M104 sooner rather then later will develop oil leak from head gasket. M112 is a lot easier to work on. Basic stuff like belt or water pump is a snap. Lots of room.
With 2000 M112 A/C cools better in heavy traffic. Electric suction fan is a lot more efficient then fan clutch/pusher fans.

 

M104 needs head gasket every 100-150k miles, but otherwise relatively reliable. Not as easy to work on as 112.

M112 is smaller and easier to work on. But when things break, like vacuum lines, it's fairly difficult to track it down if you don't have a smoke machine.

I'm partial to 104, but that's just me being me, since I'm a mechanic and can afford to fix it.

All told, both are equal in terms of reliability. My 104 is still on the original water pump, and the engine has 208k miles. I've seen 112 and 113 with over 200k on the original pump as well.

 

Thanks guys. Very helpful. I think they both are pretty great choices over other brands myself but always great to hear the truly educated speak to the details.

 

M112 in my opinion ,,,lighter , improved technology , very good reliability and easy to service.

 

The M104 will have a nice sound to it. Like a traditional Mercedes-Benz in-line six where are they made their bones.

but it’s 70 K miles if it hasn’t been done it will need a head gasket soon

two other things the 2000 has going for it:

A better five speed transmission that was sorted out by this time

an updated body style with improvements

all things being equal I would go for the 2000.

I bet the M112 would give you better mileage to in the real world

 

Thanks all. I was able to make a deal on the 2000. Picking it up this evening and looking forward to a long relationship with this new member of the family.

 

Both are solid drive trains but like others have said, the m112 is much easier to work on yourself and the 722.6 5 seed auto transmission is a lot smoother and is very easy to service. I'm at 175k and still on my original water pump. I checked for play in the bearing when I put a belt on a few months ago and all seems fine.

 

Good choice, the 2000 hands down.