These are the numbers I recorded when I replaced my head gasket. The new one had the reinforcement in the trouble-prone area.

104 016 28 20 (new replacement)
104 016 25 20 (original)

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

hi everyone
i value your input greatly
i checked and made sure it was updated gasket
i had it installed and also decided while the head
was removed to get it milled and replace valve guides and seals
that added extra 350 bucks to the total
i also replaced the water pump and belt
the car started right up and i am using it right now
i still notice some oil residue in overflow tank but was told it is almost imposible to get rid of because oil mixed with the coolant where the headgasket went bad
do u know if the head bolts need to be torqued after some time
i felt relief when i got my benz back from the shop
do u use synthetic or regular oil on engine with 160k
thank for your help
cabrioed

I heard there's a solution MB specifies to get rid of oil in the coolant. I urge you to pursue this because I heard the oil can significantly degrade rubber cooling hoses, shortening their life.

Head bolts do not need retorque after service.

Synthetic or regular oil is a personal choice. I use regular.

Otherwise it looks like the repair went well. If you don't mind my asking, how much did it cost without the head rebuild?

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

thanks for that info
i will call the mb dealer and see if they know of that solution
repair cost without head going to the shop for milling was $1300
i dont think i overpaid but i just hope it will last me some time
tell me what u think?

Sounds about right. Working from memory, I've heard anywhere from $800 to $2000. But I don't know the details or circumstances for each job.

Was this the first time the head was replaced for this car? I'm guessing the new gasket should last longer than the original one.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

i just inherited this benz
so far i put in over 2k into it
i like the body style and the interior is in fairly good shape
i hope the head gasket last another 160k
i know i need wiring harnest
do u know where i can find this part cheaper and how much they would charge for labor?
thanks
cabrioed

Go to the top of this page and click on FastLane. You can get the wiring harness there. It costs either $575 or $725 depending on whether yours is an early or later production model. Mine was the more expensive one.

Can you post the Part Number for your engine wiring harness? It's on the label attached to the wiring harness about a foot or two down from the bulkhead disconnect. The bulkhead disconnect is behind the battery. This number will also help Phil, since I had some confusion with him. Having the number beforehand will potentially save the trouble of having to return the part.

Labor costs roughly two to three hours repair time.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

hi
mine was manufactured in 11/1992
i just hope it is least expensive one
thanks
i will check the label once i go for lunch break
do u know when connecting euro headlights is there a way of knowing if the hi or low are on by looking at the headlight at night
i hooked it up and i think a did it wrong
where would i find a wiring schematics or color code\
thanks
cabrioed

I'm in the process of ordering parts: does anyone know what brand name is on the OEM gasket? Apparently the Elring gasket has the new metal inserts on the front corners.

Also, is it possible to replace the timing chain rails without removing the lower timing cover? As I recall, Brotherton's great gasket article doesn't specifically recommend replacing either the rails or chain tensioner ass'y--how likely will they both last another 140k miles?

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TomO
94 E320 Wagon, 170k, totalled in 2006
2002 BMW 525i Wagon, 75k
1991 BMW 318is (two of 'em)