I'm currently own 260E(or 300E 2.6) and my brother has 300E. Talking about power, there is a noticable difference in low-end rpm. 300E pulls harder while 260E has to wait until 3500rpm to feel the power. When hauling 5 people or going uphill, 300E is a better car. However, 260E can cruise at high speed like 300E and accelleration at above 4000rpm isn't much less powerful.

Anyway, both M103series are tough and reliable. My 260E has been serving in my family for 13years and 12years for my bro' 300E.

Here is a conclusion, if you don't drive really hard or towing something heavy, 260E probably fits. Its power and speed is enough to get yourself a ticket for overspeeding and apart from lower torque and horsepower, the engine looks and sounds the same to 300E(since it's a 300E with smaller bore)

But if you need more torque right at the moment you want, 300E is the answer. Especially if the price between these two models come so close, you may want 300E.

Choose the one with least mechanical problem and best body/interior condition.

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V.Putin
89'W124 260E(Blueblack)
92'Nissan 1600NX

I think the 260E uses a smaller transmission, though. Very similar to the 190E 2.3, and exactly the same as the 190E 2.6. I don't think it is as tough as the 300E's transmission.

As far as the M104's. They have very good low end power. But the 2-valver keeps up a pretty good pace with the 4-valver on the highway.

Oh yeah, and with DOHC they tend to leak, often.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

The 2.6 and 3.0 liter engines in the 300E sedans are M103 engines and have 2 valves per cylinder (SOHC).

The early M104 engine was a 3.0 liter engine and was used in the U.S. only in 1990-1992 300CE's. It had 4 valves per cylinder (DOHC).

The M104 engine that was used from 1993-1995 in W124 300E 2.8 and 3.2 / E320's, 1996-1997 E320's, and 1992-1999 S320's was a 3.2 liter engine and also had 4 valves per cylinder. This engine differed from the early M104 engine in that it was bigger in displacement (3.0 liters vs. 3.2 liters), used variable valve timing on the intake cam, and used all electronic fuel injection, whereas the earlier M104 still used the mainly mechanical CIS system.

All M104 engines, early and late, had 4 valves per cylinder.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I meant to say the M103 as the 2-valver. Sorry that I phrased my last post incorrectly, but I do know the difference between the 2-valve, and 4-valve versions.

The early M104 was also used in the 300SL (R129). The 24-valve engines were being produced along with the 12-valve engines from the years 1990 - 1992.

Mercedes kept the engines even after they introduced their current M112 V6. The expensive inline-six was used in the S320 up until 1999, and the R129 SL320 up through 1997, according to MBUSA.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

The difference is 20hp between a standard 260E(or 300E 2.6) and a standard 300E, and just 10hp between a 2.6 Sportline and a 300E(170hp vs. 180hp, in European trim). Must push hard the throttle to feel the difference. (Although, for some reason, most reviews found on the web claim all W124s with engines under 3.0 litres to be underpowered).

As for -fad's message: most of the features quoted are for standard version, the list of available options can easily give you a few good headaches

My car (1990, European model, 260E) has:

Standard:

*ABS- 4 wheel disk brakes
*plastic lower body cladding- monotone exterior color scheme
*leather covered steering wheel and leather covered transmission selector handle
*lighted/ locking front glove compartment
*driver and front passenger door access lower map pockets
*power right side rearview mirror control- tinted mirrors
*shoulder adjustable (B pillar ) front safety belts with ETRs
*rear window electric defrost
*courtesy exit time-delay interior lights
*power centralized remote door, trunk, fuel filler - - lock/unlocks with outside key close feature (windows/ sunroof)
*power steering
*monblade wiper with 4 speed options
*power automatic up/down radio antannae
*2 rear door mounted ash trays
*zebrano wood accents front and rear
*front and rear folding arm rests
*lighted front vanity/sun shades (driver & passenger)
*fold down mini sunshade above rear view mirror
*first aide kit in rear hat shelf
*locking passenger side glove compartment
*full instrument cluster: tachometer, 240km/h speedometer, coolant temp, clock, fuel level, odometer w/ trip counter, outside LCD temp display, oil pressure, full W124 array of dummy lights below cluster
*halogen headlights with integrated fog lights

Optional:

*sport front seats(code 244) (but in damn checkered cloth! )
*Becker Europa radio(code 254), but w/ standard sound (2 speakers)
*electrically adjustable curtain for rear window(should be code 296, no number is given on the code plate)
*power 2-way sliding/ pop-up steel sunroof(code 412)
*catalytic converter(code 620; this was standard anyway since 1986, but it still had the code number)
*Sportline chassis w/ 15-hole alloy wheels and 205/60-15 tires(code 650)
*factory tinted windows (all) w/ windshield factory visor tinted darker stripe(code 840)
*electric front windows(code 848)
*color-matching sheepskin covers for front seats(code ??)

Obviously North American version had a few more features in standard, as power seats, MB-Tex or leather upholstery, rear headrests, airbag and A/C. And if we dive in the innumerable options, the discussion will never end, since I've reached the conclusion that no conclusion can be reached(paradox).

~Awaiting comments

Nautilus

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1990 260E Sportline (that's 300E 2.6 for our American friends) -> sold
2001 E320 4Matic Elegance -> my Dad's daily drive
2005 Seat Leon FR 1.8T