Ok Guys,

My car has been very reliable - the 86' only has 120,000 miles. How is reliability over 200k? Anyone got 300 or 400,000 miles on a M103?


Michael

I consistently see over 250k at the junkyard, a few over 300k every now and again. The norm is 250k. I think they were probably retired from something other than engine failure. I wouldn't doubt the M103 could see 500k with the right maintenance. But yes there will be a lot of head gasket + valve jobs...

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

a caddy dealer here in Dayton had a 300E 4Matic with 233k on it, and everything still functioned as intended, the only reason I walked was the early 4Matic system (don't even need to think about it)

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Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k

My 1987 300D currently has 306kmi on the clock and I plan to run it basically forever. Photos are posted here. On a recent trip through some national parks in Utah, I averaged over 31mpg on three complete tanks of fuel (over 520 miles per tank, so it wasn't a fluke). Original engine & tranny, too! The MPG probably would have been a tad higher if my car was stock... I'm sure the heavier wheels / tires / brakes / aftermarket stereo / etc don't help any.

My white '87 met an untimely demise with 247kmi thanks to an inattentive driver. I had sold my 1986 300E to a friend, and I believe he now has approx 270kmi on it, still running great, original engine & tranny, no major issues with anything on the car. I have heard of other 124's going well past 500kmi but I don't have any links or details handy.

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

I could be mistaken, but, I think Larry Bible has a high mileage 300E

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1982 240D, sold 9/17/2008
1987 300D TurboW124.133 - 603.960, 722.317 - Smoke Silver Metallic / Medium Red (702/177), acquired 8/15/2009
262,715 and counting

91 300E 2.6, 218K, all original. Still runs as good as ever. As a matter of fact I just recently put about $2K rebuilding the top end since I figured I couldn't get a much better, more reliable car for that money, and mechanically I know this one pretty well. I plan to redo the brakes, shocks, exhaust and some other preventive items. I expect to get at least another 8-10 years out of it.
It does blow a puff of smoke when I get on it, rings I'm afraid, so if I'm going to get my expectation, I'll need to drive it easy (a challenge for me) and keep up the oil changes.

Is there any oil on the spark plugs?

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Hi Ps2cho, I don't know, I've yet to pull them and see how it's doing.
As you probably know, when people find out you can fix cars, you become the involuntary fleet mechanic for family and friends! Next thing you know, you neglect your own cars.
It got new seals and intake guides (machine shop said the exhaust guides were tight). I was less than diligent about changing the oil before the top engine work. I drove it for almost a year with the blown head gasket, and since I was adding oil regularly because of that, I was letting the service intervals spread.
Since I only paid $500 for it I wasn't that concerned about it then, but now that I've grown to appreciate the reliability and drivability, I wish I'd have been better about it.

My parents have an '87 that had 287k on the odometer when it stopped a few years ago, now it likely has over 300k on it. They also have a '91 that has a little over 200k on it. Both are still actively driven.

I would definitely pull all 6 (not just one) and check the color of the plugs to make sure its not burning oil.

Sorry to threadjack...

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

I just had my 18 yo son go through the "Street Survival" course (sponsored by TireRack and BMW) with his/my '88 300E, which has about 160K on it. He HAMMERED that car and it ran like a total champ. Runs great, burns no oil.

Rgds,
Chris W.

Hi,my 1991 300CE has 230,000 thousand miles on it and runs ,drives like new.Everything works from cruise to 10 disc cd player.Paint is original and perfect.Inside like new .No leaks.
Has been well maintained.
Thanks
Rich

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88 300E White, sold 9-04
88 190E Black 2.3 sold
90 300CE White, Grey sold 12-24-04
92 400E White,Grey Sold 5-06
90 300CE 91K Signal Red,Black Sold 2007
1989 300CE Smoke silver,Tan Sold 1-08
1993 300E 3.2 M104 motor
1991 300CE White,Grey
1994 E420 beautiful car,gone to new home
1994 E320 Smoke an Parchment.Beautiful car

See my signature

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Keep us posted especially if your problem is solved
Present cars:
My car: E-class 420CDI, 2008, W211, V8, 180 000km

Wife's one: C-class 220CDI Sport Coupé, Euro, 2002, W203. 345 000km

Son's one: GLK class 220CDI, 2009, W204

Sold E class 260E, W124, 1988 beloved car sold after 489 000 kilometres of reliable services (engine M103, clutch and 5 speed manual gear box all original).

E-class, W210 320CDI, 2000[/B], 225 000km, Sold

480,000 kilometers is about 298,000 miles.

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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 88, five speed 300E has 314,900 miles. I have the 500,000 Km badge paperwork filled ouit and will getting it sent off in the next few weeks.

The car is in fabulous condition mechanically, but cosmetically will win no prizes. I would not be in the least afraid to jump in it and head on a very long distance trip. The car is a real joy to drive. It has a 500E rear sway bar and a relatively fresh set of Bilsteins. It could use a better set of tires, but it's peppy, reliable and fuel efficient.

The 300E IMHO is one of MB's best ever. For me it is only eclipsed by the simplicity of the 123 cars.