First, let me say hello and thank you for welcoming me into your forum. This is my first post.

Second, I am not trying to start a debate between owners of different models. I am just interested in facts.

Here goes...
I am interested in purchasing a W124 as an occasional commuter vehicle. I am looking for the most reliable and best performing year/model of the bunch. I prefer the look of the E320 but many visits to this site have proven to me that every model and year can be made to look cool. I know there are numerous differences in engines, transmissions and suspensions.

I have been told to buy an E300 with a build date after 4/91 because it has a better tranny, solid engine and suspension better than the E320. I have not been able to verify this information and I'm hoping you can all educate me a bit. Thanks.

 

If I recall correctly, 1993-95 was the years where Mercedes used an inferior wiring harness that would degrade over time.

In my opinion, any W124 300E from 1988-1992 is great. There are 2 engines, a 24V 3.0 and a 12V 3.0. One makes 180 bhp, the other makes 218bhp. Guess which one you want?

 

Welcome to the forum. Get the 6cylinder model and year you like, and don't worry about it.

Shoomie, 1992's had the "bean curd" harness as well. Ask me how I know.

 

Really? I can't believe such an overengineered car like the W124 can have such a silly problem. :S

 

I prefer the 94/95, am in process of sorting a 95 wagon, and will soon only own 94 Cab+wagon, 95 Cab, wagon, sedan. (my '92 white Sportline is going to a friend)

The 3.2 m104 alone is reason to choose 94/95. An extra 15% horsepower modernizes the driver's experience. It is true about the biodegradable harness, but, I'd pay for that repair to get the added 15% horsepower, and I would pay again if it would add another 15% horses.

I believe AC and electrical improvements exist on the later models, once sorted.

Ands the engineers did not choose biodegradable harnesses, this was required, no?

 

1993-1994 E60 AMG
1987-1988 Hammer AMG [of course ]
1993-1994 E73 Brabus
1993-1994 E60 Brabus
1987-1989 AMG 3.2
1989-1993 E36 Brabus

 

 

lol he said he wanted the best

 

It was required, yes.

 

I would recommend picking up a copy of the W124 Bible. I have owned a 1991 300CE and. My current 1995 E320 wagon.

The wagon is better for hauling kids and stuff.
The coupe is gorgeous.
The wagon has more torque and first gear start.
The coupe is faster and revs to 7000rpm.
The wagon has a better A/C.
The coupe was more rare.
The wagon gets worse mileage.
The coupe won't fit rear child seats very well.
The wagon had the more modern facelift.
The coupe felt better at speed due to a lower CD.
The wagon has better headlamps.
The coupe was BEAUTIFUL (did I mention that already lol...)

Buy what fits your needs and budget. Happy Hunting!!

 

Now, I want another coupe. Thanks Chappy!

 

Lolz!!

 

Can I get a rough estimate what this repair would cost? Also, after so many years isn't it likely to find cars that have already had the repair done?

 

I did it myself on my 1995 E300D, think the harness cost $150. Its the glowplug harness you are looking for. Easy for this layman to do in about 2-3 hours, you have to remove the intake manifold so take that opportunity to clean both it and the intakes.

To clean the intakes I rotated the engine as I worked so that the valve was closed and used solvent (biodiesel) and a 1" plastic plumbing brush and then vacuumed each one out. Then move to the next one and repeat. It is inevitable that a little soot will get through so when you start it up again it will smoke for a little bit- just take it on the highway and open it up.

While you're under there you may consider disabling the EGR for better performance, as long as your state does not have diesel emissions

Great car! My first MB and first diesel.

 

best one is the 1994-1995 E320 (not to mention the inaccessible ones lol)

 

Out of curiosity (and lust), is the 500E stretched or wider than say a 300E?

Kevin

 

My old 89 300E was pretty damn fast im not going to lie. Whenever i floor it on the highway it will take off. Sigh how i miss it.

 

Flared fenders make it an inch wider than a stock 300E.
The stock suspension on a 500E is lowered an inch too. The wheels fill the wheelwells better, as a result.
Stock 500E rims are 16" not 15" like the 300E. Rims are wider at 8".
(Like many others, I run 18"x8.5J wheels on front, and 18"x10J, dished wheels in back, to accommodate larger brakes).

This combination makes it appear to be larger and lower.

The front and rear bumpers stretch out to meet the flared fender arches.
Other than that, the body is stock 300E, not stretched.

These cars are hand-assembled at the Porsche factory, and there is more wax used, inside the body panels, to prevent corrosion.

 

Did some years have issues with hydraulic suspension?

 

Nahhhh I agree with Chappy

88-89 300 CE Coupe !!!!!!!!

300 CE - There is No Substitute !!!!!!!

And just take a look at what they CAN be made to look like......



Now is that HOT or what ?

And mine IMO is luke warm too !!


Cheers

 

Rarest of the lot Gents........

Out of the Factory that is.

 

Is that an E36 convertible? Damn!

 

Why 88-89? Wasn't the 300CE available all the way through 93?

 

Yeah Ray you are right there !

Any specific years is more subjective opinion than anything though if I can borrow from the text of History of the C124...
"...Model refinement packages keep the Coupé up to date

In September 1989 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show Mercedes-Benz showed a revised intermediate class model range, including Coupés. In the Saloons and the Estate the refinements focussed on changes to the styling of the body and the redesign of the interior, while on the outside the Coupés presented themselves practically unchanged since they had been equipped from the start of their production with the side rub strips which were the most conspicuous feature of the facelifted 124 series models, and in a way served as model for the revamp of the other body variants...."

Of course in late 1989 they changed the engine to the 24 Valve type which whilst it gave more grunt also introduced some issues with valve guides which the 12V doesn't seem to suffer with anywhere near as much.

My opinion is based on having spoken to at least half a dozen people in the auto industry porior to buying Fritz (my 300CE). Basically the consensus was that 88-89 was the last time MB engineers were given the green light to go ahead and build a "masterpiece - solid, long lived and beautiful". They achieved that wonderfully well IMO. They made a car that was designed to last and last and the fact that we have so many daily conversations in the W124 forum about the E Class is testament to the engineering.
Coupe owners are a special mob, often sacrificing the ease for passengers for the thrill of the Coupe design. Look at some of the pictures and see how lovingly they have been restored or enhanced. My 23 year old car offers only a few noises when driving down the road. And you know what the main noise is ? It's the leather bending and moving as I pass over a bump. The other noise is the slightly deepend exhaust note. No door noises, no rattles, no bangs - silence !!!!! 23 years old - how many car manufacturer's can claim that their vehicle after 23 years and 214,000 kms would go as well and as silently as the day it came off the production line ? Very damn few !

Sorry, I will climb down off my pulpit !! Hahahahaha

So 88-89 was the first of the '300' Coupes, had the 12 Valve engine which was solid , steady and was the forerunner of the beautiful CE coupes to come.

Sorry I need to dab my eye's - I must have some dust in them.

 

Get some Krytox onto that leather!