[s-cars] NAC - Benz 300E Questions

[AaronT]

Damn  you guys are good.
Thanks again!
Aaron

On Mon, Dec 7, 2009 at 12:54 PM, Kent McLean <kentmclean at comcast.net> wrote:

> More from the V8 list...
>
> -- Kent
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: RE: 300E Beater
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 13:46:06 -0600
> From: Brian K. Ullrich <bullrich at ullrichsys.com>
>
> As usual, Roger has the goods. I do differ on a few points though:
>
> The W124 chassis ran from 1984 to 1995. Badged primarily in the US as the
> 300E, it later changed to MB's new badging as the E320, etc. So, it covers
> a
> lot of cars, and differing model numbers, including the diesels, which can
> be easily visually distinguished by a fender vent on the right front.
>
> In my estimation, the best of the W124 cars are the 1993 and newer. They
> are
> the post-facelift cars, and include many newer features. I personally owned
> a 1990 and a 1995 W124 (300E and E320, respectively), and had little
> problems with either, but my 1995 W124 E320 was a smoker. That i6 was a
> torque-making fool. And it got great gas mileage.
>
> I do differ with Roger on one point about the 190 vs. 300/320: I feel that
> the 190 is a much inferior car to its larger cousin. The 190 is known as
> the
> W201 chassis, and in most US trim, it was equipped with a 2.2l 4 cylinder
> motor mated to a 3-speed auto (although the 2.6l 6-cylinders are available,
> and they are equipped with a 4-speed auto). Roger is correct in his
> assessment that a teenager could hardly get into too much trouble in this
> car, because it just ain't fast. However, I feel that this car is not a
> good
> choice because those motors revved so high at highway speeds (around 3K
> RPM)
> that it just put the engine at risk for failure, especially for
> high-mileage
> cars. Not to mention the fit and finish, which were just not really up to
> the standards of MB at the time.
>
> For my money, if I were to put my teen in a Benz, I'd find a later model
> W124, either diesel or gas, and call it a day. The best inline 6-cylinder
> engine MB ever built was the 3l/3.2l, and coupled with the W124 chassis, I
> think that makes the best sense. Compared to the 190/W201, parts are more
> plentiful, and it's easy to work on.
>
> Of course, this is just my opinion. My esteemed colleague, Mr. Woodbury,
> may
> have something else to say on the matter.
>
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