I am considering buying two cars, both very close in price, but I wasn't sure which the better buy would be. There is a 1992 300e 4matic with 130,000 miles on it, or I could get a 1993 400e with 160,000 miles on it. Both cars are in excellent condition.

I heard the 4matics cost more to repair, but I also heard the 400e can have issues with the v8 engine.

Could some of you guys out there give me some insight and maybe tell me what to look for in each car before making the purchase?

Thanks in advance to those who respond.

Do you have more opportunity to enjoy AWD or 275hp? M119s have a pretty good reliability history even against such giants as the M103 and M116/7. There are peripheral problems with the wiring harness and sometimes the plastic cam oil squirters break but there's plenty of warning and there's lots written about repairs.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Where are you located? If you have snow for a few months out of the year the 4matic would probably be the better choice. That said, I would probably opt for the 400e even though I live in MN. Theres no subsitute for the extra HP fun factor

I live in Virginia and go to Virginia Tech. While it snows a few times in the winter, I don't think the AWD is really worth it. The 400e has traction control, does anyone know how that compares to AWD and how useful the traction control really is?

I have been looking into the engine issues, and as you said sixto, I've mainly heard about the wiring harness. Are there preventitive steps I can take to avoid these common problems with the 400e?

Cool. I go to UVA. Go with the 400E definitely and change the rear differential to 2.82. Also put 225/18/35 or some such combination all the way around because the standard tire width is absurd. You will need to pay attention to offset. You will notice a huge handling and ride improvement with the wider tires. There is no question. It is faster, smoother, torque out to wazoo, and the interior is nicer. You will be able to beat or hang with most mustangs/camaros. In cold weather 0-60 is high 5 seconds and 1/4 is even better. I had one and loved it. No problems except I replaced the wiring harness at around 180K. See if they have already replaced it. If not then plan on it sometime in the next 20K-40K. It will probably be around $900 to $1200 parts and labor. The M119 is more reliable than the I6 engines. It doesn't have the head gasket problems. The inline sixes have the same wiring harness issues although maybe not as often because I imagine the heat is not as bad because there is more air in the engine bay but the wiring harness is actually more expensive on the 3.0L/3.2L I6. 4MATIC is awesome but good snow tires on the 400E is enough for around here. Especially if you can just walk to campus or take the bus. I think ASR is worthless.

Unless you can stop time wiring harness problems are inevitable. The problem stems from harness insualtion which degrades and leaves the wires susceptible to the ravages of heat. Some are lucky and never experience problems.

Check the archives for advice on the valvetrain. Some folks replace the squirters for good measure, some wait for a lifter to make noise. Some engines came with metal squirters that don't go bad. Maybe it's newer engines that came with plastic squirters that can crack. It's in the archives.

I remember someone saying to pass on any M119 with sludge in the valve cover. I forget the cause and why the consequences are irreversible.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL