Hi All

I have been researching Mercedes-Benz vehicles for close to a year now and have narrowed it down to the E320 from 1994 to 1995. (possibly a super clean ’90-’93 300E)
I had also seriously considered the 300D and E300D, but the diesel seems very hard to come by, thus limiting my selection.

However, all that I have read on the internet portrays these automobiles as being rather problematic and not very reliable. Or is this only a handful of unsatisfied owners as compared to the thousands of satisfied owners?
I understand that the A/C may be problematic, the original engine wiring harness becomes brittle and cracks, that the cylinder head gasket may be problematic, often confused with a leaky valve cover gasket, and that the electric window motors/switches can be problematic. Are the above a one time fix, or are they re-accruing problems?

Also, if well maintained how many miles can be expected from the petrol engine and automatic transmission?

I also understand that these cars are money pits if taken to the dealer for repair and maintenance. So how friendly are they for the do-it-yourselfer, and what code reader is recommended?

I will be doing all of my own work on the vehicle, I have a very large selection of tools and will readily purchase any specialty tools that I don’t already have.

Are there any other items to look for when buying, and is a pre-buy inspection recommended since it will take me a few months to “learn” the car?

So, my final question to you ’93 –’95 owners is; how happy are you really with your vehicle and would you buy another one?

As you can tell by my sig, we own 2 of them. Can't imagine not having those cars to drive,,,, granted I have done a fair amount of work on them, but over the long term they have been fantastic. Have owned the 400 for 10 years, and the TE for 3. Am now looking for a 500E,,, in smoke silver of course.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

My ''95 is the best, most reliable car I've ever owned. Which means that I don't know what goes wrong with them.

Now my '88, Hah!

Search the "Featured Cars" forum. You'll find more info than you'd believe over there.

B

There were well-documented issues with the W124-series models, such as the head gasket on the M104 engine, the aluminum A/C evaporator, the deteriorating main wiring harness, the loose soldering on the overvoltage protection relay, and the weak radiator inlet neck.

Note that most, if not all of those problems manifested themselves between 75-150K of mileage use, so more than likely, have been dealt with by current or previous owners. I might add, that the repairs for the above-mentioned OEM components were replaced with improved versions. Except for the OVP and radiator, the other repairs were rather expensive if facilitated at the dealership.

Despite those issues, the car remains one of the most reliable MB ever made.

The real issue here however, is that you are perusing models that are well-worn by this time anyway. You will probably be dealing with normal wear and tear stuff before you have to face any major repairs...suspension components get soft, motor mounts collapse, leaks develop, and interior pieces break.

Still, a lot of this model can be repaired with a minimal investment in metric tools and basic mechanical skills. Parts can be obtained for a reasonable cost, and repairs will last for awhile.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Have put an evaporator in the 400, but the wiring is original and still seems to be fine in both cars.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

If I were going to purchase a car nicer than my '84 300SD (is there one?) I believe it would be the '95 E300 non turbo.

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Jim

Thanks all for the comments.

I do not care for all the hi-tec gizmoes and dodads on the newer vehicles so will be looking for a 1995 or older, (plus I don't really care for the "bug eye" round headlights) even if it means rebuilding the engine or transmission.

Thanks again