W124s sure are nice driving cars. I'd like to have one again.

Yep.

I'm very pleased with my 300D. Years ago the 124 was on the bottom of my list of preferred MB cars. I thought the headlights were too slanted back (coming from a 126 perspective) and I thought the triangular taillights were wrong. So I bought a w201 instead.

That was 7 years ago. The 201 has an all new suspension and steering system. (Let me tell you, new steering box....makes a SUBSTANTIAL difference in the driver's perception of the car)

I got hired in Cleveland in summer 2012 and planned on commuting (1h10m) rather than moving and a higher mpg car was in order..it was either a 190D or a 300D.

I'm glad I went with the w124 platform. Very comfortable ride, the larger interior is welcome and like most MB's of the era its relatively straight forward to work on. A bit easier than my 201.

Tom I think you'll be happy with your "new" 124.

I'll second JamesDean.

The only part about driving my 95 E300 I miss is the grunt I was used to from our departed 87 300TD.

The 95 E300 is more like a W123 240D if you step away lightly from a stop and allow an upshift at 2K rpm.
But.... rev her up and the power appears, quite brisk if you allow the revs to climb.

The 95 is much nicer than the 87, having all the updates made over the years, and I'm getting the best mileage figures in this car of any MB diesel I've owned.

Jim

good to hear!

I took a good look at the glowplugs this morning.....I should say took a good look FOR the glowplugs. Apparently you have to remove the lovely intake runners (impressively long) to even look at them. I hope they are in good shape. I suppose its easier to remove than it looks. Once off though I imagine you would change all of them and a few other things for good measure....I don't know what but I imagine I will learn fast enough.

Anybody have insight into fixing the sunroof floppiness?

Hmmm I am curious..What upgrades could I transfer/add-on to my 91 300D?

What kind of MPG are you seeing in your 95?

Here is mine:
http://i.imgur.com/4yXg5oV.png

Floppiness? In the lining? or the metal panel? or? I know my 300D's tilt function does not work...is likely broken lift arms (like $90/each)

The metal panel. It seems to be able to move up and down at all four corners without any control. I had trouble getting it to stay in a position that did not make noise on the highway and from the outside I found I could push any corner up or down about a quarter inch at will. It wouldn't be so bad but it won't stay in any one position once you are whizzing down the highway.;) ...and I definitely want to whiz down the highway in it.;)

I just noticed the lift arm comment. Does it address the front and back of the sunroof? Also the little deflector didn't want to retract when closing it. Are they hard to install?

What repair manual is recommended for the 124?

Im not sure if its linked to the lift arms. I've never torn apart a sunroof....yet..

Here are the links to your W124 service manual. From MB!
Mercedes-Benz Model 124 Service Manual Library
Mercedes-Benz Model 124 Service Manual Library

The 1990 update included many of the attributes the 87 wagon lacked.

For 1994, the front and rear of the car changed, cosmetic, sure, but I like the look.....

Radio/subwoofer and speaker system is much nicer in the late cars.
Leather wheel is standard, nicer feel, and smaller in diameter.
R/H airbag
Covered consolette
Split center armrest with storage.
Eight hole wheels
Lined trunk/trunk lid


Note: the 94/95 has significant changes in the wiring harness and connectors, many things do not interchange with the earlier cars.....

Mileage?

Over the last 10k miles, the worst has been 31, best was 34.5.
The 87 TD was 24 - 29

Jim

Before you place a socket on the glow plugs, do some extensive reading.

Hint...these are not your old W123 glow plugs......

Jim

Thanks for the warning. I have noted various comments and threads here about it and will not touch anything until I am prepared. I understand a lot of damage can be easily done in a couple of heartbeats.;)

The front doors have great resistance the last 2". If I close them at normal Mercedes door closing force they bounce back without latching. I have to really slam them to get them to latch. They feel hinge bound.

Are there hinge shims, possibly, that someone has removed?

Check the door check straps.