[sloughboy]

Im looking at replacing my 1989 280ge with either a 95 or 97 G320. Each have about 95,000 km on them. The 95 has an inline 6, the 97 a V-6. Any thoughts between the two? Reliability is my #1 concern. I'm not concerned about power, mileage, etc.

 

[GTO71]

I have the M104 inline 6 in my early W210 car, and did some research as I was also looking buy at a W210 car with the V6, and the inline seems to be a better engine. It is smoother my design and I have heard of many of them going 300,000 miles or much more. In the W124 and W210 community the M104 inline 6 are known as very good engines that are reliable and easy to work on.

 

[AlanMcR]

It is a bit of a tradeoff. With the 97 you get the 722.6 5-speed automatic and the electronic brake force distribution. This latter replaces the failure prone mechanical valve/rod/spring arrangement on the rear axle. The cruise control is integrated into the engine computer, and thus basically foolproof. Also, diagnostics are full OBDII (I think).

 

[GTO71]

.

Yes the older inline six might come with the 722.239 transmission, which really has no electronics (to fail) but is a 4-speed. However it is a good transmission.

 

[DUTCH]

It is a bit of a tradeoff. With the 97 you get the 722.6 5-speed automatic and the electronic brake force distribution. This latter replaces the failure prone mechanical valve/rod/spring arrangement on the rear axle. The cruise control is integrated into the engine computer, and thus basically foolproof. Also, diagnostics are full OBDII (I think).

Probably not, unless the importer installed the OBDII as after market in his Federalization.

 

[AlanMcR]

Probably not, unless the importer installed the OBDII as after market in his Federalization.

My 1996 is mostly OBDII, basically on par with my wife's 1998 E300. Engine codes are readable and clearable with a standard reader. When I say mostly, I mean that the live data features don't work correctly on either vehicle, at least not on my readers.
All that is needed is the connector. Not true for pre-1996 diesel or or pre-1997 gas.

 

[CHRIS F]

Im looking at replacing my 1989 280ge with either a 95 or 97 G320. Each have about 95,000 km on them. The 95 has an inline 6, the 97 a V-6. Any thoughts between the two? Reliability is my #1 concern. I'm not concerned about power, mileage, etc.

Where in this part of the world has a 95 or 97 G320 for sale?

 

[DUTCH]

My 1996 is mostly OBDII, basically on par with my wife's 1998 E300. Engine codes are readable and clearable with a standard reader. When I say mostly, I mean that the live data features don't work correctly on either vehicle, at least not on my readers.
All that is needed is the connector. Not true for pre-1996 diesel or or pre-1997 gas.

I can tell you for a fact that Europa Int'l added OBDII on their 1999-2001 G500's as a part of their Federalization process. The G500's that Europa Int'l sold did not come from the factory with OBDII.

 

[AlanMcR]

I can tell you for a fact that Europa Int'l added OBDII on their 1999-2001 G500's as a part of their Federalization process. The G500's that Europa Int'l sold did not come from the factory with OBDII.

Agreed, the connector wasn't part of the standard MB wiring. It is trivial to add though. All the wires are available in the existing round diagnostic connector under the hood. There is really no need to install the connector though, since there are cheap cables that go between OBD readers and the round connector.

 

[zft325]

id go for the 95 m104, although i trust the m112 it has issues like oil leak on valve cover (even when not in use), pulley issues etc. but if i have the extra money id buy both:grin

 

[sloughboy]

Thanks for the input. I will base my decision on the results of the inspections / condition of the vehicles.