This question must have been addressed in the past, but I cannot find threads addressing it. I apologize, but befor I buy, here goes: How reliable/problem-prone is the 300E-series 4MATIC transmission? Thanks for your time and assistance.
The quick, dirty easy answer; when it's working, it's great.
If your TC is failing due to the aluminum piston's seal going out, it's toast. Unless you feel confident that you can rebuild it with special tools and hard to find info.....or you have access to rebuilt units from a junkyard, pass on it. Other parts of the system are pretty easy to fix, although 'fixing' the hydraulic valve assembly in the back usually required replacing it by the dealer, back in the day. I've seen very little on it other than where the test ports are and what pressures are typical. Other parts are readily available.
The trouble in shopping for one, are the owners. If they've had problems, many owners just take out the trouble bulb in the dash. Or, they've give you a range of excuses why the light comes on and how to fix it. Be wary, if it were that easy they should/would have fixed it themselves. The cars have such a bad reputation for problems that they are actually devalued more than the same model without. Anyone who is trying to get a premium for a 4matic car is a blatant thief or a complete fool. There is no way in hell they can guarantee the car will be trouble free long term-even if it seems to be working well the day of sale.
All Kevin's points above reflect what my mechanic told me just yesterday... they had an early 300TE 4Matic on the ramp (for a lot of work) when I called in to their shop. They find the system simple enough to work on in general providing they can get parts, but rarely will an owner see an expensive overhaul as a viable repair. After all, these days there are plenty of 124's getting scrapped for the sake of a new exhaust or a radiator.
On ebay (uk) there is maybe 1 presentable 4matic listed every six months, and never any with the MB classic dealers (who won't touch them.) Tellingly there are plenty always being broken for parts, though... the best-known specialist UK dealer recently said on another forum that he believed there were now only perhaps 3 4Matics in Britain that are still working correctly to spec. One of those was subject to a recent £6000 overhaul to achieve that! Enough to buy the very best 2WD wagon in the country.
Personally, though I'd definitely like to see some preserved, I would steer well clear of 4matics after what I learned yesterday. Need a stylish and luxurious older car to cross rough terrain? That'll be a Range Rover I reckon...
Er, I've changed my mind. 5cm of snow has just fallen in London in the last couple of hours on to dry unsalted roads, and it's still coming... I need to drive across the city. Get me a 4Matic immediately!
If I could find a way to import the sump and transmission from the diesel 4Matic, I'd seriously consider building one up from a dead gasser. That's probably the only way I'd invest in one, which is pretty sad, since they seem like such a capable vehicle when well sorted.
btw: Does anyone have a good picture of the 4Matic engine compartment cross-member? When I was pulling the engine on a 124 recently, I got to looking at the 2WD cross-member, and it would be right in line with the axles on a 4WD, so clearly there's got to be a difference between the two.
If I could find a way to import the sump and transmission from the diesel 4Matic, I'd seriously consider building one up from a dead gasser. That's probably the only way I'd invest in one, which is pretty sad, since they seem like such a capable vehicle when well sorted.
btw: Does anyone have a good picture of the 4Matic engine compartment cross-member? When I was pulling the engine on a 124 recently, I got to looking at the 2WD cross-member, and it would be right in line with the axles on a 4WD, so clearly there's got to be a difference between the two.
Too cold here to crawl under...but the next I'm 'under' I can snap some pics.
Er, I've changed my mind. 5cm of snow has just fallen in London in the last couple of hours on to dry unsalted roads, and it's still coming... I need to drive across the city. Get me a 4Matic immediately!
It's a shame really....because at current repair parts prices, the 4matic wagons may very well go extinct. In the beginning, I thought 'oh boy! ...just more salvage parts for me. But those salvage 4matics are being crushed at an alarming rate.
I'd keep mine indefinitely if I thought it would become 'collectable'....right now it's the errant child MB refuses to claim. If it has to make room someday for a nice 500E...it's OUTA here.
I have my dad's 1991 300E 4Matic. It has 228k miles and runs and drives ok. The 4Matic does not work but otherwise its a decent car. I've thought about keeping it for a daily driver and fixing the 4Matic, but after reading this I'm tempted to let it move on.
Are the 2wd W124 transmissions also subject to these issues and costs to repair? I'd love to have a 300TE or a 300D even.
It's not the transmission that is the issue with the 4Matic, but the transfer case.
If you really want to fix the 4Matic, just be prepared to shell out the money (lots of it sometimes) or if you want to avoid the 4Matic complexities just find yourself a 2 wheel drive model.
Yea, I think thats a good plan, because otherwise I like the car. It runs nice, and is comfortable to drive. I have to imagine it would be awesome in a wagon.
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If it has to make room someday for a nice 500E...it's OUTA here.
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