M103 vs m104 engine
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ford explorer
M103 vs m104 engine
hello everyone. i have been doing some research and have found diffrent reports on these two diffrent engines.
Any imput on which engine is better than the other (m104 has the dohc and the m103 sohc)
categories include but not limited to - performance / problems and maintainance which engine stands out as solid In Your Experince and Knowledge
thanks
Any imput on which engine is better than the other (m104 has the dohc and the m103 sohc)
categories include but not limited to - performance / problems and maintainance which engine stands out as solid In Your Experince and Knowledge
thanks
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95' E320 Wagon (gave to father) 15' VW TDI Wagon, 05' X3, 97' F150, 99' Buell S3
M103 is 177HP. M104 is 215HP. 104 has variable intake cam timing which produces better low end torque.
I have both. The 104 is far superior. 160K miles, no problems. The 103 had valve guides and seals at 130K due to oil consumption.
I have both. The 104 is far superior. 160K miles, no problems. The 103 had valve guides and seals at 130K due to oil consumption.
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95' E320 Wagon (gave to father) 15' VW TDI Wagon, 05' X3, 97' F150, 99' Buell S3
The 91' with 103 has cost me a lot more over the years than the 95' with 104.Why is the 104 less bulletproof? Maybe I got lucky.
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88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
I'm a bit biased toward the M103-12V.
More simplistic, minimal electronics, and a more primitive injection system.
Basic and better for a DIY'er
More simplistic, minimal electronics, and a more primitive injection system.
Basic and better for a DIY'er
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lots of cars
Yup RBYCC is right! there are far more part avialable for the m103 in the junk yards and ebay. You don't have to go to a mechaninc to fix everything. There are alot of cars you can get compatible parts too like the 190e 2.6, s320, and 260E...
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so what you are saying is the m103 is better than the m104 in terms of easy to fix and get parts for as well as being more durable than the m104 bcuz i havent seen many of these m104 with like over 200k miles original motor unlike many m103's.
does it perform well against hondas and toyotas v6 motors?
does it perform well against hondas and toyotas v6 motors?
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i now drive a ford p71 i also own a 1988 ford f150 lariat
well i have never had a bad thing happen with my motor just my battery and fuses or 2 *sighs* and most recently the hood latch the tab on my grill snapped off. and i just got a present for my car to today new ATF.
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89 300TE, and 68 280sel
I have an m103 and after replacing tidbits here and there (timing chain, water pump, engine mounts, cap rotor wires, OVP relay) and I have one very very smooth and linear motor. The power is ample for US driving conditions and it serves decent mileage in return. If you want a kick in the pants, buy the 400E or E420. The 6cyls are just fine. I can't say I would really compare the m103 and m104 against the jap v6's, it is apples and oranges. I can tell you that the benz feels much more solid.
Just remember, you get what you pay for. Trying to find the cheapest w124 will haunt you. Find a nurtured car or else you will pay for it in the shop unless you can wrench on your own.
I always look for a strong engine and tranny and a clean interior. The little things can be ironed out down the road. I do not plan on ever selling my w124 wagon, it is really that good of a car.
Just remember, you get what you pay for. Trying to find the cheapest w124 will haunt you. Find a nurtured car or else you will pay for it in the shop unless you can wrench on your own.
I always look for a strong engine and tranny and a clean interior. The little things can be ironed out down the road. I do not plan on ever selling my w124 wagon, it is really that good of a car.
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95' E320 Wagon (gave to father) 15' VW TDI Wagon, 05' X3, 97' F150, 99' Buell S3
I did a bunch of stuff at the same time. Actually, I didn't need guides, just seals. The other stuff was, head gasket, timing chain, hoses, misc. Done at the MB dealer a few years back for $1800. The cost was not itemized. Seals would not require head removal, and I'm sure it's a lot less for just that. Cleared up the oil comsumption.
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2007 GL500, 2007 E280
M103 Engine FTW!
