Another W124 thread

[JFB]

Hello folks, another newbie here!

I am looking to buy a W124 300D and wanted to find out whether or not this model ever had a turbo. I have seen a 1993 model in good order but was hoping to end up getting a 1995 model or the very last of the old shape with low mileage. Apart from the clear indicators, were there any significant differences between the 1993 model and 1995? If not, I will probably just go ahead and buy the one I have seen.

I did a search on this site and found a great deal of useful information for which many thanks.

Jerome

 

[230K]

Apart from the clear indicators, were there any significant differences between the 1993 model and 1995?

The 93 300D has 12 valves the 95 has 24 valves different engine the early one i think is called the 603 and the later the 606 engine.

Turbos of both were available on continent and elsewhere there is the odd one about the uk.
The 606 is said to be livlier than the 603, i cannot compare because our 124 has the 603 and the 210 has the 606 although it is turbo.

230K

 

[paulcallender]

Due to the location of the turbo and the steering rack, its not possible to have a right hand drive turbo diesel W124. Have you looked at www.w124.co.uk? Its a useful site.

 

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

I have a E300D with the 606 non-turbo 24v engine. I hear the earlier cars are very slow.
I don't really miss having a turbo, apart from on fast hilly A-roads, up steep hills etc where you need to work the auto box manually. You learn to compensate for it and when the engine is wound up it really flies.

The only cosmetic differences apart from the clear indicators are colour-coded bumpers, and the shape of the front of the bonnet/grill. I would say the build quality on my '94 car is a wee bit poorer than the '92 300E I had, but it's still a tank.

 

[JFB]

So would you guys suggest a 1995 W124 300D or a new shape 300d Turbo??

 

[pascal]

JFB

A lot of people would say that the W124 was the last real MB E-Klass.

A late model will have chrome on the bootlid, electric drivers miror, newstyle bonnet/MB star/grill, full colour coded bumpers, probably 2 airbags, and if lucky a 5sp autobox (not sure if this was an option on diesels though).

I think that the newer shape has aged prematurely compared to the W124 (my opinion), and the W124 was a better built car.

Pascal

 

[Geoff_Slade]

I've got the 12 valve 300D not sure how much difference the extra 12 valves will make or the extra cog in the box but the performance on mine is excellent once its in its rev range. It's fairly nippy! around town where it gets caught out is overtaking on twisty A roads; you need to have quite a bit of road clear to overtake with any confidence. On motorways and dual carriageways it's in its natural environment so no problems at all even hills are OK as long as you keep the revs up.

As for fitting a turbo there's a company in Lancaster www.tb-turbo.co.uk who provide conversions (approx £1,000 as far as I can remember). Can be fitted to a 300D but only one without a/c which rules out a lot of MBs.

 

[JFB]

Thanks for the guidance chaps.

 

[paulcallender]

Putting the issues of relative age; relative reputation for reliability; and relative performance with/without the turbo;to one side, consider this: the W124 has quite a steeply raked rear windscreen, while the newer model is definitely more boxy. If you are purchasing an estate and intend to use its cargo capacity to maximum effect, then go for the later model. If you're slightly put off by the 'van like' looks, then go for the W124.