Review 1991 Mercedes-Benz E Class W124

[spinning wheels]

I came across the following review when deciding to buy a W124 300TE.

I think many of you will enjoy this.

Mercedes-Benz W124: Is "Best Postwar Sedan" a Title Equable to this Car?

http://www.epinions.com/content_86376812164

By Herr Kaufman

[ksing44]

Herr Kaufmann’s last sentence says exactly how I feel about my W124.

"A truly impressive automobile, which will please you every time, you drive."

Thank you for the link. I always like reading an article by someone that loves his or her W124.

[spinning wheels]

Hi ksing44, i am glad you liked it. While i would have bought the car anyway, this review just made me feel great about it.

[wbrauer]

Good article but the writer really throws softballs at the car. I have found my 92 wagon to be a great car but very demanding from a maintenance standpoint.
The AC system fails more than he indicates for one. I think from 80 to 120 thousand miles many expenseive components must be replaced, and this should be understood.

[Kiwi_bloke]

Great article, except for the comment of the 230 and 260 motors not being up to the job.

In my experience the 2.3 litre motor is definatly not underpowered. In fact it can be quite fun to drive ;) The 260e engine is also quite potent at times.

[Greg in Oz]

Good article but the writer really throws softballs at the car. I have found my 92 wagon to be a great car but very demanding from a maintenance standpoint.
The AC system fails more than he indicates for one. I think from 80 to 120 thousand miles many expenseive components must be replaced, and this should be understood.

Great article, except for the comment of the 230 and 260 motors not being up to the job. In my experience the 2.3 litre motor is definatly not underpowered. In fact it can be quite fun to drive ;) The 260e engine is also quite potent at times.

A good review even if a couple of facts are inaccurate and the fact that he has "borrowed" some of the nice lines from reviews written by some Aussie motoring journalists (who usually write glowing reviews of the W124 as a used car).

Re the air-conditioning, he does make the distinction between the system that he was referring to on the German and Aussie deliveries with separate temperature controls for the driver's and passenger's side of the cabin versus the North American deliveries with the push-button system with a single temperature control. The standard system with the two temp controls that we got is perfectly reliable and easy to use and does exactly what you want it to. From what I read on the various forums, the system on the deliveries to North America is something of a lemon. We don't seem to get the control electronics problems, vacuum element failures or evaporator leaks that many suffer in North America.

As for the smaller engines, it's all relative. Many consider the performance of the 230 (actually a four, not a six as he states) and even the 260 a bit leisurely. The four also does not offer the smoothness of the six although with less weight out front does offer crisper handling. I'm in the fortunate position of having both engines, the 2.3 in my 190E and the 3 litre in the 300TE. I consider both ideal in each of those cars. The 190E with the 2.3 performs well at over 400kg less weight than the 300TE and handles superbly. The 300TE with the six and extra weight does not handle as well but offers good performance with superb smoothness and almost silence.