My 260E has almost 270,000k's and shes still going Strong Only Major things shes had replaced are the Wiring Harness, radiator....thats really it lol
Amazingly she hasnt done a Head gasket yet
Only things that are wrong with her at the moment are shes leaking oil and ive got no idea where from
Getting it checked out soon when i have time after work to put her up on a hoist
My 260E has almost 270,000k's and shes still going Strong Only Major things shes had replaced are the Wiring Harness, radiator....thats really it lol
Amazingly she hasnt done a Head gasket yet
Only things that are wrong with her at the moment are shes leaking oil and ive got no idea where from
Getting it checked out soon when i have time after work to put her up on a hoist
Last edited by Geh; 12-17-2007 at 03:16 AM.
#16
im not 100% sure whats wrong with my 103, but my dad is pushing me to sell it and get something newer. i love my car, but the though of having an e420 is pretty nice. haha. any reason not to change cars?
currently oil is leaking like a sieve (dad randomly did a synthetic oil change) and i smell a lot of burnt oil. also theres oil in the coolant, but the car doesnt run hot (stays around 85-90).
currently oil is leaking like a sieve (dad randomly did a synthetic oil change) and i smell a lot of burnt oil. also theres oil in the coolant, but the car doesnt run hot (stays around 85-90).
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95' E320 Wagon (gave to father) 15' VW TDI Wagon, 05' X3, 97' F150, 99' Buell S3
Coolant in the oil is generally a sign of bad head gasket. Leaking oil may be dripping on the exhaust header, another sign of a bad gasket.
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is a German Tank
im not 100% sure whats wrong with my 103, but my dad is pushing me to sell it and get something newer. i love my car, but the though of having an e420 is pretty nice. haha. any reason not to change cars?
currently oil is leaking like a sieve (dad randomly did a synthetic oil change) and i smell a lot of burnt oil. also theres oil in the coolant, but the car doesnt run hot (stays around 85-90).
currently oil is leaking like a sieve (dad randomly did a synthetic oil change) and i smell a lot of burnt oil. also theres oil in the coolant, but the car doesnt run hot (stays around 85-90).
It's better to run conventional-thicker oils due to the gasket's age.
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so what you are saying is the m103 is better than the m104 in terms of easy to fix and get parts for as well as being more durable than the m104 bcuz i havent seen many of these m104 with like over 200k miles original motor unlike many m103's.does it perform well against hondas and toyotas v6 motors?
#21
So let me get this straight... The m103 and m104 are both 3.0L inline-6 motors right? The only difference is that the m104 has a dohc and 215hp? Does anyone know where I could buy one of these? I currently have an m103 in my 190e and maybe I am getting greedy here, but I say you can never have too much power
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89 300TE, and 68 280sel
So let me get this straight... The m103 and m104 are both 3.0L inline-6 motors right? The only difference is that the m104 has a dohc and 215hp? Does anyone know where I could buy one of these? I currently have an m103 in my 190e and maybe I am getting greedy here, but I say you can never have too much power
If you are going to the trouble to swap a motor like that, go with the 3.6L AMG 104 motor used in the C36. It has been done before.
#25
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So let me get this straight... The m103 and m104 are both 3.0L inline-6 motors right? The only difference is that the m104 has a dohc and 215hp? Does anyone know where I could buy one of these? I currently have an m103 in my 190e and maybe I am getting greedy here, but I say you can never have too much power
The 3.0L M103 has SOHC and 177hp. It was used in the 1986-1992 300E sedan and the 1988-1989 300CE coupe as well as the 1988-1992 300TE wagons.
In 1990, they installed a 3.0L M104 DOHC (217hp) in the 1990-1992 300CE (this motor was only installed in the coupes).
In 1993-1995, they installed the 3.2L M104 DOHC (217hp) in the sedan, wagon and coupe.
This also doesn't cover the 2.6L motors.....someone else can chime in with that info.