I am currently looking at a special edition 95 E320 with 36K original miles. What should I look out for as I have never owned a Benz gasser before. Are they as reliable as the 95 E300D that I had?
Thanks in advance

Wrong forum but since you posted.

The 1995 E320 would have the M104 I6. The head gaskets can go and the wireing harness breaks down. Other then that they seem to be pretty reliable.

I thought you were buying a new C230??

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I haven't made up my mind yet but I saw this E320 and my mouth started to water immensely! When it comes to cars I can never make up my mind quick enough! I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKING WHEN THE SOLD THE E300D
The reason I posted in the diesel discussion is that my diesel buddies in this forum know gassers just as well and besides, I only trust the members who frequent the diesel forum I am already missing the 124 and I just sold my car on Monday! Now I am fighting with my wife about getting another 124 since she would rather us get an accord or something. I think I will again think about getting a C230 AFTER I buy another 124.

Well if you really like the W124 and you are going to go gas why not get a 500E? If you keep the miles down and buy a good one you probably won't lose any money.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I wouldn't be able to keep the miles down as I love driving the 124 a lot. I think that the E320 would be more economical and easier to maintain than a 500E and I would have to find a 1994 500E to really consider the 500 as I like the new style grille and front end. I also have to admit that I dont like the looks of pre 94 124s. Sorry.

Finding a 500E is the hard part, they only imported a few hundred those years. And the prices or good ones reflect this.

Actually in the case of the W124 if you are comparing an E320 to an E420 the 420 would probably be cheaper to maintain. The M119 doesn't have any problems. Just rotors and distributer caps every 60k miles and thats about it.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I'm scared of gassers (too many sparks and electric items) but I can see how such a low mileage E320 could be tempting. Just be sure everything works and the car is well maintained because low mileage alone doesn't guarantee anything. I had an 87 300D before and I didn't like the headlights either so I swapped them for Euros. Much nicer!

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

What should I look out for and what questions should I ask?

Gasser? I hate spark plugs and the fuel they burn stinks.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

Three years ago I purchased a 1995 W124 wagon with 43K on the clock, a southern california car. Very little problem with it. Now have around 69K on it.

Here's a summary of the major/minor stuff I've had done to it:

- clean out clogged EGR tube (common problem that trips check engine light)
- repair broken vacuum line to switchover valve (30 minutes labor)
- replaced front transmission pump seal (was leaking)
- 60K service
- replace 02 sensor
- replace front sway bar mounts
- replace idle pulley at front of engine ($300 for part, 1 hr labor)
- 45K service
- four wheel alignment
- replace vac element in driver's door
- tighten connectors at vacuum pump under rear seat
- new tires at 67K

- NEEDS: new vacuum upshift delay valve on transmission, but not critical.

Overall, very reliable car. The 104 engine runs, idles and pulls as smooth as any engine I've seen. Been very happy with the car overall.

Cheers,
Gerry