For M104, what to hoard?

[nehuge]

158k miles 1995 E320 Wagon, what should I consider hoarding mechanically? Worried about the next 15 to 20 years of parts availability.....I've already got all the interior bits, switches, dash pods, spare windows, trunk lid, hood, doors, turn signal stalk and horn rings, etc and suspension bits new OEM spares.

What about camshafts for when top end needs to be done, timing chains, etc?

How many miles to rear diff lasts if they've had fluids at their proper intervals?
SLS shock life?
SLS portion of the power steering pump life?
SLS valve in the back?
Brake calipers?
Injectors?
Radiator?

What should one hoard while I can.... "new"...?

Let's just approach it if the budget doesn't matter (but it does lol).

I'll get around to an oil analysis some day as I'm the third owner.....

And what of these things like radiators, etc can be aftermarket and decent?

I'm only ever going to put maybe 100 miles a month on the car pretty much forever...

And then same question but what mechanically to get from a junkyard car regardless of the mileage? Master cylinder? (diff probably), etc?

 

[gsxr]

Camshafts should last forever with proper oil / change interval.
Rear diff should last a very long time as well, but these are relatively cheap, if you have room to store a spare
Tandem pump typically just has the front seal leak, but change the SLS & PS fluids periodically
SLS valve - almost never hear of failures (may already be NLA?)
SLS shocks - good question... (may already be NLA?)... used ones may not be good unless they are fairly new
Brake calipers last a long time with 2-3 year fluid flushes, and can be rebuilt / replaced
Injectors should last the life of the engine, if you use Top Tier fuel
Radiator is NLA, might have Nissens available? If original, keep an eye out for a spare.

 

[gerryvz]

There really isn't a lot that you would need to hoard for this car. I would keep a spare top front timing cover seal or two, as it is only a matter of time when they leak.

If you can EVER find the center panel for the inside engine compartment firewall that is immediately behind the valve cover, which isn't shredded or cracked into oblivion, I would grab that. Same for the black plastic piece that pops into it, which retains the upper wiring harness cables against that firewall piece. Both of those pieces are NLA and almost impossible to find used in good condition, but it can be done.

Consider a spare ABS pump, they are common in wrecking yards and not horrible to have a spare of. A vacuum pump (also commonly used across many MB cars of the era) is a nice spare to have.

Get a spare ETA (of appropriate date). Hopefully both of your wiring harnesses have been replaced.

Having a few used spares for the coil packs (they are not horribly expensive new) is a good idea in case you need to replace one. MB OE plug wires too. Spare fan clutch (MB or used if in good condition) is a good idea, as these can wear out.

Most everything else is pretty much available that you would need.

Other than that, dashboard switches, spare instrument cluster (for when DDD hits), relay set, and for the wagon, getting a spare rear door third brake lamp housing (you can get repros online and paint them) is a good idea. Extra rear view mirror.

 

[gsxr]

If you have the $$$ and storage space, the best solution is to look for a running parts car, ideally with the same color interior (and, non-ASR since yours is non-ASR).

 

[195910]

I suggest a spare Intake manifold and cross over tube.

 

[Alphasud40]

Hoard all the M104.980 EZL modules from the KE fuel injection cars thereby driving up the price so you can sell them back at a profit to bankroll your W124 parts car

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3507851589503752/

 

[gerryvz]

Hoard all the M104.980 EZL modules from the KE fuel injection cars thereby driving up the price so you can sell them back at a profit to bankroll your W124 parts car

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There were comparatively few of these KE-based M104s sold in the US, as compared to the later HFM cars. Personally, I believe that an HFM car is 100% more desirable anyway. More of the parts are NLA for the KE-based cars, as well.

 

[nehuge]

I suggest a spare Intake manifold and cross over tube.

Got one lol

 

[nehuge]

If you have the $$$ and storage space, the best solution is to look for a running parts car, ideally with the same color interior (and, non-ASR since yours is non-ASR).

I'd consider it if we had acreage, but the marriage dictates a shed full of parts and not a car at this time lol

 

[nehuge]

There really isn't a lot that you would need to hoard for this car. I would keep a spare top front timing cover seal or two, as it is only a matter of time when they leak.

If you can EVER find the center panel for the inside engine compartment firewall that is immediately behind the valve cover, which isn't shredded or cracked into oblivion, I would grab that. Same for the black plastic piece that pops into it, which retains the upper wiring harness cables against that firewall piece. Both of those pieces are NLA and almost impossible to find used in good condition, but it can be done. Got the firewall part, but I don't have the little wire loom that goes into it 124 821 0089, can't find one, and recent facebook groups and what-not can be peppered with scammers. Once I get into a convo that they "have one", it usually ends up being Pay Pal mumbo jumbo which is a scam. Ugh. I may just plastic wire-conduit it to protect the wires.

Consider a spare ABS pump, they are common in wrecking yards and not horrible to have a spare of. A vacuum pump (also commonly used across many MB cars of the era) is a nice spare to have. There's one in town at a yard, will consider

Get a spare ETA (of appropriate date). Hopefully both of your wiring harnesses have been replaced. Both have been replaced and my ETA is 2004. Maybe Ebay or rebuild mine?

