looking to buy w124 e320/e420-advice please
 

Hi all ,

I'm looking to buy a 94ith /95 w124. I'm stuck between worring about more maintanance on the m119 if i do decide to get it... but the power and the better sound system is tempting me too much.

I'd like to know if there is a big difference between the 92 400e's and the 94 e420's. I've so far seen a 92 400e for $1800 with about 155K miles on it and a 94 e420 with 135K for $6000.
Aprt from the wiring harness issues... do you think its worth looking at the 400e instead of the e420...? is a PPI necessary for either or ?

Thanks...

jm124, a PPI is essential for whatever MB automobile you're considering. Our local indie advised me years ago that the 6-cylinder 124 cars are much easier and less expensive to maintain than the 8-cylinder models. I took that advice to heart and only own 6-cylinder MB automobiles which have more than adequate power.

Thanks...

Ferdman, I have owned a 94 e320 which i sold a few years ago... Now i'm aching to get another w124 and the m119 is just too tempting even though the m104 might be enough...

You're advice is well taken. I may complain abot the maintainance later on but it 'may' be worth a try...

However i'm still trying too see the major difference between the w124 400e and e420 other than the exterior styling ...which i have not been able to find so far in my research

Thank you for your reply!

I've had a number of 104 and 119 in the 124 chassis and think there's not much difference between them maintenance wise. There's quite a few problems on the 104 that the 119 does not have, and not many the other way. More worry on the 119 chain but you just have to take care of it. I would not be scared of a 92 400E, perhaps a bit cobbed together versus the 93-95, also 92 EPA rating was lower, but no big deal. But when it comes to buying a car of that era there's really only one cardinal rule - avoid ASR.

After being on these forums for many years and owning a 1995 E320 for about 11 years, I am starting to think the older W124 cars may have been put together a bit better than the newest W124 cars. It just seems the older cars have fewer problems. My 1995 is a heartbreaker. I think my newer car is absolutely beautiful, but I seem to get every issue known to man.

Caps and rotors wise, the M119 might make your wallet grunt more. Then again, when you step on the accelerator pedal, you get more grunt as well ;)

Less than $200 every 75 to 100k - should be similar to the coils and connectors on the 320.

ksing44, I dare say your 1995 E320 must be a "lemon". I bought a 1995 E320 (130,000 miles) 2 years ago and have put 20,000 miles on it. A/C blows cold and the engine is more refined and powerful than those in our 1991 & 1992 300CE's. Minor problems included replacing one coil pack and the thermostat because the engine was running too cold. Bought it as a "snow car" for $5,000 ... best value of our four MB automobile purchases.

It may be true that I have a lemon. It is a truly beautiful lemon, but maybe a lemon nonetheless. I would caution you, however, that 2 years and 20,000 miles is not a very long time of ownership. I wish you the best of luck in the future.

It may also be true, as some enthusiasts suggest, that it really is too much to expect not to have considerable repairs with an almost 14-year-old car that I have owned for 11 years. The good news is that I still love driving my car. I just have moments when I wonder if I really should move into a much newer vehicle and not another MB. I also think it is only fair to share my concerns with perspective buyers of the model.

The last set on the 400E lasted less than 6000 miles. :eek: Those were M-B parts, so I went to Advance this time as I had nothing to lose, and much $$$ to gain.:D

See post #5 here by Gilly - http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/232887-w124-400e-maintenance-schedule.html?highlight=w124+400E+maintenance+schedule There's something wrong elsewhere if they're dying that soon.

Seems to me the sound system ought to be around if not at the bottom of your list of priorities, and I would run away from an $1,800 400E. That is probably little better than a parts car at that price. Then again, you might get very lucky.

Here are the 400E-specific issues of which I am aware:

- The PS pump will almost certainly leak (more common on 400E than 300E due to under-hood heat) and require replacement w/ a rebuilt or new unit. Part is about $450, but it's a royal PITA to R&R. You can DIY - it's not rocket science, but lots of parts to take off and put back on.

- The fan clutch part for the M119 is very expensive, +/- $500, but this is a one-time replacement item, not that big of a deal.

- The brake calipers are extremely expensive to replace, but they can be rebuilt.

- As with most 124s, the wiring harness will likely go bad if it has not already, good news is that the part is actually cheaper for the 400E than the 300E / E320.

- Caps / rotors (1 for each cylinder bank) are regular maintenance items but really no big deal, should last at LEAST 75K miles unless something else is wrong.

The 400E will not burn much more fuel than a 300E / E320. Mine gets 23 to 24 MPG highway - pretty good for a heavy 4.2L sedan. Very tall final drive helps these cars get pretty good mileage.

A PPI is most definitely necessary!!

Warning
 

MB Wiring Harness Failure
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/general-information/128181-mb-wiring-harness-failure.html

All sources confirm the wiring harness is discontinued, No longer available.

Wow, I was just looking at the 400E's because they are priced so low now. So they are pretty much dead in the water, other than throwing on a used wiring harness? MB has basically made the model obsolete by discontinuing the wiring harness, completely??

No, silly rumor. Still very much available and probably will be for another 25 years.