@@user-zw7ed3gf No. The early W126 used the M103 KE-Jetronic. The M104 was only introduced for the first time in the 300CE-24 W124 and 300SL-24 R129 in the K-Jetronic CIS-E variants. In 1993, the variant went to 3.2L with the HFM-SFI variant of the M104 with DOHC. I own a Mercedes-Benz service center and am quite familiar with these models.
I’ve read that these are known to be reliable in the long term, lasting many many miles across their lifetimes, but when it comes to repairs, should one be prepared to have the car repaired a lot? Are issues, even small, frequent? No doubt expensive but frequency is key info.
Dond't forget, the short clips you see as they tested those Gelandewagen Prototypes are from the mid 70's and the Gelandewagen was shown and selled the first time in 1979 !!! At this time, compare it with the Jeep CJ or the Toyota Landcruisers from that time. Mercedes was Lightyears ahead of it "Competitors" 😅👍🏻💯👍🏻
Theres nothing "weak" about the M104. The original diesels, OM616, OM617 were more long lived, probably the most long lived engines ever, the later diesels, not so much.
It's a shame how some of the best offroad vehicles became boring tubs with gadgets so that rich pricks can buy them... The G class, the Landrover/rangerover, the Jeep and the Toyota... Even Lada is making efforts to get into the stupid SUV craze
