like to own this car; if you appreciate fine machinery I think you’ll agree. Read on for more information!
The 1986-87 300 SDL turbo diesel Benzes are known for their build quality and longevity, to the point where the 256,190 miles on this one don’t scare me at all. Look at the condition of the original paint and interior! The car was originally bought in North Carolina and the seller told me about the purchasing family owning visually identical 1986 and 1987 300 SDLs they liked them so much. Why did I have a phone call with the seller? Because he was kind enough to call me immediately after I texted a question to make sure I got a complete answer–which makes me want to own the car all the more. And yes, there’s a good reason it’s for sale. By the way, I was asking about the air conditioning, which I’m assured is blowing cold and the seller’s mechanic believes it’s been converted previously to R134.
Beautiful? No, not really. But I’m looking for a classic automatic for my wife to drive due to a hip injury and I can’t imagine her being much safer than in this W126 Benz. The black/silver scheme lightens the look of what is a massive vehicle (~3,600 pounds). One cool feature I found while researching this article stands out: while other auto manufacturers typically used conventional mild steel, Mercedes engineers decided on high-strength steel for the floor pan and the side members of the car. Because the steel was stronger than the typical material, the panels could be thinner and thus lighten the body structure. That’s 208.2 inches of car you’re seeing!
The Palomino leather interior looks nicely worn in but not worn out. Those seats are great for cross-country hauls (at least for my back). I had a mentor early in my career who purchased used M-B sedans when they hit the right point on their depreciation curve; when he got one of these he stopped replacing them! I went for many rides in that car and will never forget the solid sound of the doors when they closed.
The dash is uncracked, further proof that this car has led a cosseted life! I think of this design as being understated, like an older Bentley, where there’s just enough technology and features but not too much. I don’t know a better way to explain it, but if you know you know. Mind you, this glowing praise is coming from a British car lover!
Just look at that beautiful wood! Only 5509 1987 300 SDLs were produced, making it a very exclusive car (there were 818,063 W126 sedans made during its 12-year production run).
Under the hood, we have the OM603 3-liter version of the Mercedes turbo diesel. Like the rest of the car, understated, but substantial. Although it only produced 148 hp at 4600 rpm and 201 lb-ft of torque at 2400 rpm, it would do it for days on end. 0-60 takes around 13 seconds, but you’re doing it with a certain low-key panache. If you are interested in this car like I am, you can find the auction here on eBay, where bidding is currently up to $6,100 as I type. And if I’m not the high bidder, I hope one of you BarnFinds readers wins the auction so you can tell us about it in the comments!
Discreet, luxurious, elegant and solid all at the same time.
In my opinion, the most beautiful bodywork of the “Benz”.
On the money. No pun intended.
J. R. Ewing approved!
I have a 1990 560SEL which is the same W126, albeit longer in length. Each time I’m behind the wheel, I feel as if I’m driving a Rolls Royce. They are indeed over-built tanks. Not that long ago, a young guy working as a valet told me that I was the caretaker of something of historical significance having a MB of that era. I was surprised but impressed by his comment. He then added that today, anyone with too much money can drive something attention grabbing like a Maserati or Range Rover but to drive a classic MB was much more special.
The “L” in SDL denotes the lang version, or as translated into English, long. The SDL and SEL are the same long body.
As a college student I was a valet in the early 1990s and I LOVED driving these MBs and the owners were usually good tippers!
My 1985 300-SD had 385K when I bought a new MB and parked the 300SD in an airplane hangar. Still there. Couldn’t bear to part with it. Best car I’ve ever owned.
Beautiful looking car. This would make an awesome limousine for one who wouldn’t be caught dead riding in a modern Hummer or a Cadillac. I’d drive this in a heartbeat.
I am also a big fan of these. Good luck, Jamie. You will be getting a great car if you’re the winner in the bidding.
I, too, am a great admirer of the 126 series MB – classiest modern MB body ever in my opinion. We had a 350SD (1991) that we we put well over 100K on and, when I sold it with about 320K on the clock, it was still going strong. We currently have a 1983 300SD (same engine as this one but about 5 inches shorter) and a 1985 Euro 500SEC coupe. These cars are amazingly well built and very comfortable to spend a long high milage day in.
This looks like a nice one – good luck to the next owner!
Best cars ever made, ever.
The 300SDL was a great car, but the 300SD (1981-1985) was extraordinarily more reliable than the SDL. The trap oxidizer was an issue along with headgasket issues. Production stopped after 1987. The 350 SD/SDL came out in 1990. It was the worst MB diesel engine ever produced;therefore, the 86/87 300SDL was considered “perfect” in comparison. Again, the 300SD was indeed the “perfect” diesel (comparing reliability of the 300SDL and 350SD/SDL! This is a gorgeous car! I have owned about 25 diesels in the past 40 years!
I love those cars, nothing but pure class
I love these old-school Mercedes-Benz, probably more than anything currently being offered.
Nothing like a properly serviced garage kept MB regardless of mileage. This diesel has plenty of life for someone to enjoy.
Absolutely!