Need your advise on peculiar M104 engine - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Beernut · #16 09-21-2007, 03:05 AM

I have a 1990 300CE - 24v, and it chews the juice by way of enjoyable driving experience as well as the oil but it doesnt bother me too much and isnt a huge issue as long as I continue to feed it with good blood. Mine has 254,000km and i drive it everyday and its great. I have found that by trying to be careful with the fuel consumption doesent achieve any pleasing results so i just drive it to hear it sing. To fix the problem i currently have with the oil consumption requires valve steam seals to be replaced at a cost of nearly 2 grand, but for now im happy with the way it is. Im more concernd about the 5 speed gearbox, they have thier poblems, i had to get it rebuilt in november last year at a cost of 2 grand.

I give the motor and the car 4 thumbs up if i were Goro.

lguthrie · #17 09-21-2007, 12:12 PM

I have just about a month with a .980 motor (1992 CE) and while I'm new to the 104 I've had two 103s.

I also have come to like the powerband very much but it took a while as it is so different from the M103 and it takes some getting used to. My M103 cars were silky smooth and seemed strong from the bottom through the middle. The .980 motor seems very thin on the bottom until you figure out that you just have to drive it differently. As soon as you decide to use your right foot more aggresively you find the beauty. Man this thing goes! The 7 grand redline is real and at anything over three is just picks up and goes. I like it alot.

It's not just top end either - throttle response is immediate from freeway cruise speed as well.

The only disclosure element here is that I have no experience with the 104.992 variable valve timing motor. Common sense says that this should deliver more bottom and easier transition to higher engine speeds but perhaps not as linear a progression of power right to the top. Anyone driven both?

Arthur Dalton · #18 09-21-2007, 01:20 PM

Your 980 version of 104 also has variable valve timing..What the 992 has different is variable intake runner length.
Along with a few other systems ..... like DIS ignition and HFM/SFI injection.

BENZ-LGB · #19 09-21-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lguthrie

I have just about a month with a .980 motor (1992 CE) and while I'm new to the 104 I've had two 103s.

I also have come to like the powerband very much but it took a while as it is so different from the M103 and it takes some getting used to. My M103 cars were silky smooth and seemed strong from the bottom through the middle. The .980 motor seems very thin on the bottom until you figure out that you just have to drive it differently. As soon as you decide to use your right foot more aggresively you find the beauty. Man this thing goes! The 7 grand redline is real and at anything over three is just picks up and goes. I like it alot.

It's not just top end either - throttle response is immediate from freeway cruise speed as well.

The only disclosure element here is that I have no experience with the 104.992 variable valve timing motor. Common sense says that this should deliver more bottom and easier transition to higher engine speeds but perhaps not as linear a progression of power right to the top. Anyone driven both?

I have a 1989 300TE and a 1991 300CE. My experience with both cars supports your own observations.