Having a few used spares for the coil packs (they are not horribly expensive new) is a good idea in case you need to replace one. MB OE plug wires too. Spare fan clutch (MB or used if in good condition) is a good idea, as these can wear out. Will consider coils, don't a spare fan clutch only a fan blade. lol

Most everything else is pretty much available that you would need.

Other than that, dashboard switches, spare instrument cluster (for when DDD hits), relay set, and for the wagon, getting a spare rear door third brake lamp housing (you can get repros online and paint them) is a good idea. Extra rear view mirror. Got instrument clusters for any gauge replacement, all ice cube relays and larger relays spares, have a tailgate and rear doors since they are different and more rare than sedan doors, got third brake housing and extra rear view.

Heck, I have a spreadsheet of all the spare stuff I have, (includes all mentioned above, plus ignition tumbler, spare new keys cut, ignition switch, door handles inside and out, strikers, latches, sill plate covers, a dash board, front/back bumpers, windshield, side windows, pods of course, etc).
I worry more about availability on this car than I do on my dad's 1964 and "1/2" Mustang as that is aftermarket overload on those American cars....

I think the paranoia is a little more accentuated with having the genius idea of trying to "lifetime" two of these things: The 1995 E320 Wagon and the 1992 300D diesel sedan. Keep telling myself "better than $1,200 a month for two car payments, plus Dave, you need a hobby to do with your mind and hands anyways as you like to tinker, etc". I repeat this statement until I'm paint code 929 Nautical Blue in the face...... What was I thinking?

Dang I love my cars....

 

[gerryvz]

I would also recommend a spare MAF or two. They are easy to find / common, but a good piece to have on hand.

 

[Trae]

Well, our W124 wagon M104 lasted 350k when we donated it to Wounded Warriers

 

[bclifton]

I would get an extra valve cover and spark plug cover ; get them cleaned and powder coated. It's only a matter of time before the paint peels (if it's not already). Not sure if because of dissimilar metals (I think valve cover is magnesium, head is aluminum, block is iron) or if paint just doesn't adhere to magnesium

Depending on how far you want to go, you might break out EPC and order parts for the head in case you need to rebuild it. For sure the head gasket set. It's not uncommon to need to replace head gasket... if you're taking the head off anyways, I think it's worth considering whether to replace the valves and other parts (valve stem seals, etc).

I would check your wiring harnesses and consider getting backups of those. There are rebuilders out there like Motorkabelbaum, Drosselklappe - MKB TEC that can help restore those to new. I sold my 1994 SL320 (R129) earlier this year and I had replaced the engine wiring harness and ETA/throttle body. Those are still in good shape - but unfortunately the buyer has had an issue only months later where all the insulation has started flaking off... with wiring from MAF sensor (not part of the engine wiring harness on my model) and other wiring going to the computers there around the "coffin box" area


Those are some of the pics they've shared with me. I had no idea the other harnesses in the car are affected. This has me scared for any Mercedes in the 1993 - 1995 range They claim not to have pressure washed anything, etc. Not sure if this is from going from a dry climate (Arizona) to a tropical climate (Florida)? Or if this wiring is always at risk on any 93-95? (ex: it's all the soybean material?)

I'd recommend trying to get backups though! Freshly rebuilt

 

[Trae]

most upper and lower harnesses have been replaced by now, but you can read the date code somewhere near the firewall on the harness.

 

[gsxr]

@bclifton, I wonder if this is an R129-only thing? I've never seen that kind of degradation of a body/chassis harness on a 124. Engine harnesses definitely, but not under the CAN modules!

@jhodg5ck ?? @Klink ??

 

[Klink]

I have NOT seen it like that on a 124 vehicle, though I believe it's possible. Don't ask me why I believe that even though I have never seen it myself.
I have seen countless 129 and 140 vehicles with this catastrophic size wire failure, but not surprisingly, all of them were V12 engined cars. All of those were USA MY 92 through 95. with LH or HFM engine management systems. I never saw it on anything model year '96 or newer regardless of the chassis or engine versions.

 

[Steve119]

I'm doing a head-job on my R129 M104 CIS and parts that came up hard to get are valve stem seals (different sizes depending on valve shaft diameter) and crank ventilation hoses + ISV hoses.

 

[gerryvz]

A reputable machine shop should be able to get appropriate non-MB valve stem seals that will fit the application. Fortunately this is a part where a lot of good options exist that are of good quality.

Can you please be more specific on the crank ventilation hoses in question — either part numbers or diagrams illustrating the hose(s) you are referring to?

Thanks
Grrry

 

[Steve119]

Hi Gerry,

a1040100082 is the old type crank ventilation hose towards the intake that was replaced by A1040180082 and A1040180182 (not shown on the EPC), joined together by A1020940812

I drove 200km for the little A1040180082 that connects to the intake manifold. Only a few were left in Germany at dealers.

 

[gerryvz]

Those hoses are all for the CIS cars. We didn't have too many of those in the US except for some R129s and W124 coupes/cabrios, I believe. Most M104 owners here in the US won't have to hoard those hoses, unless they have one of the cars from the previous sentence.