[s-cars] NAC - Benz 300E Questions

[Michael Lardizabal]

.....so true about the torque.
 
I had a 96 C36 AMG that would just rip the tires all day long. Even w/ the ASR button ON.
 
As far as the headgasket...yes the later I-6 motors had a rep of going thru them, but its not too bad a price to pay for what you get in return. I think that once they're done at the typical 110K- 125K mark, they're good for maybe more the next time about. I think once the block has gone thru a few heat cycles, the HG isn't as prone .
 
As far as the 190E, the only one worth any effort is the Cossie, but I agree. The interior fit and finish is .....well, at least its a lightweight car w/ a dogleg 5 and an intake sound thats insane.  
--- On Mon, 12/7/09, Kent McLean <kentmclean at comcast.net> wrote:


From: Kent McLean <kentmclean at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [s-cars] NAC - Benz 300E Questions
To: "s-car-list" <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Date: Monday, December 7, 2009, 2:54 PM


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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