W124 300D question

[centroid1]

I'm starting to look for another car and saw some driving around that was nice. It saids 300D on the back. It looks like a W124 body as far as I can tell.

Is there a prefer year for the 300E ? I'm seeing some threads regarding the 1987 and then some saying 1995 are good years. But they look the same, are they ? Is one shorter than the other ?

I heard the 1995 can have problems with the harness and the evaporator. Other than that, is it a good car ?

[sixto]

The 124 300D was available in the US as follows:

1987 300D sedan and 300TD wagon = 6 cylinder aluminum head 2 valves per cylinder turbocharged engine

1990-1993 300D 2.5 sedan = 5 cylinder aluminum head 2 valves per cylinder turbocharged engine

1995 E300 sedan = 6 cylinder aluminum head 4 valves per cylinder naturally aspirated engine

I'm not aware that '95 is a particularly bad year for AC evaporators. If so, I expect any W124 with a factory R-134a AC system will be subject to evaporator failure as well. But my failing memory thinks it's a similar risk with any W124.

The original head casting in the '87 is subject to cracking if/when overheated. The original head is identified by a 603 016 14 01 casting number or simply '14.' Later castings; i.e., 17, 18, 20, 22, are desirable since they don't have the same propensity to develop cracks. Some early 2.5's were subject to premature timing chain failure. Replacing the timing chain and camshaft sprocket resolves the issue if caught before the timing chain breaks. The '95 is subject to the same wiring harness failures as similar vintage MBs. It seems the head gasket of the 2 valve per cylinder engines is good for 200K-250K miles, particularly the 5 cylinder engines. The 6 cylinder engines leak more and more but the 5 cylinder engines get to where there is a significant breach so as to cause billowing smoke. Replacing glow plugs in the 4 valve engine can require patience and a gentle touch.

IMO, their all good years. Get the car in the best condition you can find. Front seat heaters and ASD (rudimentary traction control) are options you might appreciate in Minneapolis and you're more likely to find later models with such options.

Sixto
87 300D

[centroid1]

Do they look pretty much the same on the outside ? Is one smaller or shorter than the other ? I guess if they are both W124 then they should be the same...

[jay_bob]

There is also the 1996 to 1999 E300s that are W210 body.

These are more advanced than the 124s. I have both a 124 and a 210.

In the for sale section of the forum there are several W210 Diesels currently available.

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by centroid1

Do they look pretty much the same on the outside ?

To the uninitiated, yes.
There are many detail changes over the years.

Roughly, 1986-1989, 1990-1993, 1994-1995 for interior and exterior changes.

In addition to the aforementioned diesels, the engine changed in 1993 to the 4 valve, dual OHC configuration. There was also a decontented version, the 260E or 300E 2.6 available with a smaller engine.

There are two V-8 models, 4.0 and 5.0 displacement, 93 and 92 to 95 respectively.

I've owned a W124 station wagon for 20 years, 13 years with an 87 300TD, and 8 and counting* with our current 95 E320. While my wife misses the diesel engine, every other aspect of the 95 is preferable to the 87. While the early cars were rather austere, the late W124s add just enough shiny jewelry and wood trim to make it a much nicer looking car.

Jim

* Yes, I know that this adds up to more than 20 years. I took me a year to get my wife to finally let go of the 300TD...

[TheAlmightySam]

Originally Posted by centroid1

Do they look pretty much the same on the outside ? Is one smaller or shorter than the other ? I guess if they are both W124 then they should be the same...

'95s got a facelift front and rear which, IMO, looks somewhat better than the earlier cars. It is, however, relatively simple to give an older car the facelifted parts if you desire.

[centroid1]

I don't know if this is my imagination but I thought I see W124 cars that I like. I quickly look at the back as they drive by. Sometimes, I see only 300D, other times, I see E300 DIESEL. This must be one of those details that's different from year to year.

[Jeremy5848]

1986-87 300D Turbo (sedan and wagon)
1990-93 300D2.5 Turbo
1995 E300 Diesel

Europe and Asia got additional models.

Look for the car with the best set of records, indicating ownership by people who care, regardless of year. Remember that any 1986 model is ten years older than any 1995 model. It's getting harder and harder to find the older 124s in decent shape as more and more are wrecked or ruined by ignorant owners and/or mechanics.

The 300D2.5 Turbo is probably under-appreciated. Kept in good condition, it is not a slug yet gets excellent fuel economy. The OM606NA engine in the 1995 E300 Diesel is also efficient; this car can be found in the hands of first or second owners, whereas the 1986-87 300D Turbo is usually on its 4th owner or thereabouts.

Jeremy

[centroid1]

I'm beginning to understand the differences and I like the look of the 1993 300D 2.5T. There might be a low miles one for sale that I'm interested in. Even if its low miles (80k), I'm assuming there would be some things that would soon need replacing.

Does the '93 also have the electrical harness issue ? AC issue ?

[sixto]

Jeremy, the SDL was offered in the US in the '86 model year but not the 124 300D/TD.

centroid1, the '93 isn't known for harness issues.

Sixto
87 300D

[centroid1]

Does anyone know about the timing chain recall for the 91-93 W124 ? Does it apply to specific W124 or specific year ?

I'm interested in the 93 300D and wonder if any of them have that recall issue.

[shertex]

Originally Posted by centroid1

Does anyone know about the timing chain recall for the 91-93 W124 ? Does it apply to specific W124 or specific year ?

I'm interested in the 93 300D and wonder if any of them have that recall issue.

Yes, the 93 300D was affected. You can tell by VIN. Here's some info from a previous thread:

The "stretched" timing chains of 1993 engines are discussed in Mercedes-Benz Technical Service Bulletin Ref 05/91 dated December 1994. The heading says it applies to engines 602 and 603 in chasses 124 and 140, cars built between July 1992 and July 1993.
The bulletin indicates that affected engines may indicate one or more of the following: unusual noise form chain area, rough running, hard starting, loss of power, increase in oil consumption.

There is a list of specific chassis numbers in the bulletin. I have a copy I downloaded from Alldata. The chassis numbers are somewhat difficult to read but appear to be as follows:
For model 124, engine 602:
from B810470 to B999999
from D000001 to D025898
from J001335 to J01979
from F231885 to F266917
In the above list, the "D" could be a "C," it is very tough to tell.

for Model 140, engine 603
from A092142 to A155557

If in doubt, I would ask your MB dealer to check the bulletin for you.

The bulletin says that the chain should be replaced if the stretch exceeds 3 degrees. In that case, the timing chain sprocket is to be inspected. If the sprocket teeth are broken or worn as shown in the bulletin figures, the camshaft sprocket and injection pump timing sprocket are to be replaced. If the stretch exceeds 10 degrees, the pistons are to be inspected for damage.

The Bulletin does not indicate the warranty aspects of this. That is, it does not say who picks up the tab.

Hope this helps!

[centroid1]

Oh yeah. I forgot about that answer. I was thinking that was for the 95 300D. Thanks for reminding me

[Jeremy5848]

Originally Posted by centroid1

Oh yeah. I forgot about that answer. I was thinking that was for the 95 300D. Thanks for reminding me

AFAIK the OM606 engines do not have timing chain issues -- at least my two don't.

Jeremy