Hi,

Please bear with me as I'm a newb. Considering either a 300E or a 190E for a DD

A few questions:

Why do 300E's have different style seats? Even 300E's of the same year have different style seats.

Will wheels from a 500E fit a 300E?

Also, when shopping for a 300 or 190, anything in particular I should look out for?

I will not buy one without service records, but what do I need to be aware of?

Thanks

They're not so much different style seats as different upholstery and stitch pattern - leather has one, MB Tex another.

Agree, the only real difference between seat design would be between the sedan and the coupe/cabrio. Unless the sedan is a 500 E/E 500 which in case would be standardly equipped with sport seats (which are different in design from the regular seats).

Sport seats (front AND back) could be ordered as an option on all sedan types worldwide, although I am not sure this option was available in the USA.

The only other difference between seats on those years were units equipped with electric lumbar support and reinforced seats for heavy drivers, options which I am not sure were either available in the USA.

Go for the 300 E, it is much superior and comfortable than the 190 E.

__________________
A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

I agree get the 300E. It is bigger and comparable economy. Get a good prepurchase inspection, like with any car. Good luck

Here's what I mean by the seats in the 300E:

We'll call this "Style A"




And this, "Style B"



I like "Style B" better.

What are the correct names for each?

Also, is there any year 300E which I should avoid?

Thanks again.

Style A is MB Tex - really Heavy Duty vinyl that feels like leather but lasts forever woth minimum care. Style B is leather - usual leather care with cleaners, conditioners, etc, and doesn't last as long. Usually develops cracks unless cared for very well.

Genuine 500E wheels might be a bit hard to find, they didn't bring that many 500Es into the country. They are a wider rim with a different offset. There are a lot of MB wheels from different models and later years that work, and tons of aftermarket wheels as well.

Do a search on what to look for on a 300E, 400E, or 500E. The model was made from 1986 to 1995, as a sedan, 2 door coupe, and wagon, and there were changes in axle ratios, engine displacement, standard features, weight, brakes, etc during the entire run. Lots of info on each of these models in the archives. Like every car made, each year had something new, and some wrinkle corrected, and a new weak spot potentially added. The earlier models were lighter and handled best, but had weak valve guide/seal issues - simpler smog systems, but more primitive fuel computers meant lower gas mileage than later samples. Later model 6 cylinders had head gasket and potential engine wiring harness problems, though some say that was mostly on the V8 models. All the issues for each year were usually corrected by installing factory replacement upgraded parts.

Look at the 'cars' tab at the top of the page for a model summary, choose what you like best, research the archives for any problems on that year, find a good example that has been well maintained (with records) and has had the characteristic issues for that year taken care of, get a PPI, and if it all looks good, buy it!

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E