The 300E is a W124 chassis Mercedes-Benz and was built from 1986 thru 1993. Members of the 124 chassis family include:

• 260E, 4-Dr Sedan
• 300E, 4-Dr Sedan
• 300D, 4-Dr Sedan, Diesel-powered
• 300TE, Station Wagon
• 300CE, 2-Dr Coupe
• 400E, 4-Dr Sedan, 4L V-8 engine
• 500E, 4-Dr Sedan, 5L V-8 engine

The 300E was introduced in 1986 and was available with either a 2.6L or 3.0L inline six-cylider, single-overhead cam engine known as the M103 engine. Many items (such a leather interior) that were standard equipment on the 3.0L 300E were optional on the 2.6L 300E. In 1993 a larger, more powerful dual-overhead cam 3.2L engine, the M104 engine was introduced. The 3.2L M104 produces 217 horsepower. A 2.8L version of the M104 was also available.

Due to the larger engine size, in 1994 Mercedes-Benz changed the model designation to E320. (If you are new to Mercedes-Benz, you probably find the model designations a bit confusing. Unfortunately, the Captain Crunch Decoder Ring for MB model designations weighs more than the typical car.)

The 300E was the 'mid-size' Mercedes-Benz, known today as the E-class. It is larger and more powerful (and some say better built) than the 190E, known today as the C-class. Above the 300E were the various S-class models, the most luxurious - and most expensive - of the Mercedes-Benz.

When choosing a Mercedes-Benz, it is important to research the various models and know the reason why you want a Mercedes. I wanted a Mercedes for it's long-term durability and reliability. My research revealed the 300E to be just about the sturdiest and most reliable Mercedes-Benz ever made. Due to it's popularity, parts are plentiful and inexpensive (A lot of parts are less expensive than for my Ford pickup). It is the model that car magazines refer to as a driver's car. The 300E also turns out to be one of the safest cars ever made. And though I was not looking for a status symbol, it does turn heads.

As for driving, I have owned many Hondas and high-performance American muscle cars. Nothing else I've owned has been nearly as pleasurable to drive on the open highway. Nothing else feels as solid. With the 217hp M104 engine, my 300E cruises effortlessly at 85mph and gets over 27mpg while doing it. While I once would have chosen commercial air travel for any trip over 500 miles, I now prefer my 300E for any trip under about 1200 miles.

I once heard of a study revealing that for trips via commercial airlines of 500 miles or less, the door-to-door time results in an average speed of 60mph - and that was before 9/11. The 300E gives me a nice alternative: No waiting to check in, no waiting at baggage carousel 17, no waiting at security checkpoints, nice big comfortable seats, and refreshments and meals of my own choosing.