Buying Advice 300E 24V

[Mikey_W]

I'm looking for any advice about buying a 300E 24V. I have seen quite a few recently & they seem good value. I beleive they are quite quick! (e.g. BMW 535i etc)

Are really high miles a problem? I would want air-con, but is there any other "extras" i should have?

So really just some advice on any problems they can suffer from. I'm looking at cars around 1991J - 1993K.

Cheers,

Mike

Edited by Mikey_W on Monday 28th May 15:46

[iluvmercs]

Hmmmm....the 3 litre 24v engine isn't that refined, being quite thrashy. It redlines at about 7,000rpm

Its based on the 3 litre 12 valve unit, but to keep up with BMW, Mercedes hastily developed a twin cam, 4 valve per cylinder head. It tends to leak, and much of the power comes in at a high rev range than the 12 valve unit - so these units tend to receive more stress than the 12 valve unit.

Go for a 300E 12 valve car, or E320/320E with the later 3.2 24v unit.

As with all W124 E Classes, check for oil leaks around the engine block. If there is one, then the head gasket could need replacing. (~£1,000-1,500).
Clunky gearboxes, would need a replacement (~£2,000).

And then of course, rust on the wheel arches.

Darren

[Mikey_W]

iluvmercs said:

Hmmmm....the 3 litre 24v engine isn't that refined, being quite thrashy. It redlines at about 7,000rpm

Its based on the 3 litre 12 valve unit, but to keep up with BMW, Mercedes hastily developed a twin cam, 4 valve per cylinder head. It tends to leak, and much of the power comes in at a high rev range than the 12 valve unit - so these units tend to receive more stress than the 12 valve unit.

Go for a 300E 12 valve car, or E320/320E with the later 3.2 24v unit.

As with all W124 E Classes, check for oil leaks around the engine block. If there is one, then the head gasket could need replacing. (~£1,000-1,500).
Clunky gearboxes, would need a replacement (~£2,000).

And then of course, rust on the wheel arches.

Darren

Thanks for the advice Darren. I have looked at the 12 valve 300E & thought they would be a bit "too old" But if think they are ok, then i'll look into them a bit more. I can't really stretch to a E320/320E.

I also thought about the 300D, but i guess they are far too slow being a normally aspirated diesel?

Nice E320 Coupe in your profile btw

Thanks,

Mike

Edited by Mikey_W on Monday 28th May 21:29

[iluvmercs]

If you go for 320E (the later 3.2 engine, but in the "pre facelift", square chrome grill surround) they aren't too much more than a 300E.

300D is far too slow!

12v would be the best if its a choice between 300E and 300E-24. Although down on power and slower than the 24v, the engine should last longer if you get a decent example.

Thanks for comment RE: E320

I notice you're not a stranger to the 3 pointed star, so I don't need to rave on about build quality on Mercs of this era

Darren

[Mikey_W]

iluvmercs said:

If you go for 320E (the later 3.2 engine, but in the "pre facelift", square chrome grill surround) they aren't too much more than a 300E.

300D is far too slow!

12v would be the best if its a choice between 300E and 300E-24. Although down on power and slower than the 24v, the engine should last longer if you get a decent example.

Thanks for comment RE: E320

I notice you're not a stranger to the 3 pointed star, so I don't need to rave on about build quality on Mercs of this era

Darren

Right i'll have a look at the 320E then! If not it will be a late 300E 12 valve.

The 190E is for sale now, thats why i'm looking for a replacement

Any particular websites i need to looking at with regards to purchasing a 300E?

Cheers,

Mike

Edited by Mikey_W on Monday 28th May 22:10

[iluvmercs]

Hmmm....there's nothing specific to W124 Saloons I can think of.

But could try asking about them in the W124 forum of[ur]BENZ WORLD|http://www.mbnz.org[/url] (free to join, but most of its members are US based, and their W124 models and badging seem a bit different to ours)

Darren