94 Mercedes E320

[Shaun @ Tru6]

will probably buy this nice wagon. Excellent all around car but has an RPM fluctuation at idle. Anyone know if this is something to put off the purchase or just a minor fix? Has 157K on it and drives like a tank, runs very strong.

[ben parrish]

Probably a vacuum leak. Great cars. Good luck.

[Max Von]

Nice car Shawn.
Could be something simple or it may need an engine wiring harness. This model and year in particular has major issues with the insulation on the wires in the harness breaking off an causing shorts. Google it or check the MB forums.
Better yet bring it by our shop European Auto Solutions (European Auto Solutions - Mercedes-Benz Repair) in Waltham for a PPI or at least a quick look. We may have worked on the car in the past. Call our service manager Ed Owen at 781-642-0667 and he'll be able to give you a quick what to look for tutorial.
Good luck,
Max

[RANDY P]

MAF most likely. Typical.

When teh harness goes you usually get a million fault codes.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thank you Gentlemen. Max, sent you a PM.

For all others, here's the car:

1994 Mercedes E320 Wagon

I offered $1K and she accepted. Has an $800 stainless exhaust she had put on last summer, new tires, car drove like a freight train. Has some niggles, needs front pads immediately, but is overall a car I don't think I'd mind putting a little money into. Needs a radio too. Any ideas if a later MB CD-Stereo will just plug in?


One thing I forgot: she said mileage has suffered since the idle thing.

[ben parrish]

You STOLE that car! Great deal!

[RANDY P]

Jeezus you just demolished the poor lady, shame on you

My M104 engine did basically what yours did except it would occasionally stall...

96 C36- random sputtering and stalling- I searched.. - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

The only real failures that seem to be common at that mileage are the head gasket, harness, MAF, Crankshaft positon sensor, OVP relay, O2 sensors.

All scheduled to blow up about right now....

rjp

[A930Rocket]

My wife had a 95 E320 wagon just like that one. Bought it in 2000 with 25k miles. It was immaculate, drove great, but she traded it in on a 2001 E320 wagon. It just wasn't the same.

[Chilling in VT]

My brother has a 95 wagon. He was having the same idle problem (surging up to 1500 rpm, then dropping down to 600). Turned out to be the engine wiring harness. MB experimented with a biodegradable wiring harness and the engine compartment fumes and heat take their toll. He replaced the harness and everything is back to normal. The 124 class cars were some of the last hand built cars MB made and the build quality is very good. There is a guy in Stamford, CT named Dave Hendy who has a company called Blitzen Motorsorts that sells used parts for 1987-1995 E class cars. He is very easy to deal with and guarantee's all of his parts. I think you will like this car.
Joe

[speeder]

There are plenty of possible issues with any car that age but those last 124s were phenomenal cars. My buddy who owns one of the best independent MB shops in SoCal drives a '94 E320 as his DD. The harnesses are a known problem as mentioned, there is no aftermarket part and a new one will run ~$900 if needed. They are an easy DIY install. When the head gaskets go, often they merely leak oil externally. Not a catastrophic failure by any means.

All of the other things Randy mentioned like sensors and MAFs are potential failures on any car that age. In my experience, often MB parts are cheaper than Toyota parts, especially if you are web-savvy. Of course, Toyota parts are outrageous...

I have nearly every part on that car available used; relays, trim, electrical, lights, you-name-it. I've been eBaying used MB parts both from my own stock and my friend's shop. Email or PM me for any used MB parts, that goes for anyone else reading this as well.

A sample:

[speeder]

More:

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Whoa! Denis, I'll go through the car thoroughly and put together a list for you after I get it, thanks for posting!

Amazing job on Seahawk's 356 BTW!

[Scuba Steve]

LUCKY! That's a great deal!

[HHI944]

That's a steal Shaun! Enjoy that car. Is it 4matic?
The regular wagons handle pretty impressively for a station wagon, the 4matics can be downright scary. I've made a few people panic going through traffic circles...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

It's just RWD. I wouldn't want a 4Matic having heard about pumps going out and their cost to replace. Pretty snowy this season and I've used the 4Runner for fun in the snow, but streets are plowed next day and this car will be fine.

[aigel]

I was going to say that those are pigs and overpriced as wagons. Then I saw the price. Nevermind, for that I'd buy one too! Very nice!

G

[kaisen]

Great score Shaun!!

Just slap a set of Blizzaks on that wagon and you'll do fine, if you don't want to take the 4Runner. The wagon is better balanced than the sedan as far as traction goes.

What a nice car for the money!!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

What a small world! I'm over at Benzworld.com researching the harness and come across orange911 posting about lowering his 94 E320 wagon...the same orange911 (a friend via shared 69-73 cars) here on Pelican and Early S. Funny.

Thanks again for the good words, I'm pumped about this car now. Been wanting one for a long time. Hoping to pick it up tomorrow.

[RANDY P]

On benzworld there's a guy who goes by doin12volt who supposedly can rebuild harnesses and a few guys claim he does good work.

as for the surging, check the MAF-common failure mode. Any MAF off of a pre 96 model m104 (C280 E320 300E) (round plug) should work. Mine surged consistently, had to keep the brake on hard at lights...

The MAF on the car did that when I bought it, I swapped in a used one that went 7k miles, then it did it again and now brand new Bosch and no issues.

rjp

[Shaun @ Tru6]

sent him a note, thanks.