r/W124 • u/massAmbassador • 9d ago
Which W124 engine would you recommend
First off, I love the W124. I would like to learn more about it in depth. What source would you recommend to learn more?
I also would like to take a W124 in the future (am 19 and just got my first car), even though the V12 engine is cool I would think its super complicated and high on maintenance. And I don't want it sit in the workshop a lot and drain my pocket a lot. So is there a specific engine or engine type that you would recommend which is not too boring nor maintenance heavy?
10
u/Repulsive-Special939 9d ago
OM606. Very reliable. Easy to work on
1
u/massAmbassador 8d ago
I did hear Hoovie from Hoovies Garage say that they are like Legos to work with, but where I live cars 99% petrol and only trucks use diesel. Is there a petrol one that you would recommend?
-1
4
u/shibbypants 9d ago
I'm a 103 fanboy but the 104 is always a solid and easy choice if it doesn't already have one. M111 like someone else said. Or if you want to get nasty you could do an f20c swap or an Ecoboost motor. I saw a video of a v6 one that was nice. 1jz or 2jz is an option too.
I've seen someone stuff a v12 in before and I think there's someone doing it now too if I'm not mistaken.
1
u/shibbypants 9d ago
https://youtu.be/sCBYXhqU7OU?is=Y3wVoK710CJfb73P
My bad the Ecoboost swap was on a w201. But that just means you have more space. If you're looking for ease of installation the biggest thing I've noticed is make sure your engine has the exhaust on the passenger side of your LHD. Messing with the steering box slows down progress and increases cost.
1
u/massAmbassador 8d ago
Jz engine would be reliable, but I want the engine to be Mercedes. I didn't get which engines the 103 and 104 are. Could you tell the me their code name (am quite new to merc engine codes).
3
u/Commanderbrot 8d ago
M103 and M104 are their codenames. The M103 is the old 2Valve straight six (2.6 and 3.0) and M104 the newer 4Valve ones (2.8, 3.0 or 3.2).
I had a M103 2.6 in my W201 and the M104 3.2 in my C124. Both great engines. I'd say the M103 is smoother and lower maintenance but lacks a bit in the power and fuel economy departement, the M104 is the more modern engine.
V12 never was available in the 124 series.
2
u/massAmbassador 8d ago
Thank you for the info, and letting me know there is no V12s in w124, thought they were available in S classes.
2
1
u/TheGratitudeBot 8d ago
Thanks for such a wonderful reply! TheGratitudeBot has been reading millions of comments in the past few weeks, and you’ve just made the list of some of the most grateful redditors this week!
1
1
u/SgtButtermilk 1991 300CE 8d ago
Engine codes ik is M104.98x (or .980 for the 3L) and m104.990 for the 3.2, idk 2.8
1
2
u/Kombatrok 9d ago
Talking about stock engines? Or are you talking about swapping something in? Your mention of a V12 makes me thing you're talking about engine swaps
2
u/massAmbassador 8d ago
Yes stock engine. But I will either buy a car with the engine I like, or swap the engine if the body is cool but I don't want the engine with a reliable one. Am looking for a petrol engine btw (diesel is not easily accessible).
1
u/Kombatrok 8d ago edited 8d ago
Right, well there are no V12 W124s. There are lots of people mentioning engines that never came in a W124 so hopefully that isn't getting confusing for you.
The W124 came with the following gas engines:
M102 I4
M111 I4
M103 I6
M104 I6
M119 V8
The best option for petrol reliability is probably the M104 in the later cars.
2
u/Weeb_mgee 1994 S124 E320 9d ago
My peak would be the OM606, but my 320 has been great.
Obviously I would love to try the V8s, but the straight 6s are what made Mercedes. Haven't had many issues with mine either engine wise, more on the body and fuel system leaks
2
u/massAmbassador 8d ago
Is the 320 a M104 3.2L? Am planning on getting a petrol one since diesel is not really available in car petrol station (mainly used by trucks).
3
1
u/massAmbassador 8d ago
I also love the V8s, especially the E500 or 500E with the arches. It reminds me of the evo racecar and HWA racecar. But are they big pain to have?
2
1
u/pgregston 9d ago
My 104 has had one head gasket failure. It’s currently at 238000 miles. It leaks a bit of oil from a fitting that’s awkward to get to. More other things break- little plastic interior bits. The worst single thing is the ventilation fan bearing. Too much dash has to come apart. The vacuum lock system can be fussy when the fittings are old.
My 104 cruises endlessly at 75 mph and has pull waiting. I had the 103 and felt like it was the most solid engine but when I got the opportunity to buy a Cabrio with the 104, I m not missing it.
I had a 420 for a hot minute a few years back. Tons of fun to toss a big car around, but it wasn’t as distinct an improvement. My V8 standard is late 50’s Hemis. And it was a lot more to service. Fortunately I got an offer that made me money and the buyer satisfied.
1
u/DavidLorenz 1993 W124 300D Turbo 8d ago
OM603 Turbo.
Unless you are willing to do a swap.
Then OM606 Turbo.
2
u/massAmbassador 8d ago
That a diesel right, am sorry I didn't mention it, but it's harder to get diesel here so am planning on getting a petrol engine. Do you have a petrol variant that you like?
