W124 1992 300e vs 1994 e280.

[smoothcoupe]

Which would be the best car to go for interms of long term reliability driving pleasure etc. The 300e has 105k with full history on the clock the e280 156k with history. The e280 is the facelift model and has the 24v engine, am i right in saying that there is a wiring harness issue with these later 124s or does this Plague the prefacelift 300e as well. Thanxs.

 

[d w124]

Only the later m104 has the loom problem.The m103 engine found on 300e is very reliable without any major problem.If is the look you`re worried,you might also consider the 300-24

 

[MD5]

I own an 88 300CE and a 96 E280T. Both are great engines, likely to have leaky head gaskets, which can go on for thousands of miles (subjectively) without the need for replacement. The 280 is the smoother, quieter and livelier drive, but, as stated, has the issue with the wiring loom. I enjoy driving both, but maybe the self levelling suspension on the estate and being eight years younger enhances the pleasure more so. If you haven't already, you need to drive both.

As with all cars, buy on condition, but do you have a preference over the facelift, or would you rather have the extra 50k miles head start over the 280? My 300CE has done about 148k and is still going strong after 12 years or so of ownership, so if you are looking for long term, the mileage may be your deciding factor.

 

[kth286]

You have to watch for valve guide wear on the 103 engines.

Smoke from oil getting past the guides into bores will be revealed.

Head off job.

 

[219]

I've had both a 12V 300TE and a 24V 300TE-24 .

Both cars ran reliably , the first up to 198K at which point the diff packed in and I sold the car for spares . The 24 valve car was on it's second engine at 430,000 miles , the original unit having been replaced at 380,000 - this was a one owner car and the history was supplied by the main dealer where the car was bought new and always maintained .

Some will mention oil leaks on the M103 and 104 engines , but I have never experienced more than a slight 'sweat' from the front ends of the camboxes .- this is with two M103's , one M104 and four M110 ( older but very similar ) .

One issue that does affect the M103 and the 300-24 versions of the M104 , which has the older EZL ignition system , is that the distributor caps can be short lived - sometimes lasting as little as 30,000 miles - not difficult to replace , but moderately expensive and inconvenient if one goes when you are out : I was once stranded when the centre carbon electrode disintegrated - always carried a spare after that .

Both M103 and M104 engines are smooth , reliable and powerful - strangely 24V versions seem smoother than 12V , despite more moving parts !

As above , the loom issue only affects the later engines with distributorless HFM ignition .

Change the oil and filters regularly in accordance with specifications and you won't go far wrong .

 

[smoothcoupe]

To be honest with you i prefer the look of the pre face lift 124. Also i dont know if its me but it seems to have more of a solid and quality feel to it. The only other thing i would change is the eight hole alloys, i think they look great but need to be larger. Is there a eight hole wheel available larger than 15", i think ive seen the larger variety on a 500e.

 

[trapperjohn]

8 holes are available in 16"