M.B.DOC,

Thanks for that info. Logic would suggest that they would have used the same (biodegradable) insulation on the wiring across the whole model range and throughout the whole car. It's just that I had only heard of the problem in the engine wiring harness and then only on the sixes and V8s. Until I discovered the problem on my father's '93 E320 coupe about 18 months ago I was unaware of the issue. Only then did my searches reaveal discussion forums such as this and the extent of the problem. Club members here in Oz did not know of the problem (although a few have since fallen victim to the problem with M104s and an M119) and they were alarmed when I described the extent of the problem. Techs here knew of it but had not encountered many. DaimlerChrysler here did not want to admit too much and were not helpful.

I guess it shows up initially in the engine wiring harness due to the heat and hostile conditions there. Presumably the larger engines also create more severe conditions bringing the fault on earlier. In the case of my father's car it was an engine wash that finally revealed the problem. I have yet to hear of an M111 engined car with the problem, not that I doubt what you say. It makes perfect sense. The worry is the problems the affected cars will suffer in the longer term as wiring breaks down throughout the whole car. Makes me wonder what sort of long term prospects there are for my parent's W124 E320 coupe. Coupes are usually candidates for long term keepers. I hope their W210 E230 is not affected. It was one of the first into Oz in about January '96. I will have to check its build date to see if it was within the period you state. Do you know if any W210s were affected?

Greg

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