I have had my 93 w201 2.6 for about 3.5 years now. The only problems I have had where the alternator, starter and some bad vacuum lines. The car had 135K on it when I got it and now reads approx. 153K. I would consider these parts just maintenance items any 12-16 year old car would need. My suspension all seems to be in great shape, the engine / trans, AC, sunroof, antenna, power seats/headrests and factory radio all work great.

When I got the car I established a baseline, that is I replaced all the fluids and filters, re-did the brake pads, gave it new proper plugs, wires cap/rotor, replaced the T-stat and the serpentine belt. The car seems to love my 70 mile a day commute, runs around 85 degrees even with the AC on and in LA freeway traffic while delivering approx. 20mpg city/28-30 highway. I am a happy camper!

Some had said that the m103 engines have head gasket trouble at my mileage, I am watching for any symptoms, but have yet to see any. Others have reported 250K or so before seeing a failure. I read somewhere that the later model M103 engines had an "improved" head gasket, maybe I got lucky.

The "baby benz" was the least expensive model offered, that being said, most of the buyers probably had fewer financial resources to tend to these cars the way they need to be. Therefore it is important to find one with good service records and to have it checked out by someone qualified to do so. I was fortunate that my cars PO/original owner was my father, he attended to her like a Beverly Hills wife.

Get a good one and you will be happy for a long time, get a bad one and you will regret it (kind of like a Beverly Hills wife). I love the sound the M103 makes and I understand the lower end is pretty much bullet proof. I would not be surprised if I had to do the HG soon and would do so without even thinking about it. They can be great cars and make you smile for a long time!

Oh, I forgot to mention... A sway bar bracket failed on me when I hit a large pothole, but that was repaired for $1.00 at the junk yard.

Happy motoring!

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1993 190E 2.6 135k
1989 Ford Thunderbird SC 5 Spd 79K