This is my first post and i would like to use it to say Thank You to everyone who has contributed to making this site what it is - brilliant!

I recently treated myself to a 1993 300e (3.2L) and i am hooked. By referencing this site, i was able to discover the cause of an annoying & intermitent rattle - the poly belt tensioner! Since purchasing, i have had all major fluids & filters replaced, including fuel and transmission.

The car is rust free, has 218000km's and drives like new.

However, having never owned or driven a MB before, i have a couple of questions.

1. Oil pressure gauge - When i start the car it goes to 3 and stays there intermittently - when engine is at normal temp and if i stop at lights etc - the needle sometimes goes to 2 and returns to 3 when i move off. It will sometimes dip a little during driving - Is this normal behaviour?

2. Badge. The badge on the trunk says E300 and yet most 300's i have seen say 300 E so im a little confused on this? I did a vin search and it came back saying E320, but the papers show it is a 300..

3. Head Gasket. I have read that these are prone to failure - is there any tell tale signs that i can look for to show if the head gasket was ever replaced?

I admit i bought the car on instinct - it was love at 1st sight and then had the local garage check her over - They couldnt believe it was 16 years old and could find no issues anywhere.

Again, thanks in advance for everything and im looking forward to being a part of this great community

1. normal

2. lots of 93's were misbadged... you should have a m104 engine.... 3.2

3. m104's are prone to oil leaking as a result of a bad headgasket. m103's are more likely to blow out and the issue becomes anti-freeze in the oil, or just blowing out from overheating. Don't know about signs.. a good job would show no signs... however they may have replaced front cover timing chain gasket... then you might see some newer sealant. I think that would be a good sign.. other good signs would be a shinier water pump...

advice... change all fluids... get zerex g-5 anti-freeeze... yellow stuff

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Welcome. Yes, oil pressure drops down to 2 or lower on idle, then should peg again on acceleration. Your car is a 124.032 chassis, which was designated 300E until the end of MY 1993, then changed to E320 when the entire line was re-badged beginning in MY 1994.

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1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world--those who understand binary and those who don't

With a new purchase of that chassis , I would go right here first stop and check all modules for stored codes.

E320 16 PIN DTC Charts inc. pin 8, pin 14

That chassis has the E320 engine and drive chain , along with HFM/SFI and DIS ignition of the later [94/95] E320 , So ,it is an E300 3.2. It is not an E320 b/c they had aero body front end and lighting, etc.

So , they share many parts , but a true E320 is a 94/95 version.
One can immediately see the diffence side by side.. The later E320 is also known as the "Face-lifted" 124 chassis b/c of the newer Aero design front end and US/DOT Headlamps being true optical cut-off as the Euro style lamps used.
Regardless, the codes are the same and applicable from that site I listed and that will give you info on that car you are presently not aware of and good to know.
Build the little code tool listed , as it is required to get into all the modules and you will find it useful as long as you own that chassis..........and it's short $$$$$$$

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A Dalton

Thanks for the replies and i will take all the information & advice given.