This 1995 Mercedes-Benz E300 Diesel is the last of the W124 lineup in the United States, one of the marque’s iconic platforms that was seemingly indestructible and can still be a great choice for a highway cruiser today. This example sports a six-cylinder diesel engine that was naturally aspirated from the factory and aside from the vents in the passenger fender, is identical to the company’s non-diesel models. With under 100,000 miles, there’s plenty of life left in this bank vault Mercedes, and it’s listed here on eBay with bids to $6,000 and no reserve.
The W124 is one of my favorite platforms Mercedes has ever made, largely due to learning to drive on a 1990 300E and later driving my Dad’s 1995 E420 on occasion. Let’s just say my love of inline sixes comes from these cars, along with the noises only a V8 can make. Despite not being a car guy in any sense of the word, even my Dad got addicted to V8 thrust and would go onto owning at least one more V8-equipped E-Class before retiring to a quiet (and reliable) lifestyle of Honda ownership. This one is in far better condition than any of his, with a gorgeous tan leather interior.
The OM606 diesel engine was no powerhouse, but it likely seems relatively sprightly compared to the W123-era diesel engines. Horsepower was around 134 b.h.p. and torque a bit higher at 155 lb.-ft. Certainly, nothing that will win you any stoplight drag races but plenty fine for in-town travel. Of course, given this is a Mercedes, the highway driving characteristics are likely equally complacent, even if you have to plan your overtaking moves a bit more carefully than in non-diesel model. Things look clean underhood but no maintenance details are offered.
Outside, the standard eight-hold wheels are still mounted, as are the sometimes vulnerable headlight washer arms (more than one of these was lost to an automated car wash in my childhood years). This generation of the W124 featured a slightly more windswept look than the earlier cars, and really still looks quite modern today. If I ever go back to a long-distance commute, a car like these makes an awful lot of sense for economical cruising, especially with such low mileage for a diesel-equipped example. With plenty of time left in the auction, expect to see this one go higher.
Do the diesel powered cars suffer from the wire insulation issues and A/C evaporator failures as the gas powered cars?
They can suffer somewhat from the wiring issue, but not nearly as much, as the diesels have far less engine wiring than the gas engines do. Either way, from what I’ve seen it appears fairly simple to swap a new engine harness in — there’s just one big multi-pin connector at one end, so swap that to the new harness and lay it alongside the old one, then go down the length swapping like-for-like connectors until it’s done.
Yes.. remember all German cars that are imported from the Motherland comes with “after market” A/C systems. Germany doesn’t make A/C systems for their cars.
I have owned the exact same vehicle for the last 21 years. I average about 30 mpg. Current mileage is 300k. It did suffer from the less than brilliant wire insulation issue and I just had the transmission replaced. The sunroof is troublesome. No A/C issues. I figure I can get another 300 k out of it as it seems the engine is bullet proof.
These diesel engines are pretty much bullet proof when the required maintenance is performed. The big MB tranny usually last 125k-200k before require rebuild.
I have the 1987 model. It also gets a consistent 30 mpg. Sunroof is also troublesome and the A/C system, but I really like the car’s dependability, handling, and economy. These are good cars.
Seats are not leather. This car (somewhat unusually) does not have the optional leather but the standard leatherette, aka vinyl, aka “MB Tex” , I think is what Mercedes called it. It wears (or doesn’t’ wear!) much better than the real leather. Gorgeous car. One of the last truly well built Benzes.
Nice car. Just be aware that this guy is flipping it and may not have the title in his name. There is no NJ registration on it, but has NJ plates that could be from another car. It still has the NY Registration on it where the owners info is scratched out and a NY inspection sticker that may be expired. The car could have had an issue passing inspection in NY…
The vacuum locking system is also a nightmare as they age. I really don’t think they are as reliable as people say. A/C sucks too.
Sure, they’re not 100% indestructible, but these were among the last Benzes made “to a standard, not to a price” — i.e., everything was engineered and made to best-practices standards without cost-cutting. Things can and may eventually break, esp. minor things like central locking and switchgear, but typically does so much later than any car of similar vintage, esp. the powertrain, driveline, and running gear. Made in an era when most cars still struggled to reach 100k in good shape, these were hardly broken-in at 200k.
NY titles can be worrisome! Do due diligence and check into that before commiting any cash!!!
I sold my 95 at 464,000 miles, still running fine. One of the best cars I’ve ever owned.
These MB were the last of the “tank” that MB made. As compared to the newer models, the current crops are P.O.S. This is thanks to Lexus which came out less expensive “Luxury” cars and can take the abuse of less than required maintenance programs. I still own the older 300SDL series, it’s approaching 500K miles. The engine hasn’t been touched but the tranny is on it’s 4th. “rebirth”. Since I can do most of the repairs, it was relatively affordable. I will hold on to it as long as possible!
The wiring debacle of degradable insulation was limited to 1993 or so. Does not apply to 1995. I have a 1995 E300D with 278k miles. Uses 4oz of oil per 1k miles (front main seal slight leak). Actually quite fast due to torque. Very understressed as naturally aspirated. Mostly the rubber bushing need replacement because the car lasts so long. Incredibly strong body.