highest mileage 300E/W124

[samiam44]

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

[ps2cho]

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...

[matthias08]

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)

[gsxr]

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.

[Crazy_Nate]

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

[long-gone]

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.

[ps2cho]

Originally Posted by long-gone

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?

[long-gone]

Originally Posted by ps2cho

Is there any oil on the spark plugs?

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.

[anthonyb]

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.

[ps2cho]

Originally Posted by long-gone

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.

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...

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.

[mb300e4m]

I'm at 226k miles and doing the head gasket. I am looking at a sensor in the 4matic system and a tired spring on the driver front wheel. The car is not stored in a garage an is getting a few spots of rust. I am/will be fixing all that is working as my target is 320k miles/500k kilometers.

If you don't mind repairs over new car payments keep this car. I have a self-leveling suspension, electric mirrors and the best ride available. The best thing is that it doesn't take synthetic oil, require MB fluids, and an independent mechanic can work on it.

[gsxr]

Originally Posted by mb300e4m

The best thing is that it doesn't take synthetic oil, require MB fluids, and an independent mechanic can work on it.

While you don't have to use MB fluids... at least for the anti-freeze, you should use either MB or Zerex G-05 (they are the same thing - yellow color, low-silicate formula). If you have the high-silicate evil green stuff in there, change it ASAP. I'll ignore the synthetic comment, if you choose not to use them, that's fine... you simply won't reap any of the benefits.

[J. M. van Swaay]

1994 E320 Wagon (104.992 motor) 234,xxx miles--fully expect to be driving it 10 years from now.......

It's our daily driver, it started life as the MB roadside service vehicle for a dealer in Kansas, my parents bought it in 1995 with 6K miles. All service done in accordance with the MB schedule--I have every receipt since brand new. My parents were going to trade it in and asked if we wanted it. I very reluctantly accepted. That was the start of my 124 addiction.

J. M. van Swaay

[muleears]

87 300D Turbo 351K, original motor (except head) and trans.