1993 Mercedes 300E - trouble areas? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

86560SEL · #1 12-19-2004, 09:15 PM

I could not find anything on the "search" feature on this model, so I guess I will post a new topic. Does anyone here own or have ever owned a 1993 Mercedes 300E 2.8 ? The local lot I bought my Lexus from last year has a very nice 1993 300E 2.8 for $4995. It has 171K, but looks like new inside and out. It is dark green metallic with tan leather. I am very unfamiliar with this model, so looking for any advice/information concerning this model.

I have heard of a major electrical system problem on the 94 300E model, so I am also wondering what exactly this issue is and if it also affects the 93s.

Again, thanks in advance!

dtf · #2 12-19-2004, 09:57 PM

I'm no expert but I don't think MB sold 300E 2.8L versions in the US in 1993. I think the sedans all had the 3.2L inline 6. Is it a Euro car?

86560SEL · #3 12-19-2004, 11:24 PM

Thanks for the reply. As far as I know it is a USA model. I went to MSN autos as well as Consumer reports and both mention that 1993 was the first year for the 2.8L in the 300E. I have also read on those sites that the 1993 is a much better car, because it keeps mentioning head gasket failures on the 1992 and older models. So I am guessing that the 2.8L is the good engine? It actually gives the 93 300E 2.8L a 5 out of 5 reliability rating and all of the consumer ratings of this year was good. I would like to hear a little more about this car. I have also went to their website and discovered that they claim that the car has ALL books and service records.

Here is a photo of the car from their ad. It says $5995, but they have reduced their cars $1000.

Thanks again.

suginami · #4 12-19-2004, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtf

I'm no expert but I don't think MB sold 300E 2.8L versions in the US in 1993. I think the sedans all had the 3.2L inline 6. Is it a Euro car?

Mercedes did sell a 300E 2.8. It was available for only one year - 1993.

All 1993 300E's badged as 300E's should've been badged as either a 300E 3.2 or 320E. The badging error was fixed the next year in 1994, when they changed the badge to E320.

86560SEL · #5 12-20-2004, 12:36 AM

Thanks. That is discouraging news about the headgaskets also a problem on the 1993 models, but it is good to know in advance.

I did notice that in addition to the "300E" badge on the trunk hood, that is also had a "2.8" on the other side.

Thanks again.

jcyuhn · #6 12-20-2004, 11:59 AM

MB sold two versions of the mis-named 300E in 1993. The 2.8 liter version - really an E280, and the 3.2 liter version - really an E320. I recall seeing the sales figures a while back and the 2.8 liter had about 80% of the volume, the 3.2 liter the remainder. I have a 2.8 liter model my wife has been driving for about two years now.

The 2.8 liter engine is from the m104 family. Do a search on m104 and you'll have plenty of reading for the holidays.

Most of the 2.8 liter cars have MB-tex upholstery, not leather. If it's clean, free of cracks and wear spots, it's probably tex. That's not a bad thing, tex is indestructable.

The real problem areas have been listed earlier in this thread. If you can get service records to verify some or all of these have been addressed it is a big plus.

A few things to examine. Drive the car in city traffic. Watch the coolant temperature - it shouldn't venture above 90, at the most. If it does, you've got some kind of issue. Pay attention to the engine idle, especially stopped in gear. It should be perfectly smooth. If it vibrates or the tach fluctuates up and down the engine needs some (possibly expensive) attention.

Switch on the a/c and verify the compressor engages. You won't be able to test how well it works this time of year, but at least insure the system is charged and the compressor operates.

Other than that, drive it and see how it feels. They're nice little sedans. I find it a bit underpowered in summer (when running the a/c) but it's my spouse's favorite car she's ever had.

- JimY

Duke2.6 · #7 12-20-2004, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcyuhn

Switch on the a/c and verify the compressor engages. You won't be able to test how well it works this time of year, but at least insure the system is charged and the compressor operates.
- JimY

Compressor engagement can be tested by pushing the defrost button.

Duke

csnow · #8 12-20-2004, 12:59 PM

This is my understanding of that model:

1993 was the only year for that motor (M104-942) in the US. It essentially replaced the 'downpowered' 300e 2.6 (1990-1992) (formerly 260E) in the lineup. The newer motor had 194hp vs. 158hp for the older 2.6 (M103.940) , but the newer car was about 350lbs heavier, so not all bonus.

For the 1993 model year, the 3.2L 24v M104.992 engine was also introduced. It put out 217hp/229ftlbs vs. the prior 3.0L M103.983 motor @177hp/188ftlbs. As mentioned, the new car was heavier, so it was not all bonus here either.

