[V8] 300E Beater

[Brian K. Ullrich]

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.