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  #1  
Old 07-08-2004, 03:53 PM
Peyton300TD's Avatar
S124 owner
 
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Location: Marina Del Rey, CA
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1993 w124's problematic?

I am in the search for another car and found out from my mechanic that the 1993 w124 300E's are more problematic than the 1992 and 1991's - something about electrical issues, wiring harnasses, head gaskets, and transmission.

is this true? should i stay away from 1993 and focus on 1991 or 1992?

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  #2  
Old 07-08-2004, 04:24 PM
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true the 93's have the head gaskets and so forth, but I must say mine has been a great car.
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Old 07-08-2004, 04:49 PM
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My harness was fixed under extended warranty.

My head gasket is the original and so far has held nicely (knock on zebrano...which you don't get to do on the pre-93 W124s).

Transmission hasn't called itself to attention.

My only real electrical anomaly is burnt-out bulbs.

Otherwise, I have a host of annoying little repairs needed due to what is commonly known as "age"...in fact I hear the telltale sounds of noisy air pump pulley bearings.

But despite the old gal needing a lot of TLC, it has been going like the energizer bunny.

Oldest in my fleet, but used most often!
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  #4  
Old 07-09-2004, 03:09 PM
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1993's have M104 engines, while 1992 and older 300E's have M103 engines.

M103's and M104's both suffer from head gasket failures, i.e., oil leaking externally at the head gasket.

M103's suffer from valve guide wear, while M104's don't.

M104's on 1993-1995 300E's / E320's have problem with engine wiring harnesses deteriorating. The harness is $500 for the part.

I prefer the m104 engine because it is more powerful and refined.

However, I would still by the car in the best condition with the best maintenance record.
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  #5  
Old 07-09-2004, 03:26 PM
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These issues may have been relevant if you had been W124-shopping eight years ago.

By this time, most of the classic issues (for any of those model years) have been rectified by the current or previous owners, as the typical mileage on these cars have reached the point where the problems have surfaced within that timeframe.

As with my car and many others that own one on this forum, you will probably experience wear-and-tear issues that will not fall under the items already posted by suginami and possibly others later on this thread.

Unless you manage to obtain a nice example by a fastiduous PO, expect to do some suspension tune-ups, especially bushings on the high-mileage examples.

You may have to deal with cooling systems components, an alternator or maybe a relay or two, and perhaps an oil pressure sensor, or coolant level sensor.

In other words...don't sweat the hearsay...these cars are probably beyond that.

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