Funny, this is my first post outside of the tech help thread...


So I have a great '86 300E, but it won't last forever. I don't think that a Mercedes made in the 90s is worth the cash. I've heard that many people don't like them because they feel cheap or are much less reliable. I certainly can't afford a new one, but they do look pretty solid.

Do I try a bimmer? That can't be a dirty word here, there are a ton of old model BMW message boards and clubs out there. I'm sure the community is similar to this one. I found a couple around the 99-2000 years that look really nice, but I'm curious what years and models were the best values.

It's obviously a slow work day, and I'm just curious some of your opinions on what direction to head in. Thanks for the help -Joe

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'86 300E (241K)

Just my .2 cents here but my aunt has a 94 mercedes and its really nice had it for 2 years now and only problem she had was an O2 sensor, uncle has a 93 sport mercedes had a valve cover leak and needed brakes (expensive cause its a sport model and all) and an AC compressor replacement (that was way pricey) but i have not seen too many serious problems with them...but for my money i would buy a nice 80 something 300 series and restore it....but like i said my .2 cents worth

Depends on what you want. I'm a dieselhead, so that's another thing. My '91 was basically your car with a lot more creature comforts and updates, you can buy the E320 which is your car with updates and more power through '95 I believe, might start there.

My brother's BMW 740iL was a horrible car in his opinion, they are no better built than M-B, usually a little lighter and faster, not as solid, a good 2nd choice to the M-B, on the other hand I'd rather have an S6 or A8 Audi than pretty much any modern BMW sedan.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Joe,

We've owned W124s since 1993, 1 86, 4 87s, 1 93, 1 95. Gas, diesel, stick, auto, 6, V-8, sedan and wagon.

If anything, the newer the car, the nicer it is.

You've got the known issues with evaporator and wiring, but everything you love about your 86, you'll find in a 95.

As an all 'round daily car, you cannot beat a W124. When we finally replaced our trusty 300TD after 13 years, I sought out a "perfect" 95 E320T, and paid more than what I could have purchased a W210 wagon for....

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

I like the BMWs, but what I've found is that they don't age as well as teh MBs. If you're going to stay in the MB family, I'd suggest a 1994-1995 w124. Great cars, still less trouble than the w210s.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Looking beyond the mechanicals, which maintanance records will show on BMW, MB, Audi, etc, you will not find an interior that holds up like MB. I have a 79 300SD, a 78 300D, an 85 300D and an 87 300D and all the interiors are almost new in appearance. Only in a Benz will you find interiors good for 25 plus years with little signs of wear, seats still comfortable, windows that dont howl, etc.

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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

If you love your car why are you contemplating something else? Does your car have "issues"? Have you figured out what repairing those items would cost?

I am in much the same position. I have owned my '86 300E for almost 20 years and I despair of the thought driving something other than MB. I am looking at needing a head redo but even that expense will pale compared to making payments on something else PLUS I'll still be driving something I love.

As my valued mechanic Rudy would say, "Fahren Sie es, bis es fällt" = Drive it until it drops!

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62 220sb
67 250S
72 280SE 4.5
74 280C
77 300D
82 240D
85 190E 2.3
86 300E RIP 12/28/09
85 300SD
92 300D 2.5
00 E320 Current
Over 1,000,000 miles in Benzes, Since66

....and a whole passel of BMW 2002 and Tii

Go drive a 94 or 95 E320. you won't want to go back. Its the same chassis, same body, etc. but its so much more refined. A good one can be had if you take the time to weed out the beaters. I probably overpaid for my sedan (78K miles, all records since new) but after replacing the engine harness and tires, it looks and runs like a new car. Plus its damn fast. Only problem is that its now on loan to my mom .

Also, my uncle in Germany was fond of saying "in a Mercedes you have an accident. In a BMW you die".

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Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

My good man, I beg to differ with you. I have a 1990 420 SEL that is positively deluxe.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

I agree with POS, look for a 94-95 E320 wagon, sedan, coupe or convertible. It will have the EFI motor instead of CIS. Leather interior, and some other nice little late model mods.

Or you could get the 95 E300 diesel, nice car too. M606 motor, non turbo, but great mileage, etc.

You can also add 1993 model years for EFI M104 engines. MB changed the motors in 1993, but didn't bother changing the badge until 1994.

The 1993 300E has the same 3.2 liter engine '94-'95 E320s (124.032).

The 1993 300E 2.8 was the only year the 2.8 liter M104 engine was ever offered in this chassis. It is the same motor as the C280 from '94-'97.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Paul, I was suggesting the latest model with facelift, but yes the 1993 does have the M104 engine, he could even get a 2.8L 300E if he wished.

Roger that.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Agreed, the w124's drive like dream. However with the cost of the wiring harness, the threat of the evaporator going and the annoying leaks of the head gasket, you are taking a crap shoot. BTW, the trannys are also suspect. My 93 BMW 525iT Wagon has been more trouble free than the Mercedes Benzs that I have owned. I bought it with 132K miles 2 years ago and now it has 176K with only the radiator going. My 95 E320 with 78K drove great but the tranny went at 85K, the front suspension went at 125K. My 95 E320 Wagon with 125K, the radiator and water pump went at 138K and the dreaded evaporated went with 145K. My 97 E420 with 122K, the tranny went at 140K and the A/C condensor and aux fan went at 145K. Yes they ride smoother and more powerful than my BMW but they cost much more to maintain.

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85 300CD Signal Red/Tan sold
83 300D Manganese Brown 109K
97 E420 Midnight Blue 197K sold
98 BMW 328i Vert White 100K, sold
95 BMW 525i White 125K, sold
93 BMW 525iT Red 193K, sold
95 E320 Green Wagon 125K, sold
94 E320 White 127K, sold
85 300SD 156K Grey (Annie), sold
84 300D Lapis Blue 170K (Judy), sold
99 ML 320 Black (lease), 1998 C230 White (lease)
00 Honda S2000 Red (lease)
86 Mercedes 300E (sold)
84 Porsche 911 Red (sold), 1965 Porsche 911 White (sold)

I agree with some of that, but I look at the head gasket and wiring harness as a one time only event. Once you get passed it, it'll never need replacing again.

I see the evaporator mentioned a lot for W124's, by my mechanic tells me that the problem mainly affected the earlier models, and while the later models sometimes do need them replaced, it is much less common.

The 722.3 tranny, though, I disagree with your assessment. They are very durable, and rarely break. And if they do, my mechanic installs them for $1,200 installed.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".