E300 differences - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aquaman0001 · #1 08-23-2008, 09:50 PM

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

jnc19610 · #2 08-23-2008, 10:23 PM

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.

Skippy · #3 08-23-2008, 10:24 PM

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.

TMAllison · #4 08-24-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaman0001

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

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.

husk · #5 08-24-2008, 02:41 PM

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.

aquaman0001 · #6 08-24-2008, 03:54 PM

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

Hatterasguy · #7 08-24-2008, 04:59 PM

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.

TMAllison · #8 08-24-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaman0001

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

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.

aquaman0001 · #9 08-25-2008, 07:35 AM

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

aquaman0001 · #10 10-01-2008, 08:14 PM

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

TMAllison · #11 10-01-2008, 11:42 PM

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.

Jeremy5848 · #12 10-02-2008, 01:30 AM

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.

KarTek · #13 10-02-2008, 06:44 AM

My friend had a '97 NA car and I always felt like I really had to flog it to get some acceleration out of it though, it seemed adequate at the time.

Comparitively speaking, the power in my '98 comes on with a vengence though it takes a second or two to light up when accelerating briskly from a standstill. This is annoying to me but not to others I have read here. If you use a "half push" followed by a full push of the throttle, it's pretty good.