300SD or E320 which is better... - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

79Mercy · #31 04-05-2009, 03:00 PM

If I were you idea keep the SD. The E320 will give you problems you don't know how to fix. If the 300SD gives you a problem its most likely going to simple.

pawoSD · #32 04-05-2009, 04:40 PM

The 617 is way better in the city, gassers use tons of fuel in that type of driving, and they're not "faster from point A to point B"....ever heard of speed limits?

I can go just as fast through the city in my SD as I can in the gasser....and the "Seat of the pants" torque off the line from a 617 rivals many cars.....I can be to 40mph in a very short amount of time in my SD if I punch it....while getting way better MPG's than a gasser.

Aside from needing some interior TLC, that looks like a real nice SD! The E320 looks pretty nice too, but the SD will be more reliable.

babymog · #33 04-05-2009, 07:30 PM

The tag shows a FD = Fabrication Date in the 0x years (can't see the last digit) so it's definately replaced. Not an ASR car, so no worries about the electronic throttle wiring, should be pretty reliable.

It's missing a cover on the front of the engine, and what's with the dash lower cover?

It's really hard to assess a car from little-bitty photos, but the difference is 11years and 75,000miles. Sure, the 617 might be in good enough condition to make another 100,000miles, as the M104 might, but simply put the SD has more miles and more years on a classic but still complex: climate-control, windows, over-complex front suspension, brakes, interior (obvious there), starter, alternator, power steering, transmission, axles, etc., etc. None of this has ANYTHING to do with the longevity of the engine, and is more of a maintenance issue ($$) than the engine. Also, most systems on the 126 are more expensive or more complex to repair (ex: engine mounts, front suspension) and there is more regular maintenance (ex: valve adjust, more frequent oil changes).

The 124 was the last of an era, still designed/engineered/built by a company headed by an Engineer, built to be an improvement in every way over the aging 123. It is a proper Mercedes and gives nothing up to the 126 other than size and to some, style. It has better brakes, (much) better lights, better seats, better suspension, better just about everything.

I'm sorry, I know many people who love their 126s, and they are excellent cars in many ways. I also know people who love their MGBs, or XKEs, or Land Rovers, but it doesn't make them the most practical daily.

If the '95 is priced right, and in good shape, it is a good daily driver and a good value. The 126 is a good value also if you don't mind driving it as-is, but I was in a junkyard this afternoon with four gen 1 126s, all had interiors in far better condition.

I'm a diesel guy, but practical is practical. If you had to choose between a '91 SDL with a 3.0 swap in it and good interior, and the '95 E320, my opinion would be different.

BTW, if you look at the center car in my sig, it too is a '95 E320 Special Edition, Sappire Black Metallic with Orion Gray leather. Welcome to the club.

Hatterasguy · #34 04-05-2009, 10:34 PM

I'd go for it, looks like the E320 is in much better shape.

I don't know much about the W124, but I do like the M104 the later ones got. The 104 is a nice I6, about 225hp I think, screams to redline.

Mileage wise it shouldn't be so bad, my friends S320 got high teens around town so in the W124 I'd expect low 20's, which is very comparable to the old diesels.

pawoSD · #35 04-05-2009, 10:54 PM

Most systems on the W126 are not more expensive than the W124, in fact, most are cheaper IMHO. Especially vs a gasser W124. A diesel W124 might be more competitive.

Many parts on the W124 are much more expensive (struts vs. shocks)......fancy rear suspension.....all the electronics to keep the gasser going....if one of those fails...$$$$$ The diesel has none of those issues.

I do like the W124, but I did buy it expecting it to need more $$ to keep it going, and it has....

In the past 5 months I've spent about $140 on my W126.....and probably close to $900 on the W124....that was mainly because of sorting out issues....and it still has more....steering components....front struts are dead (as are the rear shocks).....it needs some stuff.

My W126 has never needed any steering components replaced, and it still drives fine. Shocks were easy and cheap to replace myself.......

I'll re-evaluate in a year or two, but I am sure the W124 has the potential to cost a lot more than a W126.

Actros617 · #36 04-05-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

It's missing a cover on the front of the engine, and what's with the dash lower cover?

We open it up to replace a relay and we need to put it back to gether, i had a post on my E320 threat there is a buch of the E320

Finally bought 1995 E320 our first gasoline benz

Srry i was busy this whole afternoon i did not have time to take more pics of my 300SD.

As for the parts, some of the W126 share parts with the W124, seriously so its really a slightly more expansive to maintain...