w124uk

Hi,
It's been a while since I got rid of my w124.... but somehow I miss that beast...
I'm tempted to get another one of those, recently seen a couple of 280E (well one is a 280E and one is the facelifted version of the same car).
Now a couple of questions.....
Am I right saying that the facelifted ones tend to go rusty sonner than the older cars?
Your opinions on the 2.8 24V engine... I'd be comparing it with the old style 260E I had... What should I expect from the car? I still remember the uneven idle on my 260E, that old fuel injection system wasn't good at all! Is the new one any better?
Thanks in advance!

ps2cho

Is this the 1993 300E 2.8?

rusher

I would go for 320E... it makes more fun

w124uk

Well, I'm based in the UK so it's called a 280E and yes, it's a 1993 car.

ps2cho

So it should be the M104 engine then...

The M104 is more expensive part-wise compared to the M103, and it also has the wiring harness problems....but on the other hand the head gasket + valve guides/stems are not problems as they are with the M103.

Not sure about the rust as we don't have those problems over here.

w124uk

Yes, it's the 24V engine.
I've had bad experience with the old 12V engine on my old w124 (with only 80k and one owner from new), the idle was uneven and in the end I got rid of the car (tried way too many things to cure it, still no luck).
Guess now it's a toss up between the facelifted and pre-facelifted model... and I'm the only one to decide it... I used to like the facelifted more a few years back, now I'm being drawn to the old classic lines of the pre-facelifted one!!! Saying that whenever I see pics of Jenn's facelifted car, I really like it!
If I decide to go for the pre-facelifted, I'll definitely keep the amber indicators (repeaters) - kind of like that old school look!
So what are the common faults with the M104 engine then?
Thanks in advance!

w124uk

Does anyone know what's the easiest way to spot an engine wiring harness on the way out? I'll be looking at the car on Tuesday (basically, if it's as described, I'll be buying it immediately)
Thanks in advance

rivcal4life

I remember reading somewhere to look under the passenger floorboard and find the largest cable. At that point cut open the main harness and inspect the wires inside. It should be pretty obvious if its on the way out. Let me try to find you the link...

w124uk

Thanks!
I'll have a look tomorrow and I'll hopefully buy the car!
In the meantime, have a look at the pics of the car and let me know what you think!

And here goes the spec list:

Order 0 3 537 60842
Lights BOSCH
Wiper BOSCH
Cab 01011
Delivery date 28.01.93
Dealer Great Britain (537)
Interior cloth grey (068)
Paint
040 black (T) (с 01.01.1963)
Options
280 steering wheel (400 mm dia.) and gearshift lever in leather trim; on W202 390 mm dia. (с 01.05.1984)
341 additional lamp (с 01.09.1982)
362
412 electric sliding roof with tilting device (с 01.07.1983)
420 automatic transmission, floor shift (с 01.01.1963)
430 headrests in the rear (с 01.01.1977)
461 instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
524 paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)
570 folding armrest front w202/210 stowage box front with armrest (с 01.04.1970)
front folding armrest w202 - housing at front with armrest
586 Behr air conditioner, and electric window lifters (front and rear doors) (с 01.04.1970)
593 heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (single-sheet safety glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, single pane safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
600 headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
613 lamp unit, asymmetrical, l.h. traffic (с 01.02.1963)
620 emission control system
vehicles with catalyst technique (с 01.03.1985)
664 10 liters of fuel and mode of packing VE III (с 01.01.1979 по 30.06.1993)
855 telephone TELE-AID, Nokia, D-net

Jakew903

I'd kill for one of those 280E's. I've driven them in the US because one came into my shop. I LOVED it.

w124uk

Really? So what do you like about them most?
I was hesitating between a pre-facelift (the one I want to go for in the end) and facelifted one but the insurance made it simple - the pre-facelift qualifies for classic car insurance, 1993-1995 doesn't.

The car I'm looking at today (and hopefully buying) has got rust bubbling up on front wings (fenders), worn bolster on the driver's seat and worn B post trim, other than that it's said to be in decent condition.... hope that's the case!