I have a '93 300E 3.2, have driven a '96 W210 E320, and have driven many 300E's.

My engine is whisper quiet. There is no induction noise to speak of. Just a beautifully sounding, swiss-watch-like mechanical, precision sound when I wind the car up to the red-line. My motor mounts were replaced 3-4 years ago, and my idle is ultra-smooth. There is barely a hint that the car is even idleing.

My experience in the W210 was that the engine note was even quieter.

The M103 300E's I have driven have been good and bad. I have been in a later model 300E, a 1991 300E, and the engine was quiet and smooth, with a gradual power delivery, lacking the kick that the M104 has at the top end.

I have driven an early model 1988 300E, and the idle was lopey, like it had a hot cam. I was told by the owner, Larry Bible, that the early M103's had hotter cams.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".