No difference at all, same engine and tranny. Minor cosmetic differences.
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1984 300D 225,000 miles (hit and totaled by bad driver)
1987 300E 209,000 miles (donated to worthy cause, still going)
1988 300E 205,000 miles (still a daily driver)
1998 E320 70,000 miles (Obsidian, 17' E500 rims)
1990 300CE 88,000 miles (Silver/ black int)
There's one significant mechanical difference - 1990 was the first year of the air pump.
Hmm yes I think I also see a valve in the header near the cylinder head, looks like a sensor of some sort, I thought I saw the wire going to it like a spark plug wire size.