I am thinking I want to stress thinking, about getting a W124 E420/400E.
Now to me they seem like a good combo I like the 1994-95 body the best these are the last years of the W124 so all of the bugs should be out of them. Also the M119 I hear is an awsome engine and it to had been around for a few years by the mid 90's. What kind of fuel mileage do they get? Also what do they cost to keep going? I do all of my own work so maintaince is the cost of parts to me. I just keep seeing nice sounding ones for sale in the $7k-$9k range with under 150k, most seem to be around 100k so this seems like a pretty decent buy to me. New enough not to need tons of work but old enough to be affordable! (for me at least)

What goes bad on these outside of the usual wear items? I know the M104? I6 had bad head gaskets. Also what model Merc's had the bad wireing harness that biodegrades?

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Very good cars - I've three of them and they were all good. They have the ususal 119 problem stuff - wiring harness, oil tubes, engine actuator - but no head gasket problems. Two sets of caps and rotors at about $200 every 60k or so. But you never hear about anyone needing a valve job - which is a good thing with 32 of everything. They're all good - the 94/95s have the newer look but some people prefer the older look. In the 92 versus 93 contest I think go for a 93 - better gas mileage. For some reason the EPA rating on the 92 was 16/21 while 93 to 95 was 18/24. They retuned it slightly in 93 - HP went from 268 in 92, to 275 in 93 to 95 - not a big deal but the gas mileage seems to be consistent with the EPA rating - about 10% better in 93 to 95.

If you don't mind about how much does all that stuff cost? I'm just trying to feel this model out.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I think wiring harnesses are about $400 to $500, parts only, and ETA are about $800 to $1,000. I've not had to do oil tubes but there is a wealth of information in the archives on this. The 124/119 combination just has a good feel to it. It's not necessary a fast car but it does everything effortlessly. I think the rear axle ratio is something like 2.25 versus 3.07 on a 3.2 (I'm making up these numbers but I'm sure someone can correct them.)

SteveB says that just because M119 caps and rotors look worn is not necessarily a reason to replace them. If you saw the ones I replaced in the S420, you'd swear the car had never seen a tune-up. No noticeable improvement in performance when I installed new caps and rotors. Be ready for a $400 set of plug wires.

SteveB and MBDoc both say that if there's sludge under the valve cover of an M119, walk away.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Of course I'm (happily)biased but for a bit more money why not go for the 500E/E500? They are pretty reasonable to pick up now and will might be worth something more down the road. Not that a nice 400E/E420 wouldn't be either...but the 500E is destined to become a collectors item.

First off, they ain't cheap to maintain, especially at this age. Shame on anyone who says differently. Mileage is a moot point IMO but regardless of it, LOTSA stuff will need to be attended to and will certainly tax yer wallet and patience. I know cars with 50K on them needing $$ and my 144K car also needed continued $$ to get it and keep it right. Really, what 10+ year old car doesn't? But the M119 is a great motor when happy and in my car I get as low as 12 mpg hammering it around town up to 22 mpg cruising the highway at 80 mph. The chassis speaks for itself...solid in any version. We knows this already...

I don't think you could go wrong with any W124 with the V8 in it. Just have a few grand set aside for 'incidentals' ...is all I'm really saying.

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Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad

I have a 1995 E420 and love the car. MY last car was a 1988 BMW 735i 5-speed (a VERY rare car in the u.s.a.), and I like the Mercedes better.

The engine feels like a turbine - smooth and effortless acceleration. The gearing is a bit too shallow (2.24 rear end), but I'm planning to fit a 400SE rear differential to correct this (2.65 ratio).

I had to replace the evaporator 3 months after I bought the car ($2100), but other than a few small items like the aux. fan resistor, stop light switch, and now the antenna, no major problems.

I get about 20MPG in crappy Wash. DC bumper-to-bumper traffic (1-1/4 hours for my 24 mile commute), and about 25 on the highway.

I'm surprised how well the car is holding up as it approaches 10 years old. The quality of the interior materials is apparent - it looks new.

