So.. I had a 95 c280, got rear ended, and had a 87 300e sitting in the garage, so i spent the money i got from the totaled c280 for the 300e..

Man she was a beauty (anacite grey mettalic exterior with palamino interior)
had some slk wheels on it
i think my mom got it for 1500$ or something, OVP relay went bad, she stopped driving it, i replaced that, put a sound system, did a major tune up etc..

Long story short now shes wrecked.. i should have fixed her with insurance but technically i guess it was my fault so i didn't since i couldnt use the point stupid of me i should have!

i think she had the best paint color, then i love the red and dark blue equally.

anyways lets skip to the real stuff so the 3.0L m103 it always felt underpowered, but it was a good simple great engine that drank ALOT

my c280, felt zippy, but the m103 felt like it had alot more torque, it would actually pull me back to my seat..

i've done alot of w124 study, and I love the 300ce, but i do want a facelift engine and was wondering how much better the 3.2L is better than the 3.0L m104 (powerwise)

the m119 i love it, but like peachparts review says, it did lose alot of the tossability the 300e had but the only m119 i drove was a 1995, but it was in TERRIBLE shape.. he was willing to let it go for 1200$ (poor thing had been abused and neglected to hell) but man could i feel its power, even though i just cruised around residential maybe 30mph max, no WOT

my next car, i want it to be another w124, but i'm leaning towards the coupe
the vert is cool, but i doubt i can afford it, and the wagon, i like it but i don't see myself driving it

my next w124, i really want a m104, as it is updated or a m119, but the m119 maintenance costs are pretty up there even for a tuneup it seems which im willing to pay.

but right now, im like BROKE! i make only like 150$ a week (i only work 2 days because of school, and might work even less because of school)

but i tried many cars, but i hate them.. i know without at least 3k its going to be hard to find a decent w124 with major things like wire harness or tranny or ETA done (for the m119)
but i'm trying to get another one..

now my question to the forum members are how much more powerful is the 3.0L m104 vs the 3.2 m104, and or should i just go with a m119? (as i don't want to be in the same situation i was with my c280)

and also a WTB i guess

Hate to rain on your parade, but the LAST thing you need is a cheap Mercedes at this point in your life. Spend your free time getting through school, get a decent job, THEN indulge in a MB. Buy a decent Jap car that will economically get you around without demanding all your money and time.

Jim

__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Gabzor,
I agree with Jim. I have a sign in my garage that says"WARNING, there is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes"
I bought a salvage title 300CE cheap and now have over 10 grand invested. I love the car but Mercedes are special cars with NEEDS.
And answering your question, you will love the 104 engine. But then I have a 119 car also and love it.
I'd start looking at 4 banger Civics and then work your way up.
Anziani
'93 300CE 202K
'95 E420 122K

heh both my mercedes were "cheap mercedes" so i know.. lots of time and money needs to be spent, but the w124 wasn't so bad.. the c280 it was good once i did alot of transmission stuff not to mention the price of cheap gas..
i drove my mom's 2011 accord around for a while, but she returned it cause she couldn't afford it or something but man did i hate it..
and thought to myself the gas and all the time and work is worth it...

the problem is, most of the civics and stuff out there is CRAP and its about the same price as a good w124, when it gets up over 4000$ range

Gabzor, It also depends on how mechanically inclined you are and how much patience you have as well. Case in point, tranny will cost at least $1500 for a partial rebuild if the common reverse bands go out, but if you do it yourself, its about $300-500 and will take you a weekend or two. Main engine wiring harness was easy if your comfortable and careful but the part is $700-900. I have not done the head gasket yet. Also a lot of small issues here and there as it is approaches 18 years old.

My wife had her civic for 10 years and we gave it to her brother 6 years back. Still drive great and is cheap and easier to fix...even to pay someone else to do it. Man I like those cars. I replaced the radiator with OEM for $55 shipped and took less than an hr.

mechanical things for the car arn't cheap that i know.. just hoping i get lucky

and don't forget things like the ETA.. i've learned i need to slow down and get more patient while working on my old m103 actually, i used to install intakes and little ricer things for my friends back in highschool during lunch time hahaha

i looked at a mercedes and it was alot tougher, but even with the premium i have to pay, i think my job might be able to cover it.. barely.. but probably..

i mean don't get me wrong im looking at civics and corollas too right now.. but the w124s that are in crap condition seem to be better condition than any corolla or civic but well see

i might be an idiot, and buy a w124 hopefully with some stuff done to it so i can enjoy it even if its a little

i mean obviously i won't go blind and just go ahead and buy like i did with the c280 and my old 300e

ETA or EHA?

How about a Protege or Sentra? I'm not keen on a high mileage Mitsubishi. They seem to cut head gaskets from the same pattern as the M104.

Sixto
87 300D

eta - elecronic throttle actuator on the m119's

maybe a protege, their not bad

Oops, I thought you found an M103 with an ETA

I'm always recruiting for Diesel Discussion. Can we interest you in a MB Diesel to get you through school?

Sixto
87 300D

i never drove a diesel honestly, but im going to need at least 120hp
i've also been looking at miatas which seems to be in better condition than civics, a bit more fun, and not in crap shape like the 240sx's around here..

my mechanic has a 300ce with an m119 swap so i guess he technically has a eta in a i6 body

My mechanic has an 87 300D exactly like mine. Same VIN and everything. My kids call him dad

Sixto
87 300D