I'm looking for a car to replace my 86 300E that was totalled last year and found a 92 300E for sale. Are there any particular problems this year had that I should be aware of, i.e. disintegrating wiring loom, leaking head gasket, valve guide seals, etc.

Does it have the same M103 engine that my 86 has? Is the M104 a better engine, reliability-wise?

Are there any significant differences between the 86 and 92?

I had bought a complete Sportline kit just before my car bit the dust and it was never installed. Will the same parts fit the 92?

What would be a reasonable price for a low mileage (under 90K) car in the L.A. area? (not sure at this point if it has service records or not)

Thanks for any help

One of the best MB's ever made! I would own one of those.

Not much difference from the earlier cars except improvements thru out the car.

Better "look", stereo, trim, & refined engine.

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Listen to MB Doc...he is correct. I bought a 91 300 CE coupe for my wife last year and it is an incredible automobile...if it is clean, buy it. You will not be disapointed.

Antonino

Yeah, 1992 was the last year of the 300E with the M103 engine, and there were really no issues with this car.

1993 300E's had new engines: 300E's had the 3.2 liter M104 engine, and 300E 2.8 had the 2.8 liter M104 engine.

1993 cars also had crumbling engine wiring harness problems, head gasket leaks, etc.

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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".

FYI the m103 (2.6 and 3.0) also had head gasket failures causing oil/coolant to mix. Be sure to check the coolant for a chocolate milkshake like consistency.

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Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE

Are there likely to be any problems with valve guide seals if they haven't been replaced, or was that just with the earlier cars?

Valve guide seals wear out regardless of manufacture date, but the actual problem was with valve guides that were too hard, but that affected only the earliest 300E's. I don't know when the problem was fixed, but surely before 1992.

BTW, I see you're in Monrovia. You're very lucky. Monrovia has a fantastic downtown there off of Myrtle.

I'm not too far from you. I'm in Phillips Ranch, between Diamond Bar and Chino Hills.

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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".

Thanks for the reply to both my posts Paul. I really appreciate the information. I learned a lot I didn't know.

You're right, downtown Monrovia is getting better all the time. Right now there in the middle of redoing the sidewalks and parking so it's kind of a mess.

I looked at a 92 300E and a 91 300CE today, but wasn't impressed with either of them. The 300E was kind of rough around the edges and the CE seemed down on power, although it rode very nicely. I think I'll keep looking for a really nice, low mileage 92 300E though. If you should happen to run across one in your daily travels, please pm me.

Thanks again,

Gary

Thanks for all the responses from everybody. I appreciate it very much.
This forum is great!

Gary

You got it. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

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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".

My 92 CE runs like a champ and the power is in the higher speed ranges, more than in takeoffs from the start. It accelerates very quickly though and when you are doing 60 on the freeway and want to go 90, it does the jump in very quick time. I think the power the car delivers from a straight six is very, very good, but you have to give it the gas. BC

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)