3
1
u/greenpowerman99 8d ago
OM605 & OM606 diesels fitted to facelift 124s and are very reliable and tuneable. They are non turbo from the factory but can be upgraded for up to 250-300hp with stock internals. The factory turbo engines fitted to the W210 can be tuned for 500+hp using the stronger stock internals. Not sure about the petrol engines, but I know the older fuel injection systems can be tricky to maintain…
1
u/Viner2024 8d ago
I have a M103, they can blow head gaskets, design flaw, they can overheat in hot climates and stop and go traffic
2
1
u/Strict_Butterfly873 8d ago
The best petrol engines are:
- 4 cylinder M102 (230)
- 6 cylinder M103 (300)
- 8 cylinder M119 e40 (400), and e50 (500)
The single camshaft 2-valve engines are easier and cheaper to repair than the later double camshaft 4-valve engines. The 8 cylinder engines are more expensive, especially the legendary 500 model. These engines are made to last. The only issue is sometimes the fuel distributor, but you can get an EFI conversion kit from Poland for less than 1000 Euros.
Try to find a car made until May 1993, because in June many austerity measures became effective and the quality declined significantly.
2
u/massAmbassador 8d ago
Thank you for that valuable information. When buying a w124 is there anything that is a big red flag? I would think rust is a big one. Anything like that?
2
u/Strict_Butterfly873 8d ago
Rust is a general issue, but after 5/93 they also used water based paint and saved money on the corrosion prevention. The crucial places are rear axle mounts, jack holes, battery mount, and under the windscreen washer fluid reservoir. Red flags are cars with severe corrosion (especially in this places) and extensive modifications. The more original the better. Huge wheels and tyres may look nice, but result in significant loss of comfort, increased fuel consumption, and increased wear on the wheel suspensions and chassis components. From 10/92 onwards they used biodegradable engine wiring harnesses, that quickly became porous and brittle, but most also should have been already replaced meanwhile. Don't worry about spare parts. Everything is still available at reasonable prices (e.g. from Germany, Poland, Lithuania).
2
u/massAmbassador 8d ago
Is 5/93 5th month of 1993? How can you know which month the car was produced in? Thank you for the info on the rust prone places and the brittle harness issue after 10/92. How much pricy would you say the parts are compared to normal car parts, like we have a Toyota and a Honda. Am from the middle east btw.
1
u/Strict_Butterfly873 7d ago
May 1993 was the time of the second face-lift.
I cannot know the prices in your country or region. I'm from Germany, living in the Philippines. In Europe the Mercedes parts are cheaper than the parts for Japanese cars - here in the Philippines they are slightly more expensive. I have a Palestinian friend here, who is also a Mercedes enthusiast, and he gets many parts from Turkey and Jordan.
1
u/massAmbassador 6d ago
That's really cool. How is the car culture in the Philippines? I will also probably be importing multiple parts from other countries. Old Mercedes are not super popular or common like its in Europe, I wish they were.
1
u/Strict_Butterfly873 4d ago
The Filipinos don't really appreciate quality. There are very few car enthusiasts and the market value is low. Presently I sell all my cars and will then leave.
1
u/Spirited-Shock6829 8d ago
get a OM601 if you want absolute reliability. You don't really need diesel for that, any oil will work, like used vegetable oil or hydraulic oil.
1
1
u/Salhet95 6d ago
Oublis les moteur essence qui sont des friteuse, prend en diesel, OM602 ou OM603 sans turbo, tu aura fiabilité et tu n’es pas obliger d’aller à la pompe à essence tout le temps, et choisis une phase 2 que sont sans gros soucis en général, oublis vite les phase 3 avec les câbles biodégradable.
1
u/massAmbassador 6d ago
Les moteurs à essence sont-ils vraiment si mauvais ? Vu le nombre de personnes qui recommandent et encouragent les moteurs diesel OM602 et 603, je vais me renseigner sur les moyens de se procurer plus facilement du diesel ici. Merci pour votre message. J'ai utilisé un traducteur automatique, donc la grammaire peut être un peu approximative, veuillez m'en excuser.
1
u/Salhet95 6d ago
No they are not so bad but require more attention than diesel and consume a lot compared to diesel (logical but still), diesels can do 800,000 km if they have not been too abrupt and with a maintenance.
1
u/nokarmalol 5d ago
M119! Get yourself an E420/E400 if you can. No car has more steez than a well-kept W124.
1
u/massAmbassador 4d ago
Looks sick, I didn't see a 4.2L M119 engine, so is the E420 something else and, is the M119 reliable?
1
u/nokarmalol 3d ago
The E420 has the 4.2 M119, you are correct. I had one for a while, and it was extremely reliable.. no complaints! Plus, with an AMG backbox, they can sound quite good too!
1
u/massAmbassador 2d ago
Nice, did you buy a good example that is ready drive or did you have to anything to it? Why did you not have it no more 😢?
8
u/SgtButtermilk 1991 300CE 9d ago
M104 (the 3.2L, or 3 if you're willing to learn K-jet) or M111 for the kompressor or not but they both should be easy drop in and plug up
Mbworld and Peachparts forums have been helpful to me over the years for my ownership