1996 -97 E320
 

Hi I'm planning to buy an 96-7 e320 could somebody give me an advice on what to look for this car.Does the car have an M104 engine?Does it have a problem with wiring harness?Any feedback will be appreciated.

Ron

96-97 E320's have the same 3.2 liter M014 engine as in the 93 300E / 94-95 E320, and all the way until 1999 in W140 chasis S320's.

The 96-97's have OBD-II, not OBD-I like 93-95's.

The wiring harness is not a problem. The wiring harnesses were bad from 93-95.

The only thing I can think of is that the head gasket may develop a slight oil leak over time, at the right rear corner of the head gasket (the passenger side), and at the front 'C-shaped' area of the head where it seals with the timing chain cover.

The M104 engines are really smooth, quiet, and powerful. I think you'll love it.

Paul: Correction: the 1995 E320 was fully OBDII compliant (as will all 95 M104 motors, S320, C280, & E320). These models and The Infiniti G20 were the only OBD11 compliant cars in 1995.


And yes, the M104 motor really is a wonderful engine, very refined.

You mean I've been using that little LED light to read my emission code and all this time it is OBDII compliant? Where do I plug the scanner in?

I'm not certain, but I believe I've read here on this site that 95 E320's are not really OBD-I or OBD-II.

I guess you could call them OBD-I 1/2. They are a funny middle step between OBD-I and OBD-II.

You cannot plug a scanner tool into them.

We may have to ask Arthur Dalton. I think he's posted on this before.

What about the transmission?

1996 E320 - four speed
1997 E320 - five speed