PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Definitive list of what goes wrong on a '94/'95 E320

Greg in Oz · #10 01-31-2005, 04:02 AM

As Paul (suginami) suggests, some of these "faults" are fair "wear & tear" that could reasonably be expected on any vehicle of this age with high mileage whereas others are problems they could be prematurely encountered on the W124. I believe your searches have revealed the common ones but also be aware that not all cars suffer from all these problems. Some W124 owners (even '80s models) have not suffered a head gasket or water pump failure and many owners of '93-'95 models have yet to suffer as a result of a faulty engine wiring harness (although it appears this one will be inevitable).

Since you mention a wagon version I will add a couple unique to the 124 wagon variant. The tailgate gas pressure springs will eventually weaken and be unable to support the tailgate. This is typical at the age of the 124 now if they have not already been replaced. The wiring harness into the tailgate can also eventually fatigue and develop open circuits due to flexing with the opening and closing of the tailgate. I have had to attend to both of these faults in recent years on our '90 300TE which is now showing about 185,000km (about 115,000 miles). During the six years we have owned it I have also replaced a head gasket (affects M103 as well as M104 engines) and valve stem seals, a belt tensioner, rear suspension air cells, a tailshaft flex coupling, front brake hoses and mufflers (plus normal maintenance items such as brake pads and filters etc.).

Over the past few years that my father has owned his '93 E320 124 coupe now showing about 135,000km, I have replaced its engine wiring harness, water pump, belt tensioner and coolant reservoir. It is now also showing signs of a pending head gasket failure.