E300 differences
 

Can anyone point me to a link where I can compare the differences in the E class models by year? I am considering buy a 300E but want to find some info so that I can compare the make by year.

Thanks
A

I can't tell you all the differences, and frankly... you really don't need to know.

The newest are the best. get a 99 if you can afford it. (heck... get a CDI if you can afford it)

The turbos' are nicer. The NA cars are acceptable. That is all you really need to know.

This should get you started with some basics.

http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html

From reading on there, it looks like all the 300E models were 124 chassis, with three different engines depending on year.

Know nothing about the 300E's.

E300's were as follows:
95 = W124 with NA606.910 and 4spd trans.
96/97 = W210 with NA606.912. 4spd in 96 and 5spd in 97.
98/99 = W210 with turbo 606.962 and 5spd trans.

98 had front curtain head bags.
99 got front AND rear curtain head bags.
Both had side door bags in front.

1999 E300's differed from their 1998 Counterparts with the following updates:

1. 1999 E300's had the LED Third Brake Light
2. 1999 E300's had a different stereo system with Fiber Optic Capabality
3. 1999 E300's had the Tow Away Button
4. 1998 E300's had the option of Parktronic which was not available on the 1999 models.
5. On the 1999's I believe Leather inserts were standard.

info
 

Thanks for the replies gents. I guess what I want to know is 1 year better than another? Do they all have the same IP? Does one model have more injector or GP issues than another. Do they all have the same head? Information so that I can determine if one handles biodiesel better than another. My 300SDL runs like a champ on Bio and I want to get the wife a newer model if possible.

Thanks again,
A

They all use the 606. If your getting a W210 IMHO the 1998-99's are the ones to get because you get a turbo, and 5sp trans.

No inj or pump issues on the 606; all models have seized GP issues. My guess is that might be worse with bio than D2 because of diff combustion characteristics.

All of them run fine on B99 albeit with 10% less mpg's on my turbo. May want to go to viton orings after the OEM buna's start leaking. Easy DIY for most of us.

temps
 

TMAllison,
Did you do any mods to your 99? What are your average temps in N. Cali?
I am guessing I get a bit colder here in VA unless you live in the higher elevations. I just do not want to destroy the IP.
Thanks
A

I live in the Bay Area. Hot summers and mild winters.

No mods on mine. 31mpg on D2 and 28 on B99.

The only alternative fuel I burn in mine is commercially prepared B99. No homebrew, no SVO/WVO. No problems others than developing some leaky orings early on.

Had a 96 E300D, drove it about 230K with no problems at all. Compared to the 92 2.5T, 87 300D T, 82 300D T, it was a great car. I had no engine problems, the reason I got rid of it was the stupid iginition lock-out had to take to dealer and they had a nice 99 E300 that I traded for. The lack of a turbo was not bad, and not near the problems with the trap oxidizer on the 87.
Ron

My '97 loves the WVO/RUG blend, and a very occasional cubie of homebrew BD. Hasn't seen pump diesel in the last 21,000 miles. 80F summers, single digit winters. 28mpg

Moorwr,
Since you had a 96. How did it compare in speed with the 99?
A

I drove a 96 when I was first looking for a W210. Had owned a turbo W123 and a W124 prior to that.

The test drive was in a hilly residential area. Could have walked to the top of the hill faster. That was the end of the test drive for me.

The W210 turbos from 98/99 have lots of pickup when kicked down and spooled up.

The NA 606 is pretty gutless at low RPM. If you let it spin, it's pretty good, but that's hard to do with an automatic -- it cries out for a manual transmission but it was never offered with one, alas. My wife is quite happy with the '96 so we keep it.