branshew

I am in the process of selling my Lexus ES 300 and heavily considering returning to the world of MB. My dad has driven MBs for years and I am a former C Class driver ('99 C280) which I sold when my wife became pregnant to get her a Passat wagon.

I was consdering a used W124 - probably an E320 from 1994 or 1995, but I may consider an earlier 300E if the mileage is low. I prefer the earlier model Benzes when the build quality was higher. I also think the interior materials are much better and more durable than the newer MBs and I like the styling of those model years.

It's been my experience that Mercedes engines are pretty much bullet-proof if they are maintained well, but I am not sure about the other parts of the W124 since I have no real world experience with them. What should I look out for considering condition, mechanical, electrical, etc. that would be unique or relative to the W124.

Do the 320s or 300s go through ball joints or have the leaking head gasket like the inline 6 C class do? Does the 300 or 320 engine use a timing chain or belt (change interval?).

vinamg

94-95 Check for head gasket leaks, front and back (exhaust side).
Front can be tricky as a lot of times it's just the top timing cover U seal and not the head gasket.

Make sure the car had the wiring harness replaced. Check maintenance records (engine oil, trans fluid, coolant).

Some W124s have the occasional evap leak, but not as frequent as W140s. Check if the car had any AC repair.

Personally, I would stay away from M103 engines (early 300Es). M103s are bulletproof (only valve seals), but they lack power and they are not as smooth as M104s.

mhorn

Check all the major body panels. They should all have a factory sticker with the Car's VIN on it. If the car has had a panel replaced, i.e. been in a wreck, the panel will say "Replacement" instead of the VIN. Yes the M104's are more powerful and fuel efficent, but they are also more expensive to repair. I would look for a car with a good interior. I have found that with MB's, people who take care of the physical appearence of thier vehicle, also tend to take care of the mechanical aspects of the vehicle as well. You don't run across as many W124's that have been bought by people who can't really afford them as you do with S and SL cars. Good Luck.

cap'n jasper

This is a good link

tbone55

Pretty much what mhorn said....I've found that one OR two MAX, owner W124's are good buys overall. These cars weren't cheap when they were new so the owners took care of them. The second owner probably didn't get off cheap either...so they most likely took care of it as well. That's my theory and so far it's been right, atleast for me.

Tony.

Wadster

To answer your other question, these cars use a double row timing chain. Mechanics have told me that a double row chain should last well past 200K miles.

bamberger_1

Every MB comes with time chains no belts.