Which one to buy?? - 280TE OR 300TE

[dave elcome]

I have recently been looking with a view to changing, i have decided that i want to go back to petrol. As i tow on a regular basis i would like a bit of power on hand, so i have been looking at either 280 or 300TE's, i cant really see the difference (please don't say 200cc), other than maybe the smaller engine might attract cheaper insurance.

What would anyone recommend, are there any inherant problems with either engine,  which should make me steer away from it in favour of the other??

 

[Andy]

Which one to buy??

Hi Dave,

When you mention 300TE or 280 they are completely different engines. Both are bullet proof. My advice to you is to buy at the very least the face lifted model. IE with the big slab sided mouldings. The 300te models have been uprated and have more power. Use less fuel. And all in all are more reliable. The 300te 24v (Buy the way I MIGHT have one coming in.) Are good  tools but don't have the big increase in power of the 300 (103engine) @ 70-80 the pick up is good. So its got good midrange power. But @ 70-80mph with a caravan on the back your mates at the office will be pulling you over. The 300te24(104) was the forunner to the 280& 320. Now these engines (104) are a vast improvement over the first 30024v. They both suffer from headgasket oil leaks. Not the best engineering. So when looking check the front of the engine and rear of it for oil leaks. You will need a torch and give it a good once over at the back on top of the bell housing. Try and find one with a 5sp auto box. That will help with the fuel. But they are flying machines especially the 320.

Hope I been some help.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[dave elcome]

Which one to buy??

Andy.

Thank you for your continued assistance, if you  do get one in please let me know.

 

[dave elcome]

Which one to buy??

Andy.

I meant to add to the above, if i find one with an obvious head gasket oil leak, is this terminal, IE cracked head or worse, or is it merely, (i use that term lightly) a question of replacing the gasket?

 

[Andy]

Which one to buy??

Merely replacement of head gasket. Sometimes a skim maybe in order. But mostly replace head gasket.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com