Hello,

Starting to looking for a w124 (s124?) wagon. I realize these are very general questions but:

1) Were there a wide variety of engine options for the US market (unfortunately, I've learned VERY few diesels were offered)?

2) Any engines to be avoided?

3) Any transmissions to be avoided?

Thanks.

 

Personal preference= the M104, and the facelift versions, 94-95.
Not a wide variety of engines...and diesel engine only offered in 87, it is rare, very hard to find...

My 94 and 95 in my current sig:

 

There were seven petrol engines and three diesel engines offered here in the States for the W124. Not concurrently. Only two of those engines made it into the wagon, the 3.0 M103 and the 3.2 M1044.

3 diesels were offered. Only one made it into the wagon. In 87 the OM603 turbo.

 

More power with the later M104, but make sure you check the headgaskets for leaks on both M103 and M104

Many wagons came with the 4matic awd.
Many people love it, but there were two versions and one is more problematic than the other, I've heard.
I'm sure others on hear can tell you more.
In Canada, they're very popular and friends tell me that it is easy to disconnect the front drive should a problem arise.