May be a dumb question, but any w124 years better than others? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

andrew540 · #1 10-16-2007, 08:55 PM

I'm thinking of getting a W124 wagon- after thinking about it, I like the 94-95 with the updated styling, increased power and computer calibrated transmission shifts, even though the purchase price may be a little more (I'm getting as an extra car and didn't want to spend much, but don't want junk either.).

Are there any people that feel/know of any build quality issues of the later ones vs say the late 1980's cars? Any other than the the fact that I need to check the head gasket on the DOHC 3.2 litre motor and the engine wiring harness?

I'm hoping to get what I think is one of the last of the old bank vault build benzes (I guess that would technically be the 500SL before it switched to the current body style, but it's close enough

)

Specifically, I guess what I'm wondering is if the 94-95 had any more squeaks/rattles or any cheaper parts, and if the engine/transmission is as good as the earlier 3.0 liter and earlier tranny (excluding the aforementioned head gasket/wire harness), given that some of the over-enginnering was being worked out of the new crop of benz models around this time and the cars were becoming more high end well made cars vs high end built to last forever cars.

Thanks for any imput- I do appreciate it.

(PS this is my first post- I'm a certified car nut, but never had a benz. I always remember the couple of times I drove my friend's parent's 1984 300SD almost 20 years ago and how utterly solid and well built that car was!)

-Andrew

deanyel · #2 10-16-2007, 10:05 PM

Don't get a 94-95 for a computer controlled transmission - doesn't exist. Appearance wise there's three generations of wagons - before 90, 90 to 93, and 94 to 95. But the engine changed from the 2 valve 3.0 to the 4 valve 3.2 in 1993. They are all quite well made. Early cars may be a little easier to work on for the DIYer but if you like the styling / power of the 94-95 that's probably what you should get.

andrew540 · #3 10-16-2007, 10:12 PM

Thanks- I thought I had read somewhere that the 3.2 DOHC had computer controlled shifts, or more clearly, the computer cut engine power for that fraction of a second on upshifts for smoother shifts. Additionally, I read the car has a higher (lower numerical) gear ratio, but the car starts in 1st gear, not 2nd. I read this in the Mercedes Buyer's Guide (I'll have to check the book again when I have a moment). I wasn't sure if it was a new transmission, or just re-calibrated 300e transmission going back to 1986.

Regardless, the styling and the extra power are nice I think in the 94-95, although all are nice...

TheEngineer · #4 10-17-2007, 12:42 AM

Bought a '95 E320 wagon recently (decal says: Built Nov. 95). Tranny indeed starts in 1st gear unlike my 280SL. Problem is that, last week, I needed to beat another car waiting at the light, so I could change lanes: I actually spun one rear tire. Pavement was a little wet. Never happened to me before in any car. Had to ease up a little. (Left the other cars like standing still). I normally don't drive that way. Now i'm thinking, I'd like to have that engine/transmission in my 280SL. This is a really hot car but you can drive it very sedately if you go easy on the throttle. How reliable is it? I'll let you know in a few years. Rear windows leak. Had to fix AC relay. Look at my earlier post.

vanwiek · #5 10-17-2007, 01:20 AM

I think you're both right. The transmission is not computer controlled, but the tranny does send a signal to the engine/ignition control unit to retard timing during a shift.

Check out this thread. 1992 500E - Transmission overload protection switch failure (or reaction valve / pin?

G-Benz · #6 10-17-2007, 04:14 AM

For styling, the 94-95 Euro-spec headlights are far more attractive than the US spec ones that were forced on the earlier series. Alas, those of us with 93 - earlier W124s have to upgrade to the kits that are available...

Pete Geither · #7 10-17-2007, 05:29 AM

Love my wagon and it has had issues over the years, but this forum will usually get you going with the proper fix in short order.

POS · #8 10-17-2007, 08:02 AM

My theory is "the newer the better" only because you eliminate a lot of age-related issues with newer cars. Problem is, build quality comes into play with late-model Mercedes. If chasing a w124 wagon, I'd most certainly chase the '94-'95; I bought a '98 wagon that is now my daily commuter and I absolutely love it - much better highway machine than my 1995 E300D.

Ferdman · #9 10-17-2007, 10:34 AM

Andrew, I recommend a 1994 or 1995 E320 wagon. As mentioned the engine provides impressive acceleration and with that vintage engine turns lower RPM's at highway speeds than the older 104 engines ... making for a more refined and quieter ride. Headlights are much brighter than on the older models too. Whichever car you're seriously considering be sure to have a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) done by a knowledgeable tech so you're aware of any pending major maintenance items.

