[robotnut]

New member here with new to me 300E / Educate me

Hi All,

Long time lurker. I've always been in love with the w124 and knew that I would have one one day but never really got the chance until now. I wanted a diesel but couldn't really find one so I settled for a 91 300E in really nice shape from 2nd owner who had it since it was a year old in surprisingly good condition.
I have a hard time even finding stone chips on it, never mind rust. The car has all service records and everything works. (Has power sunroof, heated power seats and power steering column.) Really the only fault I can find is a noisy blower motor.
Has 2 sets of rims, both 16" but the winter tires are worn. I have a set of 225/50/16's that have run less than 5000kms on my E36 before I sold it so I hope those will fit.

Really the only thing I don't like is the spoiler

I keep hearing about the head gasket on the OM103, this has not been done on this so who knows. The car has 179000kms and has only been dealer serviced.

 

[euroamg]

Congratulations on your first 300E! Looks to be a great example with a nice black interior. Is the color metallic black/gray? Looks like it is anthracite gray.

 

[Clarkz71]

Welcome to the forum, car looks great.

The head gasket on the M103 is a common issue, but not 100% of them go bad.

You might be the exception to the rule. A good sign.

 

[robotnut]

Got the car. I drove it home which I was a bit worried about since it had been sitting for a while, but it gave me no trouble during the ~80 or so mile ride. It drives perfectly straight with the steering wheel centered, got brakes, engine sounds very nice and everything works(ed) other than the heated seats. They too worked for a while but they stopped now.... Oh well. It's at the mechanic's now. Question about gearing: What is this thing supposed to rev at 75mph/120kmh? I was surprised to see that's it's at 3000rpm at an indicated 120kmh. It's got 16" wheels. Is that normal, or is it not shifting high enough???

I must say I'm shocked how well the car drives. It's quiet, smooth and relatively fast. Well definitely faster than my Mk1 1.6D N/A Jetta was
It probably has a worn ball-joint or something because there is definitely a knock in the left side but other than that I can't really find anything bad. No raddles, everything works and starts first flip. Has original compression in 6 cylinders so I hope I lucked out with this one.

 

[LTYLER]

Got the car. I drove it home which I was a bit worried about since it had been sitting for a while, but it gave me no trouble during the ~80 or so mile ride. It drives perfectly straight with the steering wheel centered, got brakes, engine sounds very nice and everything works(ed) other than the heated seats. They too worked for a while but they stopped now.... Oh well. It's at the mechanic's now. Question about gearing: What is this thing supposed to rev at 75mph/120kmh? I was surprised to see that's it's at 3000rpm at an indicated 120kmh. It's got 16" wheels. Is that normal, or is it not shifting high enough???

I must say I'm shocked how well the car drives. It's quiet, smooth and relatively fast. Well definitely faster than my Mk1 1.6D N/A Jetta was
It probably has a worn ball-joint or something because there is definitely a knock in the left side but other than that I can't really find anything bad. No raddles, everything works and starts first flip. Has original compression in 6 cylinders so I hope I lucked out with this one.

Congrats your your purchase, looks like my old one. My current 300e hit's 3000 rpm at 75-80. @ 65 its more like 2600/2800. I believe that's normal it them speeds. Normal stock wheels for this car where 15 inch but others have 16's on there cars.

 

[Jayare]

RPM at that speed is about correct. Original 15" tire size was 195/65/15. With 16" rims, 205/55/16 is about as close to dead on as you'll ever get. 60mph would be an actual 59.8.

Good luck. All indications are that you've found a nice example.

 

[jarzen]

Nice car I going to sent my 300e 1987 to scrap yard I have heated seats from 91if you need same parts you can pic up for 1$ etobicoke Toronto
ps I changed my head gasket in my car at 400k km /oil in the cooling system/