My thinking is that there are plenty of 3.2L cars out there, so going for a 2.8 may not be the best choice. It's a pretty heavy car for such a small motor. I cannot say whether the 2.8L had the same probability of headgasket failure as the 3.2L, but at this age, most have probably had their day of failure and been fixed, or established their immunity. Bet you could get a 3.2L for similar money.

radunegru · #9 12-20-2004, 12:59 PM

I am a verry happy owner of a 2.8 M104. The car is in good shape .Mine just turn171k last week . I got it in May 2004 with 145K but all those mentioned parts( head gasket, throtle actuator, wire harness, A/C conversion, new radiator etc) were previous changed.I assume, that in the car that you are looking at, the maintenance was done and there is a high chance that those parts are new.
Mine is very strong , i did 26k in 7months.trouble free miles. Now that I got hooked to mercedes I am looking to sell this one an to get a 400E or E420, so if you are interested I can send you some pictures. I am selling the car locally for $5700

suginami · #10 12-20-2004, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radunegru

I am a verry happy owner of a 2.8 M104. The car is in good shape .Mine just turn171k last week . I got it in May 2004 with 145K but all those mention parts( head gasket, throtle actuator, wire harness, A/C conversion, new radiator etc) was previous changed.I assume, that in the car that you are looking at, the maintenance was done and there is a high chance that those parts are new.
Mine is verry strong , i did 26k in 7months.trouble free miles. Now that I got hooked to mercedes I am looking to sell this one an to get a 400E or E420, so if you are interested I can send you some pictures. I am selling the car locally for $5700

When you say a/c conversion, do you mean the evaporator was replaced?

All Mercedes in 1993 came with the new R134a refrigerant from the factory. Some came with R134a in 1992: the 400E and 500E, for example.

radunegru · #11 12-20-2004, 01:11 PM

Not the evaporator. Imean conversion from R12 to R134 I have the receipt from the previous owner (done at Mercedes dealer) .No doubt about.

toofast45 · #12 12-20-2004, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86560SEL

Thanks for the reply. As far as I know it is a USA model. I went to MSN autos as well as Consumer reports and both mention that 1993 was the first year for the 2.8L in the 300E. I have also read on those sites that the 1993 is a much better car, because it keeps mentioning head gasket failures on the 1992 and older models. So I am guessing that the 2.8L is the good engine? It actually gives the 93 300E 2.8L a 5 out of 5 reliability rating and all of the consumer ratings of this year was good. I would like to hear a little more about this car. I have also went to their website and discovered that they claim that the car has ALL books and service records.

Here is a photo of the car from their ad. It says $5995, but they have reduced their cars $1000.

Thanks again.

For that price of $4995.00 I think it's a pretty good buy, at least compared to what I paid for mine a couple of months ago. It's a 1993 300E with a 2.8 engine, bought for $8000.00 in Southern CA.

The interior is great condition, but soon after I bought it, I had to change to water pump, which was not cheap!!

The former owner had changed the wiring harness so that was another major expense I was spared of.

The car just started to surge at idle, so I may be lookinng at another major expense (I'll have to let the holidays go by before I can afford to do that!!!).

Otherwise, I enjoy the ride, very comfortable, quick enough and gets decent gas mileage. It's not bad looking either, just like the car you're looking to buy. It's not a very powerful car, but I was not lookoing for that from a sedan.

Good luck!

86560SEL · #13 12-20-2004, 11:08 PM

Thanks for all of the replies. Ironically, this car too has 171K. The interior is like new- so I assume it is the "MB-Tex"? What exactly is this wiring harness problem I keep hearing about? Where is it located and what all work is done in changing it? It is as simple as a "plug in a new one" repair? Probably wishful thinking.

This dealer is closed for the holidays and will not re-open until the 27th, so I have some time to look around. If I have not bought something else by then, I will closely check this car out, as well as all of the service/repair records that it mentions that it has. Hopefully all of those items have been repaired- especially the head gasket and wiring harness.

They initially had a 1996 Toyota Avalon XL with 99K I was considering for the same price, which was like brand new, but I think they sold it the day before they closed- before I even had a chance to check it out.

The power of this 2.8L does not concern me. I am sure it is sufficient. I was really not looking for one of these cars, but when I seen it on the lot, I liked it and thought it deserved some consideration. As mentioned, the interior is like new, but the steering wheel cover looks like it has getting pretty worn on the top of the wheel. I also looked under the car and did not see any drips under it, which is a plus.

Thanks again for the replies.

wbain5280 · #14 12-20-2004, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86560SEL

What exactly is this wiring harness problem I keep hearing about? Where is it located and what all work is done in changing it? It is as simple as a "plug in a new one" repair? Probably wishful thinking.

The wiring harness problem is caused by crumbling insulation. The insulation is made from a different formulation than usual, probably in the name of environmental friendliness. Heat and age cause the insulation the harden and crumble when moved. Shorts occur causing weird running problems. Replacement, or a diy rewiring, is the only solution. Replacement is not difficult, but you must plug the correct connector into the correct sensor or clip. Volvo tried this in the mid 80's and I had this problem on my old '86 740T. I bought a new harness and replaced it myself.

Here's a link:

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/M104WireHarness

86560SEL · #15 12-21-2004, 12:44 AM

Thanks very much for that link Warren. Very helpful. Seems like a task I would not want to do myself. Looks like too much spaghetti for me.

It looks like it could be a potential fire hazard as well. Looks like it could be a safety issue, that Mercedes would have a recall out on these wire harnesses.

Looks like it would not be that costly to have a shop to replace.

Does anyone know about how much the actual harness costs? Like I said- hopefully this one has been replaced.

Thanks again!