Found 2 at a dealer, both just over 100K, asking prices about 18K. I think both are turbos, maybe just one of them. Is the 95 300 really a 300 and not a rod-bending 350 motor. How serious is the surging problems these cars tend to have? Is the non-turbo too slow for words or would it compare favorably to an 83 300 turbo sedan? I couldn't see rust on either of these and they both come with 12 mo. warranties (I think). I would be able to test drive them. What should I look for other than the usual no shake, no pull etc. How much smoke is acceptable when trouncing the loud pedal from a dead stop? Using a stop watch, what could I expect for 0-60 times for both of these (to determine if car is running reasonably OK). Transmission, any gotchas to watch for, flaring, thunking etc. I need this car to run up to 300 to 400 K with proper maintenance. Is this doable withthis car, i.e. is it as much of a brick ....house as the 123 w/OM617 motor?
Thanks for all opinions and advise.

First of all.. way too much money!!! You could get a 98 E300 Turbodiesel with ~120k miles for that kind of money.

Otherwise they are really great cars on a great chassis.. the last year run of the W124. That engine is a reliable 24-valve inline 6 engine. A little slow off the line but will suprise you on the highway.. good fuel economy too.. but remember there is no turbo.

What would be an in-line price for this? I can at least make an offer and see what happens. I can't risk spending more than 12 large on a car I can't get to to drive. I'm doing some background checking on this dealer. Maybe for this kind of money I aught to go to an MB dealer ????

And TD, I may just take my bucks and look for an incredible 300SDL instead. Still like it better than a 95. I want the star on the radiator shell where it is meant to be, not poked through a hole in the hood :-)

I think it should be no more than $10-$12k if it's mint. These things only bring $8k or so on ebay. This may sound strange but don't worry about the dealership, worry about the car. If you are concerned and not very mechanically inclined to these cars, spend $100 and get it checked out by an MB tech. Run a carfax, see if there is any paint or body work on the car, etc. IMO, you will like the 300SDL better and for less money.

Bought my 95 four years ago with 78k on it. Maint since then was all routine except for the famous 2-3 flair which is a $10 kit.

It was running warm until I found out the aux fan relays were switched and the fuses had blown. It came from the dealer like that as a Starmark vehicle. It is not a street rod but it will go 600 miles to a tank. Once it gets up to speed in the freeway it just goes and goes.

__________________
1960 190D (college car), gone
1995 E300D, 325 k
2019 LEXUS UX 250h (spouse mobile)
2003 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.0L MB diesel, 185K
1978 GMC Classic Motor Home

I really like these E300's. I was considering a pearl black E300D from the same dealer that I bought my 420 from.

They wanted $24k for it just because it had 44k mi. on it. If it was less than 20 but had leather, heated seats, etc. (as in fully loaded) I might have seriously considered it.

Deep inside I still wish for a diesel 124

__________________
2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Found out they are asking 15,900 for it. Still a bit much. I think for that kind of money I really would rather an SDL (creampuff).