W124 E300 24V or 12V?

[Hab5000]

I've been looking for an E300 24V or E320 saloon or estate, but have just stumbled across what looks like a very nice '92 300TE 12v.

Any W124 experts able to tell me the pros & cons of the two models?

Is there a big performance/refinement difference between them? Issues, trouble spots etc?

Any help/advice mucho appreciated!

 

[grober]

The later cars are more refined/powerful but slightly more complicated in terms of injection and ignition systems. The early 12V 6 cylinders are bullet proof if looked after. Buy these cars on provenance/ condition rather than anything else would be my advice. I would buy a well looked after 3 litre over a thrashed 320 any day.

 

[lanciaman]

Personally I would go for a 300, 12v for simplicity and easier/cheaper to get some bits for. Or the 24v. I would rather have a 300 than a 320 as they are less complicated as already stated.

 

[television]

I look at these post and think 12volt- 24volt, then it sinks in

 

[S80]

The later 280/320 24V engines have more modern fuelling and ignition systems, which are less prone to ham-fisted amateur 'tinkering' - particularly the fuel side. Better diagnostics too.

Many will have had the infamous biodegradable wiring loom fixed, together with the oil seepage past head gasket and/or timing chain cover. The latter rarely proves fatal, and slight weepage can be lived with almost indefinitely.

For me, the W124 has always looked more 'classically Mercedes' prior to the '93 facelift, but only a few 280E/320E models were produced with the 'new' engines - so they're a bit thin on the ground now.