If you can get a good specimen for $8-9K, figure $1K for the differential conversion, you'll have a reliable rocket for around $10K. Figure $1.5K per year for maintenance (any 10 year old car worth driving should run about this).

Hope this helps,
Troy K.
1995 E420 85k

Hatterasguy,
With respect due to the 420 owners, with the consideration of economics, a tenacious search may find you a nice '94-'95 E320 with half (thats half) the mileage for the same price. While I'd love to have a 420 and the incremental takeoff power and speed, I can't justify the additional premium (price-to-mileage) that the market suggests. I think that the power of my M104 is more than satisfactory. You can take mine for a spin and judge for yourself.

Regards,
Geoff

Good points, Jim no 500E not at all! I will be driving this car to school 4 times a week and in the winter to. I'm not going to ruin it but I don't want to put something almost collectable threw that. Besides real nice 500E's seem to be in the low $20k range way above my budget. But I can still dream!

104.992 thats also a very good point I have not ruled out the E320 also, I liked your car their was some room under the hood. I know with the M119 it isn't going to be to easy to work on.

$1,500 a year is about right thats what I was expecting to pay for maintaince.

The W210's still seem pricey but the late W124's seem like a bargin.

Now I just need to decide if I really want one more then my W126, I'm not sure I have to think about it.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Let's see.. ever since I've had mine I've had to do:

Evaporator *ouch* (recently - lots of $$$)

Wiring Harness ($900 parts and labor)

Front Brake Pads (but then again... its brakes are really good and it accelerates quickly, maybe if I drive slow it wouldn't have needed new pads up front)

Motor mounts ($300?) dont know why I had them replaced when they were still good.

Crankshaft Position Sensor (car was cranking for long periods of time)

Starter Motor (odd one, nobody ever heard of a starter motor failing on a 119 engine)

that's it... under my ownership. The previous owner spent thousands of $$ though (i have all the receipt) in maintenance, regular detailing, tires, etc. - so the car was very well maintained.

other than that.. just lots of detailing
looks as sharp as ever http://209.150.52.134:2000/e420/

Why I like the E420 (let's not put the 500 in the picture )

The motor just sounds amazing and it's very smooth. I'd say the E320 is not much slower but they are only $1000 cheaper at most.

When I was buying my 124 - I knew that I wanted either a V8 or that I-6 Diesel (E300). The coupe E320 being an exception.

I think the best thing is to buy one that has had its evaporator replaced because everything else isn't so bad.

regarding fuel mileage, mine constantly returns 15-17mpg (90% city driving)

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Holson Adi your E420 is so nice! The engine looks like new! I guess it doesn't see much salt! I will have to remember to check to see if the evap has been done.

If you ever think about selling it shoot me a PM.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I don't think there is anything wrong with getting an E320 but don't do it because you think it's cheaper to operate. Gas mileage is at best 1 mpg better and maintenance seems to be about the same. When you factor in the additional cost of the periodic head gaskets on the 104 motor the 119 might actually be cheaper to maintain. And I don't see much difference in market values - if the 420s are higher in price it's negligible. With the additional cylinders and lower rear axle ratio it seems to me very likely the 119 motor is going to have a longer life.

M104 head gasket replacement is probably offset by M119 timing chain replacement.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Changing the timing belt at 100K is a myth on the M119....they should easily go 150-200K. As for the plastic guide rails and tensioner...that's a different (and much cheaper) story.

If you plan on driving thru the winter (not that you get much on the coast of CT) then you might not want the V8 W124. I drove mine one winter and am lucky to come out OK !! Tail end gets too happy...I'd imagine the 400E/E420 would also be tail happy in such weather.

Ken Marino up in Durham, CT has a very nice dark green/tan 95' E320 sport w/80K on it...its worth a look.

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Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad

Deanyel,
Haven't scanned the marketplace in depth on E420s and much as the E320s (to obsession). I know that sub-100Kmi E320 coupes can be had for around $10K and sedans for under $9K. So, what can one expect to pay for a sub-100Kmi E420?

Regards,

Geoff