95, 96, 97, 98, 99 Diesels for reliability, ease of maintenance - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 12-20-2002, 10:12 AM

Hi:
I keep thinking about a diesel, and the above years look appealing to me.

What is your opinion about which years are the better Diesel? Not so much in terms of looks or driving pleasure, but in terms of reliability and maintenance expense.

Is the 95 better in this regard than the 97 or the 99?

Is the 98 or 99 better because of the 174 hp?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to express your opinion.

Happy Holidays and have a great New Year.

Dave

gsxr · #2 12-20-2002, 02:02 PM

The 1995 will be the most reliable because it was the last year for the 124 chassis, and all the "bugs" were worked out. The OM606 engine is great. The 96/97 and 98/99 should be about the same, but I've heard horror stories about the W210 chassis. For that matter I've also heard bad things about the later engines but it's been quite rare... more issues with the tranny than engine. I'd assume all 96-99 are basically equal, but I'd prefer the 98/99 due to the awesome POWER. Otherwise I'd take the 1995, why get a 96/97 with the same engine but a less reliable chassis - for more money?

Triffin · #3 12-20-2002, 06:11 PM

why get a 96/97 with the same engine but a less reliable chassis - for more money?

Hmmmm .. because I like the 'look' of the w210 ..:p

Holson Adi · #4 12-20-2002, 06:24 PM

I think the W210 is definitely a more modern car and is in no ways less Mercedes than the W124 in my opinion. I have driven one and I am totally impressed.

However, the W124 was the Mercedes that I always dreamt of being brought up in Jakarta, where the W124 was the car to have! Obviously I like the W124 more for no smart reason

slowmoe · #5 12-20-2002, 10:53 PM

I think the 124 is the best buy. I have had tremendous success with mine - just normal mantainence and R&R of wear items.

Check out this thread in the '96+ models:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=52732

It is currently active. Good luck!!

dmorrison · #6 12-21-2002, 01:04 AM

Well the above post is about My post.

I have owned 7 mercedes in the last 22 years.

1970 220D sold
1980 240D sold
1982 300TD, own
1982 300TD, a second one, sold
1986 300SDL, own
1988 560SL, own
1999 E300TD, own

I fell in love with Mercedes in High School, I love the quality and reliability and of course I'm a snob!!!!

The 99 E300 is the only new Mercedes I have purchased. maybe I'm a little more particular about the cars condition than the others. Right now the 82 300TD is not on the road. But for $42,000 I expect the car to be in great shape. The car has been in the shop for

glow plugs 3X
1 had to clean glow plug holes, glow plugs OK
2 had to replace 1 glow plug
3 had to replace 2 more so they replaced them all
radio 7X maybe its just me.
radio replaced
ant amp
connections loose
ant switch unit
door panels caused by seat belts 1X
seat belts,both front
Transmision 4X
3 sets of front brake pads, that seems about right through
Engine mounts 1X
Serpentine belt 1X, damaged caused by poor work 1X
Rear lights both replaced
Climate control 1X unit replaced due to a BURNT OUT BULB!!!!
Steering wheel 1X replaced, coming unraveled
Instrument dash panel replaced, glue comming through on it
Ash tray door replaced
Child seat sensor replaced
Turn signal combo switch replaced
Mass air flow sensor replaced
Injection pump replaced
Banjo bolt replaced
Volume air flow sensor replaced
Transmision control module replaced
Transmission parking interlock cable conection replaced
Transmission electrical connection seal replaced
Transmission Pump replaced
Window ant amplifier replaced
Seat track cover replaced
Cup holder door replaced
C pillar replaced
Drivers seat adjuster
I am amazed how many light bulbs burn out on this car compared to my others

And the one that seems to happen most often
State inspection expires every year at the exact same time!!!!

Now guys give me some feedback here. Is this excessive or do you find your cars are having the same amount of service on a 3 year old 59,000mi car.

Dave

#7 12-21-2002, 12:21 PM

Hi to all, and Happy Holidays:

Thanks for the replys todate. These informed opinions are very helpful in my decision making process.

I am tending towards the 95, but the 98/99's are appealing because of the power.

Any others out there who own the 95, please let me hear from you.

Thanks again - a great forum.

Dave

Beech · #8 12-21-2002, 05:14 PM

I own a 95 E300 and a 97 E300. The 95 has never been in the shop. The 97 has been there for a leaking injection pump, 4 times for check engine due to bad manifold resonace flaps, once for bad switchover valve, once for no start due to K-40 power supply relay, and once for burned out side marker light assy.
The mechanicals of the 95 are clearly the best. The 124 amenities suck though. The heating/AC fan system is loud, the old style wheel temp control is out of the dark ages, and the car is missing little things like reading lights for passengers that even my 1983 Audi 5000TD had. I love the superior creature comforts of the 97.

#9 12-21-2002, 05:42 PM

I hate to say it, but the W210 chassis feels a little more solid than the W124, but the interior quality is not there.

Beech · #10 12-21-2002, 06:09 PM

Oh yeah---one more interesting difference between the 95 and 97. Same engine, but the 95 gets unreal mileage--700 plus miles per tank, and the 97 squeezes only 550.
Did I mention how cheap Mercedes is to not put a glove box in the 95? Yeah I know that they would have had to redesign the 124 dash, but thats their tough luck. You can look at a real oil pressure gauge in the 95 verses the 97. Wow good and bad in both years.

#11 12-26-2002, 07:35 PM

I own a gas W124 ('94) and a diesel '99. The climate control on the '94 is terrible where the climate control on the '99 is the best. Other than that I love both the cars because they both have their strengths, but they are different and drive very differently.