Anyone had direct experience with this in a W124 , comments good, bad? thanks . Dan

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It's always something simple
91 300D 603.960 (from japan) 194K
92 Toyota Diesel Landcruiser HDJ81-t 116K
02 Golf TDI new head courtesy of PO
87 300D
97 BMW 525 TDS Wagon 5spd
bunch of Onan and other diesel generators

Early 4-matics were known to be problematic. some dealers could not even fix a few. I think they worked the bugs out in the late 90's.

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1987 300TD Turbo 5-spd
1991 350 SD Turbo (Frankenstein 603.970 crank, rods and head on a .50 bored 603.963 block )
1982 300D euro 617.951, 4-spd
2003 E500

2000 GMC C2500 6.5 TD (Double ott, ex DOT truck)
1980 Scout Traveller SD33T (Resting!)
1997 GMC K2500 Burban 6.5 TD (mid engine rebuild)

Some people seem to think they're cantankerous, but other seem to think they are ok with proper maintenance.

The man selling the 300SDL I went to look at for Daw Too, then purchased by Kurt from Seattle, had just bought a new (to him) gorgeous early 90's 300E 4Matic. We didn't talk about it much, but he said they aren't too troublesome if you maintain them, and the reports I've heard are overblown. He seemed to think he had found a real gem.

Nearly half the Mercedes Sedans/Wagons in my town are 4 matics, but most are on the newer cars.

I'd like to know what the problems are. I think the 124 wagon is the best looking wagon of the bunch.

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1979 240D, 4spd manual, Power Sunroof, manual windows, 147k miles, Pastel gray/Black MB Tex.
1991 300D 2.5 - Smokes like it's on Crack!

A few years ago, I saw a complete 6-cylinder engine & 4-matic transaxle unit crated-up outside the parts dept at my local Mercedes dealer. It obviously came out of someone's car.
No idea if it was being shipped back for a warranty claim, or why both engine & transaxle needed to be replaced as a unit, exept that the differential seemed to be built into the oil-pan.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

The differential does indeed go through the engine oil pan....sounds like something I would not want.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Well now, the differential doesn't go through the pan. It, (the diff) is in the pan and the axle shafts have to come through the pan

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

My '91 300TE 4matic was a great car, but the 4matic system was far short of great. Its slippery-road performance would be okay compared to a FWD car or one of the many other reactive-AWD systems, but compared to a real permanently-engaged AWD vehicle like the quattro, it's a poor substitute. Too bad, the T124 is an excellent chassis with an excellent engine. I sold the car in '96 and went back to the quattro.

The "problematic" was built by Styre-Puch, and is a very robust system in many ways, with yaw-sensors, steering-rate sensors, 4-channel ABS, locking diff clutches, very complex and packaged nicely in a stock-height car. The later 4matic system is also IMO second-rate compared to a quattro as it too is reactive (you have to lose traction for it to react, too late in many instances).

The problems that I was fortunate enough to experience, twice, other than its dismal performance, were seal related. The transfer-case can leak externally, and/or internally. Externally it is messy and embarrassing, internally it can damage the transfer case as the hydraulic fluid will mix with the hypoid fluid. The re-seal cost me $3500 in '94 IIRC. At that point it was worth the repairs as it was ~74,600 new (loaded) before sales tax and luxury tax.

Other problems that I did not experience involve the electronics that control the hydraulic lockups, either of these failures can cost more than these cars are worth on today's market.

Not worth buying one in good condition, not worth taking one for free that has problems.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Is there one for sale near by?... I am always interested in parts...
J.
ps I can tell you am I still keeping mine because I had a great winter in it last year, but it is a bit of work.

i'm looking at importing something from Germany & would like something interesting and practical. Cheers Dan

__________________
It's always something simple
91 300D 603.960 (from japan) 194K
92 Toyota Diesel Landcruiser HDJ81-t 116K
02 Golf TDI new head courtesy of PO
87 300D
97 BMW 525 TDS Wagon 5spd
bunch of Onan and other diesel generators

I've got one. I also have two extra transfer cases I picked up at a Pick & Pull yard (for $65 each). My runs fine now, but it does take some know how to keep it that way. I got the 4matic service manual off e-bay and that helps bunches.

My recommendation is that if you don't (1) have the know how and capability to repair the many components of the system and a relatively cheap source of parts, or (2) have a lot of money you are willing to spend on someone else servicing it for you, you should avoid getting one.

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http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...aman/Fleet.jpg

Peach Parts W124.128 User Group.

80 280SL
85 300SD
87 300TD
92 300D 2.5 Turbo
92 300TE 4Matic

Pwogman, I will buy your third extra transfer case...