harman

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

STLe320

I think the m104 produces more whp...

danholm

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.

ZorroAMG

Actually, even though Danholm's experience is different, the M103 is claimed to be more bulletproof than the M104 although it DOES produce less HP

danholm

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.

ZorroAMG

That's what I am saying, I think the overall concensus is that the M103 is stronger on the bottom end etc...If you got lucky, great!

crr1612

yo danholm, how much did valve guides and seals run you to repair?

RBYCC

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

YNVDIZW124

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...

harman

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?

Rio Z Lander

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.

myfirstbenz

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.

shadowgriffen

I can attest to the m103's tank like reliability.

It is definitely the Best engine I've ever had on any car.

Period.

danholm

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.

Geh

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

Sojo300E

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).

danholm

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.

shadowgriffen

Synthetic oil is not helping the cause either, it's too thin and will leak out of every nook and cranny.

It's better to run conventional-thicker oils due to the gasket's age.

Saijin_Naib

Sojo, where are you? My dad has a 400e for sale

Chappy

My 1991 300CE (M104) has 221,000 miles on it.

Wolf190

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

myfirstbenz

You aren't in Bellingham are you? I worked for a guy who had a car just like yours and called it the wolf. Is yours white with black 16-valve leather interior?

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.

Saijin_Naib

Dont take them all, thats my my 300ce is teh need

Sojo300E

i live in Socal, in Hawthorne. pics?

Chappy

Since you're asking for clarification - here goes (This info is for US models for for the W124 only - the inline sixes were also used in the W201 and R129):

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.