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Originally Posted by csnow
This cheating heart...
The beloved 300E is getting a bit long in the tooth. Rust is coming on, and I have no interest in taking on a body restoration ever again. The cost/benefit ratio is just no good at this age.
I'm thinking about a newer Benz. My sense is that MB R&D really started to unravel after 1995. Seems like someone flipped a switch, and reliability went out the window. I'd appreciate any opinions on this matter.
So I have in mind either an E class or an S class, probably 93-95.
A few questions:
How are the S class sedans from this vintage?
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1993-1995 6 cylinder models are all M104 engines. 1993 300E's have the 3.2 liter M104 engine, and 1994-1995 models are properly badged as E320. There was a value model in 1993, the 300E 2.8, which is the same engine as the C280.
1992-1993 400E's have the same 4.2 liter M119 engine as 1994-1995 E420's.
All of the above models have the new r134a a/c refrigerant from the factory, as well as having dual airbags.
All of the above models will have the infamous engine wiring harness deteriorating. A new harness is around $500-ish.
If it were my money, I'd be a '92-'93 400E / '94-'95 E420. Used car prices are very depressed for both E320's and 400E's / E420's, and there is virtually no price difference between the six cylinder models and V8's. What's more, you get all that horsepower (275 hp), and almost no penalty in fuel economy. The V8's only get 1 - 2 mpg less than the six's.
All W124 4-matics are extremely problematic and should be avoided.