OK, I'm still researching which w124 to buy - '90 through '95. If I understand right, The bottom ends of the motors in these cars is the same, but the heads are different. (sohc/dohc) If I get a '90-92, 300E, it's the old motor and if I get a 93-95, it's the new.

But the m103's also had a distributor and rotor while the m104 had ignition electronics integrated with the fuel injection system. (and, if I understand right, a different fuel injection system).

Since this stuff is all at least 11 years old, I'm wondering which of these injection/ignition systems has proven to be the most reliable and/or the cheapest to maintain. I haven't heard too many negative things about either of these systems. It seems the later stuff is superior, as long as it's durable. I tend to think that simpler is less failure-prone, but, head gasket issues aside, the feedback I'm getting is that the m104 is regarded as equally durable even though it's more complicated.

I'm looking at cars with around 100k miles...I'm bound to be looking at future repairs, and, if I can set a course now to have the motor that is less costly to maintain, I don't think I'll regret it, on the other hand, I think I'd probably enjoy the extra power of the m104 cars, and that motor also has it's share of fans - not to mention the other improvements, like the headlights, etc. on the newer cars.

I must say, though, I do prefer the grille before they inset it into the hood.

Any opinions?