I resurrected a year old thread, but I'd like to put in my two cents.
I am the very satisfied owner of a 1994 E320 Estate. (can I call it a 320TE..please?) I've had some fun driving it, but there are other cars to buy if one is a perfectionist about handling. I'm content. It's wonderful as a daily driver, and it beats almost everything else I've driven in the "highway hauler" category. I love the ride quality and how responsive it is for a 3750 lb. rollingbank vault. The acceleration is respectable, but I'm not expecting to blow any doors off. If one wants a "driver's car", go elsewhere. While it has a very respectable power output, it's geared for highway driving. The resonant intake manifold is a neat trick. After 3k, it behaves a little differently. I like the feel of the gear selector knob, and how it's not impeded by a dumb piece of "sliding" plastic. There's no extra button to release shift lock, and it glides into place effortlessly. It doesn't feel like any other automatic I've driven. The thoughtful German engineering comes in to play all over the car. The 3rd row seat is easy to use, and replacing taillights is mind-numbingly simple. I can swear that the little button between the left side power window switches is the child safety lock switch. no more fiddling with those pesky pins in the door jamb! (Is that what that button is?)
It starts the first try, even on the coldest days. While it takes a few seconds when it's twenty below,
I haven't ever had to attempt starting it twice. And that's what matters to me. It's why I chose a W124. It was twenty below zero this morning, and the car started the first time. My old Lexus wouldn't have been able to do that.
It has 147,xxx miles, and I've put a little over 10,000 miles on it since I got it in August 2007. 85% of the mileage is from driving on the highway. I've had only one problem so far, a wiper motor failure. Not bad, considering my track record with automobiles. We paid a little more than we should have, but I've been really lucky. The cruise control works flawlessly, and the wiring harness points seem sound. (Thank God!) There's little seepage from the headgasket. (no more than any other well maintained 14 year old car) I can't exactly say well-maintained..
I have changed the oil twice in 10,000, and the differential fluid once. I make sure I have the right amount of coolant, and that I have enough PS fluid. But I've managed to mess up the lips of two of my wheels, and some tiny oxidation spots are forming around the car.
Then again, there's road salt everywhere, and it's been on roads here since December 2nd. Not bad for a fourteen year old car that's spent a majority of its life in "salty" states. (If I can recall correctly)
I love it. It's not as pretty as it could be, but I'm in college and it's my daily driver. I may do a "quick-fix" on the oxidation and repaint it a little further down the road. All in all, looking down at that three-pointed star brings a smile to my face.
Sign me up for the club, why not.
yeah, scary i know.
Is that normal? 
