What's the highest miles on a M104/M103 engine?
 

Kinda OT but I figured most people here would know.

I once read that the M104 engine was good to 400K miles but I don't think I actually have heard anyone go that high.

What's the most miles one has had or heard someone had on a M103/M104 engine?

Does anyone have, heard or know of this engine go this high?

1997 S320- last time I saw it, there was 261K on it. It comes in from time to time for service.

Larry Bible's 300E should have close to 300,000 miles on it by now.

There is an extremely long list of factors which could vary the answer to your question by a margin of more than 100,000 to 200,000 miles.

It all depends on maintenance, fuel quality, oil quality, driving style, ambient temperature and humidity, etc, etc, etc...

According the shop manager at the local dealer, a well mantained M104 engine here in the tropics should last at least for 200,000 miles. But, then again...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/69913-high-mileage-mbs.html
This is a pretty old thread but I remember writing it like it was yesterday. Unfortunately, the car was sold "as is" several months ago. It was a real shame too because the car is exceptionally clean for it's age. It developed a bad case of blow-by. A compression/leakdown test revealed cylinder #2 to have bad rings. I don't work on the car anymore but I try and help the new owner out with advice when I can. The last time I saw the car the odometer read just over 482,000 miles. It idles poorly, but it still makes decent power. The fact that this is a gasoline powered MB makes it all the more incredible.

Have about 272k on my 300SE. Had a valve job at 220k, replaced lots of CIS parts, motor mounts etc. Still pulls hard to 6500.

I have 230K on my '92 Sportline, W124 M103. It had a head gasket before I bought it at 100K, but valves have never been done. 95% long interstate trips.

My '93 W124, Sportline M104 has 254K miles . Had a headgasket, but never had valves done. I bought it on a whim cheap.

My indy mechanic, who has 25 years experience on MB said that he had never had to do valves on the M104.

So I would say the longevity is very long with proper fluids, filters etc.

Steve

Suginami is right. Larry had a recent post about his trip and getting 25-30 mpg. I think he has 280K+ on his manual 300E.

1991 300e 256000, 3.0L 103 Daily Driver, today another 75 miles city/hwy.

M103, 260E, 2.6 litres, Manual gearbox, Gasoline, Euro, 1988 , 410 000km (I don't know in miles) still perfect despite erratic small problems.

Not unusual in Europe
 

My '91 300SEL (104 engine) has actually 610.000 km (400k miles), but was overhauled 160.000 km (100k miles) ago for preventive reasons.

400k miles without major overhaul (bot of course not without proper maintenance) is not unusual.

256,669 miles on a '94 M104. Runs like new. I change the oil every month.

96 SL 320, 142,000 miles. All original, no head gasket, no trans repairs. Only head cover gasket upper timing seal, and front main. I have a little ticking at startup, but hey, it is an old car! Happy Benzing!
Brian

'87 300E with 274,000 miles registers on the new odometer replaced 6 years ago. The old odo was broken and registered 220,000 when I bought it. The car was driven by the PO for 2-3 years with the broken odo. So I don't know the exact mileage. I estimate it at 320,000 as he is a traveling salesman for Citizen watch.

Car still runs fine, drove it to Toronto and back for vacation a month ago.

I quess mine's just broke in at 183,000 miles.