Hi guys - it's been a couple weeks since I've posted here, as I've been a regular on a couple of the mercedes benz boards. What happened was I was really itching to replace my wife's '92 940 (172k) GL - which has been an absolute jewel - with something new. We've had her car for eight years, and she was happy with it, but I knew in my gut it was time to get her something newer. I struggled and struggled with this question for the past six months - what to get. Van, sedan, suv....S90, S70, dodge caravan, toyota sienna, nissan pathfinder, ford exploder.... Struggled because nothing made sense.

So I threw a question up on the S90 board a few weeks ago, and Chris Herbst said something that TOTALLY piqued my interest:

http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=758494

"At least you've looked for the right things.

Reliability, RWD. I'm biased, though, which is why I see only a few "true" competitors for your criteria.

Well... obviously there are some tremendous RWD cars out there. Mercedes, BMW, etc. The 3-series, 5-speed Bimmer is a blast. But not a very big car.

Now when you look at BIG cars, you look at big mouths to feed. And a big M-B is a big mouth to feed. The W124 is a nice car, good, rather simple (as far as M-B cars go) and fairly durable. It did get increasingly complex and expensive towards the later years, but not awfully complex. The suspension and brakes were, as I recall, fairly straightfoward. Good powertrain.

But if you want reliability AND luxury AND something with room...

The Lexus LS400 is a great choice. They are expensive to MAINTAIN... but they don't break much. So therefore the repair cost is very low. Routine things are expected for any car, and the Lexus LS is not awfully expensive, at least for a luxury car. The 1UZ-FE engine is top notch, lives for a LONG time, and is not hungry for constant attention. It has a solid powertrain, drives well, in a Japanese sort of way. Loads of power.

Stay away from the adjustable suspension, because Lexus or not, the air suspension sucks to maintain. And it always breaks at some point.

I've worked quite a bit on the LS and they are not the worst to work on. But if you're looking for ease of parts, and ease overall, of maintenance, the M-B 300 series (W124 models) seem to be easier. More Volvo-like, if anything. The LExus doesn't share a lot of Toyota parts with domestic models (it does overseas) so the parts tend to be rather pricey. But not the worst."

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So I thought...hmmmm Lexus ........hmmmmmm Mercedes Benz....... And went from there. Started doing tons of research on the W124 series ('86? I think up to '95). How common they are, how many they made - how car guys like us love them. So I started looking at 1994-95 E320 models (the last two years of the W124 series). What I was finding were cars that were absolute jewels - these things cost $60k new - and by the time I would find an example, and there are a LOT for sale, they hadn't been out of the "garage at the mansion :)" for more than a year or so, and the interior/exterior showed. These models are very similar in size to a 940 sedan, a bit shorter in length though.

My 3.2L engine (E320...get it?) has a timing chain :), aluminum head, four valves per cylinder, dual overhead cam - and 217 HP. 26 mpg on the highway. You guys WOULDN'T BELIEVE how nice this car rides too - at 90 mph you think you're going 60. Rear independant suspension - but NO (on the sedans) any complicated suspension pieces - just shocks/struts.

Spent 3 hours with a MB mechanic doing a pre purchase inspection - this thing is a 940 on steroids. Built hell for stout. And for a DIY, like me (and you) - er....do it yourselfer.... it's very workable. I can do just about anything on this car/engine. They are 300k mile cars, much like the 940.

Best of all, my wife is tickled pink. Smiles every time she gets into the car, or looks at it. The leather quality is simply incredible, and looks perfect. My car had 75K on it ('95 model) - and I only paid $10.5 for it. There are quite a few in the traderonline publication, and e-bay.

The moral of the story - for years I knew my wife loved MB autos... but I was totally swept in by the myth - Expensive to maintain, costly parts, break down a lot. Well, for many of the MB cars, this is true. ESPECIALLY if you aren't a DIYer. And especially if you have any of the newer models. MB is getting a bad reputation for cars with issues these days.

Parts for this car really don't cost any more than for the 940 - in a few instances yes, but I just ordered front brake rotors/pads for under $150. How about that?

I'll still be keeping MY '94 945T (112k) - as I love it, and it's great for hauling things. But I won't be surprised if after a year of owning and working on our E320, I may jump to an E320 wagon (seat seven).

OK guys- thought I'd pass the word. There are alternatives out there to replace your 940. And the W124 MB series is one of them.

Don't hate me guys! I haven't sold my wife's 92 yet! And I LOVE the 940s - they have been great cars. But I will say, not even in the same LEAGUE as this E320 - which is absolutely unbelivable.

Kind regards guys! Chris W