260e vs 190e 2.6 vs 300e 2.6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

msega · #1 08-15-2010, 02:28 PM

Could anyone shed any light to the differences between these cars? I know the 190e is a different chassis, but what about the engines? Are they the same?

Also, is the 260e any different from a 300e 2.6? Don't see many 260e's around.

david s poole · #2 08-15-2010, 02:35 PM

all the same engine.a 2.6 lt version of the m103 engine.

msega · #3 08-15-2010, 02:39 PM

So is there not really much difference besides the "bigger" model number?

edit: Was curious so I checked out the mpg numbers on fueleconomy.gov. Interesting..

260e
300e 2.6
190e 2.6

Ivanerrol · #4 08-15-2010, 09:54 PM

I own a W124 300e 2.6.
I previously owned a 190e 2.6

Those mpg figures that you have found don't make sense to me.

The 190e was slightly more economical than the W124 - lighter body.

The studies sample size must have been limited.

JamesDean · #5 08-15-2010, 10:23 PM

All the cars share the same engine, an M103 2.6L

The 260E and 300E 2.6 are the w124 platform
The 190E 2.6 is the w201 platform.

The 124 is a bit larger and roomier than the 201. But I like my 201. Its currently up on stands in my garage waiting a replacement steering arm

tjts1 · #6 08-16-2010, 01:20 AM

Same engine, same chassis, different wheel base, different weight.

pawoSD · #7 08-16-2010, 01:29 AM

The 260E is the euro-variation of the 300E 2.6....essentially the same car, but with some euro-differences in the case of the 260E....they are fairly rare, I've only ever seen one around here, and I haven't seen it again in ages. Personally I like the 300E, more power!

If I had a car with the 2.6 it would need to be the 190, and with a manual trans....that'd be fun. The 2.3 is fast, so I can imagine the 2.6 is awesome!

tjts1 · #8 08-16-2010, 01:37 AM

There is nothing 'euro' about the 260e. One year they called it 260e, the next year it was 300e/2.6. Same car, just badge engineering.

Ivanerrol · #9 08-16-2010, 03:34 AM

Marketing Trick

You could buy a 300e with an optional extra - smaller engine.

You could also remove the 2.6 badge and still say you owned a 300e - as per the data card.

Some Asian countries had engine size restrictions. One I worked in, restricted the maximum engine size to 2.8 litres. That's why you see a lot of the older euro cars with that particular size engine and less.

JamesDean · #10 08-16-2010, 04:58 AM

Did not realize how many different 124 variants there were:

pawoSD · #11 08-16-2010, 07:11 AM

Yikes, that is a lot of engines!

I've never really looked much in the EPC for my W124....so far it has never really needed any major repair!