Hey, it's me again. Sorry for the lame questions, but I'm new here and I'm trying to settle on a model. There is a local guy selling a 260E (1987), but I've mostly been looking at the 300E. What's the big difference with these cars? Is it simply displacement? Assuming the price is the same (or within about $500), what would you recommend going with?

Oh, and the guy selling the 260E says it has a rough idle "and it could be an injector or vacuum leak, but it runs fine at freeway speeds". Could this be right? How much to fix it?

Thanks,

skd

Go with the 300E. Not only will it offer more power, but in some cases more options. The 260E was a car made to compete with the smaller engined BMW 528Es and such, but really, you want a true 3.0 or later 24V 3.2 liter 300E. Its a better car, more power and has more of a following for better resale. The 260 is a good car but is limited in numbers and enthusiasm.

Hey, just wanted to say thanks for the info. I think you're right about the 260. I'll keep looking for a good, clean 300E. Thanks for the advice.

skd

Randall is right. Look for a regualr 300E or a 1993 300E or 1994-1995 E320. They all have the 3.2 liter engine.

The 260E or 300E 2.6 was the value model. The main difference was the engine, but these were sold with everything as optional, instead of virtually everything as standard equipment, like on the 300E.

__________________
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".

Great info, guys. Sounds like I'm on the right track. Now, I just got to find one (and clear it with the Mrs.).

skd

Remeber, not all 300E are true 300s... Some of them do have the 24V 3.2 mill with 210 (ish) horses... The original 3.0s had single cams and 177 horses.

So, I need to be careful I get the bigger (better) engine? Obviously the 210bhp is a nicer engine; but, how can I tell if the 300E that I'm looking at has it? Is there an engine code the owner should know? Is there a way I can look at the car or engine to verify it's the right one?

Thanks again,

skd

The 300CE coupes from 1990-1992 were the only W124 chassis to get the early M104 engine with 210 hp. It had 3.0 liters and 24 valves (DOHC).

The 1993 300E was the first year of the 217 hp 3.2 liter M104 engine. The badge was incorrect in the U.S. models. 1993 300E's with the 2.8 liter engine were badged 300E 2.8, but 1993 300E's with the 3.2 liter engine were simply labeled "300E".

Except for the U.S. market, Mercedes badged in the rest of the world the 1993 300E (3.2) and the 1994-1995 E320's as 320E's.

This 3.2 liter engine was first used in the 1993 300E (3.2), continued in this chassis in the 1994-1995 E320, and was used in the next E-class chassis in 1996-1997 E320. It was also used in the W140 S320 from 1992-1999.

__________________
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".

So, will all of the '86-90 300Es (save the 260) come with the same engine, or will some of them have different displacements?

All 1986-1992 300E's have the same 3.0 liter M103 engine. It is a great engine with a long history of reliability and durability. It is just not as powerful as the 1993-1995 3.2 liter engine. It is probably pretty close in power to the 2.8 liter M104 engine used in 1993.

1993 was the first year of the M104 engines (in the sedan).

1993 was the only year the 2.8 liter was used (300E 2.8). This is the same engine used in 1994-1997 C280's.

Other than the 300E 2.8, the only other gasoline engine offered in 1993 300E was the 3.2 liter engine.

__________________
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".

OK, Great--again, this helps. I'd love to get a '93, but it's just more money than the '86-88 models. Oh well, I'm not getting it for the speed (lol). Anyway, I'll keep looking. Thanks for such detailed responses. What are your thoughts on the Deisel 300 model v the gasser?

Regarding the 260E...

My (ancient) 260 is quite, er, satisfying. Previous posters have commented on the lack of fancy options, and less engine, which are both accurate. My car has the famous (infamous?) MBtex vinyl interior, and is no doubt a bit more pokey than the 300.

However, it still zooms up hills and cruises along the freeway at perfectly illegal speeds more comfortably than any other car I've driven (admitadly not that many, Ford Tauri, a Sarturn, a couple mini-vans, and the closest competitor a Volvo V70.)

I would say buy the best specimen you can find, no matter its running gear, be it 2.6, 2.8, 3.0, or 3.2. Excellent cosmetic and (especially) mechanical condition are going to be more valuable than a few more horses.

__________________
jeremy wood
'88 260E ~200,700 miles
- All stock, except for Blaupunkt "Miami Beach"

fyi- I have North American Version '92 300e 2.6 equipped as follows:

>2.6L (158HP) 6cyl, 4 speed autobox-23mpg/28mpg, 91 oct.
(plastic belly pan & appears to have trans. and oil cooler)
>ABS- 4 wheel disk brakes
>Plastic lower body cladding- two toned exterior color schema: Smoke Silver Metallic body/ Taupe lowers/ Parchment interior

>A/C climate control (R12) w/ air recirculation
>Cruise Control
>Leather covered steering wheel and leather covered transmission selector handle
>power 10-way adjustable front seats (no memory functions) w/ up/down power elec. headrest adjustment/ manual tilt adjustment ; rear access map pockets
>rear passenger adjustable head rests with front panel access remote release/ folding
>lighted/ locking front glove compartment
>driver and front passenger door access lower map pockets
>power right side rearview mirror control- tinted mirrors
>power 2-way sliding/ pop-up steel sunroof
>shoulder adjustable (B pillar ) front safety belts with ETRs
>all electric power windows w/ child cut-off switch
>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 (no telescoping adjustment)
>monblade wiper with 3 speed options (no headlight wiper/washers)
>premium sound (4 speakers front/ 2 in the rear hat shelf)
>puddle lights (located at the bottom of the 4 doors)
>power automatic up/down radio antannae
>2 rear door mounted ash trays
>factory tinted windows (all) w/ windshield factory visor tinted darker stripe
>zembrano wood accents front and rear
>MB-tex- w/ front and rear folding arm rests
>lighted front vanity/sun shades (driver & passenger)
>fold down mini sunshade above rear view mirror
>chrome OE 15 hole wheels- VR speed rated rubber
>driver's side airbag
>first aide kit in rear hat shelf
>locking passenger side glove compartment
>full instrument cluster: tachometer, 160mph speedometer, coolant temp, clock, fuel level, odometer w/ trip counter, outside LCD temp display, oel pressure, full W124 array of dummy lights below cluster
>halogen headlights with integrated fog lights

best regards
-fad

'92 300e 2.6
Hella Euros
Michelin MXV4 Energy Plus 205/60VR15

O.K. , not much support here for the 260E. Currently have five cars in the barn, one an '89 260E. Had it for seven or eight years now, and it's a great car. Have owned approximately thirty vehicles, and the 260E is the best (I like my '75 450SL more, but frankly, it's not as good as the 260E in most aspects). Over 150,000 miles (30,000 when I purchased) and NO problems. Paint is beautiful, interior is perfect, and it's as quiet and tight as any new car I've been in. The in-line six is smooth as silk. And, the car is built like few others. Try standing on an open door and rocking the car on most available today, and I almost guarantee you'll warp the hinges...I thought the sales rep was going to tip mine over when he did this. It really is a decent car. Will cruise effortlessly at any speed you'll drive legally or illegally, it'll just take a few more seconds to get there from stop. But then again, I shouldn't offer auto advice...I own a Land Rover Discovery ('96). You want to hear about reliability issues??

Yeah, no doubt. That Rover has got to be hard on the pocketbook. Like I said above, I've owned Hondas all my life and it's difficult to get away from the mindset that the darn things always run. I love the MBs though. My dad had an 86 300 deisel and I have fond memories of it. He died about 3 years ago and, on some subconcious level, I want to find a car like his and keep it around. Anyway, I appreciate the help.

skd