TheEngineer · #10 10-17-2007, 02:16 PM

I did a PP inspection also. Wouldn't have bought it if the seller had refused "subject to PP inspection"! I picked a specific technician at one of several local MB dealerships. He has a wagon just like this one, except it's a '94. Mine is a '95. He inspected, I wrote down what he found: An entire page of issues. And the mechanic who helped the owner sell the car, had it advertised as "has no issues"! I have fixed most of the stuff and am still working on it, but I'm also driving it. Some things I found had escaped the mechanic, but then, I'm a very old guy and have been around MB for a very long time. Surprisingly, I'm enjoying the hell out of driving that car. I thought, I'd be way too old and way too sophisticated to really enjoy driving a particular machine. I have driven tractors, jeeps, bulldozers, motorcycles, semi's and a long list of different cars. I have a '69 280SL where the chick-magnet is broken. MB won't/can't fix it. They say, it has nothing to do with the car. But I seem to really enjoy driving this wagon. We have several steep hills here and even hot cars go slow: When I have a BMW or a 'stang behind me, it's fun to leave them standing there. The suspension is very good and I can take corners very fast. The weight distribution is good and the car won't break out uncontrollably. Nobody really expects this staid wagon to be so fast.

andrew540 · #11 10-17-2007, 10:04 PM

Thanks for all the input! Doesn't sound like there were any things not built as well in the '95 as in the '86! As far as the additional power, that is certainly nice...My daily driver is a 2000 540i with 6-speed, so I definitely like to have some grunt, but with the wagon, it's more secondary- the 177hp is probably good, although the 2nd gear start would piss me off (especially since I'm used to a stickshift with instant power).

This whole desire to have a wagon as a extra weekend/family car started when I saw a beautiful- spotless restored 1983 300td wagon- gold with chocholate brown MB tex interior at the local supermarket...started looking at those, then somewhow said to myself the W124's look nice...then said wow I like what they did with the '94-'95 wagons- especially certain colors (two tone light or dark green and beige interior with the nice w124 wood accents for example- wow what a nice color combo! see picture below (this one sold on ebay for $7K! spotless car with 90K miles) I'm just getting the hang of this site, but I think if you click on the picture below it will enlarge.

I still like the W123, but that's going to be slower & noiser- not a problem for me, but my wife wouldn't like it as much.

Michael K · #12 10-18-2007, 01:53 AM

Those late model S124 wagaons with the M104 are amazing vehicles. If it's been really, really loved mechanically and cosmetically, it should be a great driver. Robust but complex vehicle. The problem now is most of them are pretty beat.

J. M. van Swaay · #13 10-18-2007, 11:30 AM

Our 94 E320 wagon has 205,000 miles and still runs very strong. Interior looks like it did when it was brand new. I have had to deal with the common items: head gasket, ac evap, wire harness, suspension accumulators, throttle actuator, blower motor, engine mounts, and several other more minor items. Because of the way this car looks and drives I think the repair of these common items was worth it. I did all these items DIY with a lot of help from this forum. Having these items done by a commercial shop would have rendered the car economically unviable.

My wife loves this car--we hope to drive it another 100K miles.

J. M. van Swaay

TheEngineer · #14 10-18-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Kerley

Those late model S124 wagaons with the M104 are amazing vehicles. If it's been really, really loved mechanically and cosmetically, it should be a great driver. Robust but complex vehicle. The problem now is most of them are pretty beat.

That was just my problem: I used my '98 Subi Outback as daily driver. Bt new and now has 46,000 miles on it. Still original tyres, brakes ect. Only changed oil & filters. Then I saw a beat 94 E320 wagon and loved it. But it was quite beat-up. Fortunately it sold before I made up my mind. Then I ran across this one on Craig's list: I presents like new. Spotless. Perfect compression. No oil consumption. I just couldn't resist buying it. I could easily afford a new one, but they don't turn me on. I didn't need another car, I have four. But I really start to like this wagon. It's my type of car: Very understated, quiet and smooth. Yet, when I lean on it, it jumps and when I go into a corner real fast it handles better than my 280SL. Not that I drive that way very often. Admittedly, it's systems are complex: The A/C is way overdesigned, so is the tailgate lock. Who needs a power antenna? Who needs 12-way power seats? But, Boy! does that car drive nice!

dtf · #15 10-18-2007, 07:19 PM

I've got 290,000 miles on '94 E320 wagon and it floats a little on the highway now but no squeeks, rattles or hums. Uses no oil either.