All transmissions of the era can have issues, it's a Mercedes thing.

The R-134a native system is cold, at least as cold as the R-12 systems were, I've had many 124s including new.

The M104 is as smooth as the M103, no difference there. The down-side to the M104 cars is very simple: engine wiring harness. If that is changed (date-label visible between the battery and inner-firewall, look for FD wwyy) or compensated in the price you're golden.

The advantages to the '94/'95 over the '93 are: GREAT headlamps, which in contrast to the pre-94 DISMAL US lights saves you the price of good Euros. Nice facelift front and rear, and big 4-piston brakes on the front vs the earlier 1-piston ones. Also the easier to clean 8-hole wheels.

Advantages of the '93-up is the M104 and 2.65:1 gears. This gives you better fuel mileage, an extra 35 or 40hp (from memory), and much more low-end power so you have a faster launch/more power/fast top-end/better fuel mileage, and the quiet cruise of 3,000rpm at around 73mph. On top of that you get a 1st-gear start like you're used to in your 300D/124 instead of the (IMO annoying) 2nd-gear start of the M103 cars. Also native R-134a A/C.

On the '90-up cars you get the auto-down windows, the auto close/open with the key, the body cladding, painted bumpers, improved seating, zebrano-wood dash, and leather door-panels / leather seatbacks with map pockets instead of the saggy nets.

Other minor things I'm sure also, but this is the quick version from me.

The transmission and most other things are relatively un-changed as far as electronics, the M104 engine does have more issues with a few more sensors and so-forth, but it has pretty good built-in diagnostics also (plus this forum). Watching this forum for M104 questions vs M103 questions, not a whole lot of differences, both seem to repeat the same few questions over and over. The traction-control on the M104 is nice when it works (ASR), but it seems that as they age they are another source of trouble, I think I'd avoid an ASR car if you don't live where you (or your S.O.) will really benefit.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff