Hey guys

I am currently a 1990 Infiniti Q45 owner and due to some mechanical work needed to my vehicle I am currently looking at a 1988 300E. The car looks good and drives ok. Doesn't have the power of the Q but hey. I would like to ask you guys to post what are the pros and cons of these vehicles. I would like to make an informed decision here. So please any and all comments and opinions geared towards this vehicle would be greatly appreciated.

'88 300E is a good car with a single overhead cam "103" engine. One of the best gasoline engines MB built. Make sure the a/c works like it should. Can be expensive to replace the evaporator if it needs a new one.

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Jim

Well is that it guys

I thought I would be bombarded with info.

Reliability?

Tranny?

How about the motor?

Well is that it guys

I thought I would be bombarded with info.

Reliability?

Tranny?

How about the motor?

By the way thank you engatwork

How many miles on it? These cars generally need a rebuilt of the suspension components, for an '88, its prob all been done. Lots of people have issues with idling, often due to the OVP. They often need head gasket and valve seal work around 150,000mi. My car has had all new cooling parts, including thermostat, water pump and rad. A new voltage regulator for the alternator, the starter was rebuilt, oxygen sensor and motor mounts. Other than that, its been rock solid, until just recently, my transmission is acting up. Mind you these repairs were over a period of 4 years and my car has 330,000kms (210,000 mi).

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"Picture Me Rollin' In My AMG Benz"


Past Cars:
2001 E430 4Matic
1990 300E 2.6
1973 450 SEL
1977 300D

Tell us more about your needs, and ability to do-it-yourself, or your ability to pay others to do-it-for-you. I bought a 94 E320 in November 03 with 86,000 miles for uner $10K. Had some records, but not complete. Drove it home 1300 miles and was pleasantly surprised to average 28 mpg. Since, have replaced front rotors and pads, rear shock absorbers, spark plugs, thermostat, antifreeze, fuel fliter, steering shock absorber, changed trans fluid, and oil changes every 3K miles. Now at 97,000 miles and no problems whatever. Slight headgasket leak in the expected area, but dealer's mechanic at a DIY clinic sponsored by the Washington, DC chapter of MBCCA says watch it but don't fix it at this time. Took a trip to Vermont and New hampshire and loved every minute in the car even when creeping along the NJ Turnpike. In short, find a good E Class, be prepared to maintain it, and you will not be sorry. But if you want a 'bulletproof' car, then stay with Japanese. My wife's 96 Nissan Maxima has 125,000 miles and we have never put a dime into anything but consumables.

Hope this helps.

regards,

Mark

The Q isnt as "bulletproof" as you may think. There is the chain guide issue on the 90-93 model. With the engine in the car total this can cost you about $1500. My Q has 169000 miles and blows blue smoke out the exhaust and leaky valve cover seals. Right now the car has a shake to it and I have been told maybe it is one of the fuel injectors or the timing has jumped one tooth or maybe just a tuneup. It looks real nice with some new parts on it. But another engine would cost $1000+ $800 in labor and probably another $1000 in parts IE seals, gaskets, knock sensors with harness etc. I just dont know. Believe or not according to the prices I have seen on this site the Benz parts are cheaper!!!

Unbelievable isnt it.

I am still in the debate stage though.

Just trying to guage what kind of a car the 300E is

By the way the one I am looking at has 59000 miles.

The only real issues with M103 equipped 300E cars at this point is age. They're getting old! Some of the very early M103 engines had some valve seal issues and the AC evaporator can go south, but otherwise they're very robust cars.

Our 190E 2.6 has basically the same engine, and at 400K she's never been open. The tranny is also original and never had any work other than service. Our car has NOT been babied by any stretch of the imagination, as it's been a "beater" for us for a few years now. It burns no oil, pulls strong, shifts great, and the AC still blows cold.

If I were shopping for a 300E, I would look hard for a 1992 model. I like the M103 and would find the best example possible.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

I didnt really shop for the 300E but it kind of fell in my lap. If I were shopping for a benz it would be a 94 S body. Damn those cars are nice. But those are too pricey for me at this stage in my young life.

Keep the info coming guys.

these cars have timing chains correct?

Well, the S-class W140 (which is what the '94 is) is one awesome automobile, (a model similar probably never to again be built), but it is expensive (even still, considering it's age) and does has its warts. I look at mine (a '92) as an aging, beautiful, hooker: Too sexy and too beautiful to get rid of, but hate paying to have her as a "kept lady".
The W124 is another vehicle altogether. It is (if I am wrong, please correct me) the most popular car in MB history as far as sales in the US and for good reason. The 103 engine (inline 6) is a time-proven workhorse that is bullet-proof if you maintain it, and the cars go for upwards of 4-500,000 miles. My 18 year old 300E has more power than a lot of brand new cars, with a transmission that leaks a little but shifts smoother than most out there, and it's well over 200k and counting!

Every car is different, but if you get a well-maintained W124, you generally can consider it a good buy!

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1996 SL320 97K miles
1996 C220 130k miles
1992 500SEL 170k miles <---sold
1986 300E 216k miles <---sold

MB parts can be bought at considerable discount and appear cheaper than equiavalent parts for other cars considering the difference in MSRP of the car to begin with. If a $20,000 car takes a $5 filter, does a $60,000 car take a $15 filter? But that's a generalization. It's unlikely that you can have a shop replace an M103 for $2000 and have it be worth the money in the long run. On the other hand a $2000 valve job will likely put an M103 in a position to double the miles racked up to date. You have to pick carefully who works on your MB. Chances are an AAMCO tranny rebuild won't make it around the block.

I guess the point is that MBs make economic sense as keepers. The up front cost of getting a used one in shape will pay off over time. If you plan to have the car for two or three years, get something else as you'll never recoup your costs... or maybe that's not important to you.

I'm with John, look for a well maintained 92 vs a low miles 88. Low miles are good to a certain point. MBs deteriorate from lack of use.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Oh yeah guys I am loving the info keep it coming. You guys post more than mbworld. Anyway if I do get the benz it would be a straight up trade, no money spent on price of vehicle. I love the 94 also. This 300E looks nice and ran pretty good too. Like I said though it doesn't have the power of the Q but I didnt expect it too. I am looking for something long term. Not looking to have it and then sell it later.

Pros: Its a MB, classic looks and solid. Does the
300e come with maintanence history?

Cons: "103" engines seem to need head gasket work
and in general MB maintanence is higher. If you love
the 300e get it and be willing to pay a bit more to keep
it running.

A good used Subaru, Infinity G20 etc may be a better choice
for the money.

Dave
96 Subaru outback
91 MB 190e 2.6
73 BMW 2002

The Q45 is a very pricey car to keep on the road. The engine bay is crowded, and parts are as much or more than Mercedes bits. Any year 300E will be less costly than an early Q-car. Q45 autoboxes don't seem to last much longer than 150K-miles and engine work can be very expensive. Timing chains alone can break the bank, but most of the V-8's start to get weak at that point anyway.

As to M103 head gaskets, they do not fail with the regularity of the M104 engine. Most 103's live their whole lives without the gasket failing.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

A 94 E320 can cost anywhere from $1000-2000 per year to maintain properly.

Engine, transmission, body can go well over 500K miles but there are some weak area's.

eg. for a 94 E320 some common failure items

Evaporator $2000.00
Headgasket $2200.00
AC control unit $300.00
Wiring Harness $650.00
60K mile service $700.00
Aux Fans $350.00
AC mono valve $300.00
Air flow sensor $300.00
Alignment $140.00
Engine computer rare failure $2100.00
Electronic throttle $1500.00
OVP $70.00
Fuel Pump Relay $25.00

Toyota is cheaper to operate.

If the items listed above have been replaced with redesigned components, then the operating cost can be somewhat lower than the $1000-2000 range.

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Zafar
94 E320 58000 Miles