Saint

Hi there, can anybody tell me the difference between the 300TE and the E320....or direct me to a website that tells you such things?

The most I found out there were pictures, and they look the same. Maybe I am missing the obvious?

Thanks

cap'n jasper

The 300TE is a 3ltr 12valve inline 6 and the E320 is a 3.2ltr 24valve inline 6. The 3.2ltr has variable valve timing and a computer which controls the mixture, timing, idle speed etc. It also feeds 3 separate coils to provide the voltage to the 6 sparkplugs. The engine range was changed in 1993. At the same time the model numbers changed from 300TE to E320 to bring it in line with other MB models (eg C200, S320 etc).
There is a picture of the different engines on this thread...
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=41076
regards,
The Cap'n.

PS To confuse you a little more you should know that a 24 valve version of the 3ltr was available (at the same time as the 12 valve) from 1989 to 1993. It looks similar to the 320 engine but doesn't have variable valve timing and has a much more basic fuel injection system. I'm not 100% sure if the 300TE-24 was available in all countries, though.

Saint

So let me see if I got this....

In 1993, the 300TE became the E320, and the engine went from a 3.0 12 valve to a 3.2 24 valve? I just checked mine, and being a 1990, it should and does have the 3.0 12 valve.

The seats....the pics on that thread said that the sportline seats are different. Is it that the lines or seams are going horizontal instead of vertical?

I bought this car rather recently, the wheels are 205/55/16's. The ride is tight, you can feel the road coming through, and it corners and handles really well. I have no idea if the previous owner had modified the suspension, but it does NOT have that soft ride feel. The seams on the seats run vertical.

Also, I looked at every W124 in the pic thread, and mine is the only one with chrome fenders. They looked so good, I thought they were standard. Guess not. Was this an option at the dealer, or strictly aftermarket stuff.

Don't you think they go well with the 16" chrome wheels

ThanksThis is a pic of the car

cap'n jasper

Here in the UK the sportline option was only offered on the 24 valve model from 1989 and the US market didn't get sportlines until 1992.
A genuine sportline will have these seats. The bolsters are wider to give better support (acually the same seats as the 500E). The 205/55/16's are not standard. These are aftermarket as well.

Saint

All righty then. You have the knowledge.

Thanks so much for the answers.

The aftermarket mods were done prior to my ownership, but I do like them. The wife likes the clear corners, so that will be next.

Other than that, I have no plans on doing anything else. Just enjoying the ride as it is, is great.

The only thing that sucks from my end, being in Calif and driving a Calif car, we have the least amount of hp's working for us than anywhere else. The restrictions here are so tight, and you have a very strict biennial smog inspection, so there really is no tampering with the goods to get that power that is being so stifled.

cap'n jasper

My last car was a 300E-24 valve from 1990. Full factory sportline (those seats pictured in the above thread were mine). In the UK we didn't even have cats until 1993 so the power output was 231 bhp
Enjoy your car, but remember, when the modding bug takes a hold of you there's no cure

Saint

Don't say that...my wallet can't handle it

Chappy

Great info listed earlier....but the U.S. market didn't have the change in the badging until the 1994 model year. At the same time, MB went with an 'updated' look for the hood and the hood ornament was moved back a few inches on the hood.

Also, the 24-valve inline 6 (3.0 liter) was not available here in 1989. This motor was only available on the 300CE and 300SL from 1990-1992. Then the switch was made (on the 300CE) to 3.2 liters and in 1994, they badged the car E320.

Hope this helps