Problem:
I am forced to immediately replace a 95 E300D.

I've got an opportunity to purchase a 94 E320 (Gasser) for $4000 from an extremely reliable source. They indicated it is in great shape mechanically and physically.

I've been driving a Mercedes Diesel for the past 6 years (85 300DT before the 95 E300D) and love the reliability.

What are the drawbacks to switching from Diesel?

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1991 300SL 71K miles young

The gas will be faster and livlier. The '94 should be the 24 valve variant, still makes torque but they pull great up high. You'll loose a significant amount of mpg but you probably know that.

While I personally have never owned another gas W124 I've been in and around them for years (gas, not diesels) and the chassis quality is the same. W124 really was one of the best cars Mercedes ever made (flame suit on). The E320 isn't a bad choice at all.

I've actually got a complete 1994 E320 gas parts car if you needed anything (shameless plug)


Sadly you'll loose the smell and the rattle.

It is a matter of personal opinion and taste. I had a 300E as a winter car and my 87 300D as my summer car. The differences I noted was that the 87 300D had more poke at all speeds except off the line. I don't know if this is true of the non turbo 606. My 300E used more fuel than my diesel, 18-20 mpg vs 27 - 30 mpg for the diesel. The fuel cost per gallon is similar since the 124 gassers drink premium.

If it were me looking for a 124 gasser, I would opt for a 94 or 95 E420. They don't use that much more fuel then the 6 but are real hot rods. The burl wood trim on them is very nice too.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

I love my 95 E420 and second the recommendation for the V8. I've never driven a W124 diesel. I would not hesitate to pick up a nice E320. You will lose the clatter.

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RT


1984 300D---Sold
1995 E420 - 106K - Brilliant Silver Metallic/Orion Gray --- Sold
1984 300SD - 151K Manganese Brown Metallic/Mostly Black --- Sold
1982 240D - 79K - Manila Beige/Palomino---Sold

Watch out for the head gaskets on the E320's they are known to fail....Also wiring harness

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2005 SL65
1999 E300
1995 E300
1994 SL320
1988 560SL
1987 300TD
1982 300D
1955 300SL

(raises one eyebrow) Wow...that is the first time I've ever heard MB referred to as a "hot rod".

Here is a link to some good discussion on the merits of various models very much including the mid 90' E series:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=272331&referrerid=41390

It's pretty hysterical that the title of the thread is a request for recommendations on the best gas to use NOT the best model to buy.

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1991 300SL 71K miles young

Another link to a useful thread I found researching this topic...
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=262876&highlight=e320+issues

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1991 300SL 71K miles young

dont do it!

I can't imagine why this wasn't very useful to me.

Perhaps if there were more to go on?

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1991 300SL 71K miles young

the E320 with the M104 may be more powerful and sport than a 103 but the engine is hounded by issues...

plus the wiring harness issue that the car will have.


and the faulty crank sealing issue.. oh boy

All 3 of my E320s have been great cars. You will have the same wire-harness concerns as your '95.

It has almost 100hp more than your E300, mine all return around 25mpg at 75mph, and are a blast to drive. Much more engine than the 300E and other refinements as well.

I change between my diesel and gas cars, love the quiet-clean-powerful engine in the E320s, but something about the turbodiesel keeps drawing me back. Drove the 300TD today.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Cool...I'll be seeing/driving it Saturday morning with cash in hand. I trust the source who is selling it and among other things he mentioned that were already addressed was the wiring harness and head gasket. I'm going to make a list of questions to be sure but he wouldn't sell me the car with something wrong with it. So as long I like the interior I'll be driving it home for $4K.

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1991 300SL 71K miles young

You mean other than the fact you won't be able to show your face on this forum any more? :-)

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

A temporary thing! I do intend to continue looking for a nice diesel wagon one day. I just wasn't ready to get a different car when this happened so I'm going with a car that is easily affordable, has a known pedigree and within 45 miles.

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1991 300SL 71K miles young

The simplicity of the Diesel (at least the ones I've owned) have made the answer to that question clear to me when I answered it. I just picked up a 94 E320 in black. It's a nice car. I like it. It isn't in perfect working shape yet (bought it with a mis-fire) I'm trouble shooting it right now.

First thing I've learned about the Gas engine (M104 in this case), it is not nearly as simple in trouble shooting as the Diesel when something does go wrong. Search my past threads (Recent regarding the E320) and you'll see what I mean.

There are a lot of systems that all need to work.

With diesel, you still have to chase things down but it usually comes down to a fuel issue. Much simpler and easy to get a visual on in most cases. That's invaluable!

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-E300d '99 350k
-Suburban '93 220k
-TDI Jetta '03 350k
Sold
-F250 '96 7.3
-Dodge Ram 12V
-E320 '95 200k
-E320 Wagon 1994 155k
-300d Turbo '87 187k miles
-E320 1994 200k
-300d Turbo '84 245k (sold to Dan62)
-300d Turbo '84 180k
-300sd '80 300k
-7.3 Powerstroke Diesel 15P Van 500k+ miles
-190d '89 Non Turbo 2.5 5cyl 240k (my first MB)
Tom's Imports of Columbia MO Ruined the IP in changing leaky delivery valve O-Rings - Refused to stand behind his work. Mid-MO MB drivers-AVOID Tom's.