Buying Advice
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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Youngtimer
Buying Advice
Hi,
I've been browsing here for a while, as I've been in the market for an E320. I finally found one I think I want to get, and so figured that I should probably join this board too...
I wouldn't mind a bit of advice before I get this car though! It's a 1994 E320, silver with grey leather interior. It has 103,000 miles on it. I have an appointment to see it in person this weekend, but from what I can see from the pictures, it looks in very good shape (the seller says 'excellent' according to KBB). He wants just under $7,000.
My questions are; Is this a fair price? Are there any specific questions I need to ask about the car before I buy? When I take it to a mechanic to get it looked at, should I ask them to look at anything in particular? Are there any common problems with these cars in general, and this model in particular? Are they expensive to maintain?
Thanks in advance for your help, and hopefully I'll be a permanent fixture here soon....!
I've been browsing here for a while, as I've been in the market for an E320. I finally found one I think I want to get, and so figured that I should probably join this board too...
I wouldn't mind a bit of advice before I get this car though! It's a 1994 E320, silver with grey leather interior. It has 103,000 miles on it. I have an appointment to see it in person this weekend, but from what I can see from the pictures, it looks in very good shape (the seller says 'excellent' according to KBB). He wants just under $7,000.
My questions are; Is this a fair price? Are there any specific questions I need to ask about the car before I buy? When I take it to a mechanic to get it looked at, should I ask them to look at anything in particular? Are there any common problems with these cars in general, and this model in particular? Are they expensive to maintain?
Thanks in advance for your help, and hopefully I'll be a permanent fixture here soon....!
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
Originally Posted by ZedStyle
guess i'm on my own, thanks anyway.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 285
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From: Richmond, Va.
1991 300E
$7,000 is a fair price if everything checks out. Definately look for the service books, take it to a mercedes specailist, pay them $50 or whatever to look it over. M104 motors have the bad head gasket that will leak oil into the coolant and give the coolant resevoir a brown/milky color, don't want that. Check service books and see if timing chain has been replaced. If not, plan on having it done in the next 50k miles, ideally get the head gasket done at the same time. All MB have the VIN on a sticker attached to all major body panels, doors, trunk hood fender. If the car has been wrecked and had replacement body panels put on, they will say "Replacement" on the sticker instead of the VIN. Here's a web site about a guy who bought the same model you're looking at used. should find some pointers here
http://www.davebarnhart.com/mb300e/default.htm
Good luck
http://www.davebarnhart.com/mb300e/default.htm
Good luck
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
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From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
biggies:
Wiring Harness
Radiator neck (plastic ones = bad, metal ones = good)
Check that the throttle (accelerator) cable doesn't stick
Head gasket and valve guides
Blower motor
Aux fan relays
Viscous clutch fan
good luck with the purchase!
Wiring Harness
Radiator neck (plastic ones = bad, metal ones = good)
Check that the throttle (accelerator) cable doesn't stick
Head gasket and valve guides
Blower motor
Aux fan relays
Viscous clutch fan
good luck with the purchase!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Youngtimer
thanks zorro, i'm writing all this ish down!
also, i notice there's no 'regional forums' on this board, i'm trying to find a good place to take this car to get it looked at this sunday in mclean, virginia... if anyone knows anything or where i could look, that would be cool..
also, i notice there's no 'regional forums' on this board, i'm trying to find a good place to take this car to get it looked at this sunday in mclean, virginia... if anyone knows anything or where i could look, that would be cool..
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Whittier,CA
1991 300ce, 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner
Also, get a CarFax on it. Well worth the $25. Even if nothing comes up on the report atleast you've exhausted almost every known method of gather info. on your future ride.
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 285
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From: Richmond, Va.
1991 300E
there are a ton of mercedes specialty garages in D.C. just call up before you go and make an appointment. Most garages are pretty objective on overviews, since they're not trying to sell you the car they don't have any real reason to lie.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Lockport, IL
'95 3.2 M104
Originally Posted by Diesel
Gorbetteam, what happened with your E320? what were the problems you had?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 826
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From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
Knock on wood (burl walnut of course)
I have owned mine for a little more than 7 years. So far all I have experienced is the squeaky blower motor. I suppose the deteriorating harness, leaking head gasket, and leaking evaporator may be in my future, but I will just pay to fix them if they go bad.
I love this car.
I love this car.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Youngtimer
I'm back!
I ended up buying a 1991 Acura Legend with 85K on the clock, got a deal I couldn't turn down...
Now I'm in the process of selling it to finally get a frikkin E-class! Logged back on to write down the list of stuff to look for when I go look at this one tomorrow...
I ended up buying a 1991 Acura Legend with 85K on the clock, got a deal I couldn't turn down...
Now I'm in the process of selling it to finally get a frikkin E-class! Logged back on to write down the list of stuff to look for when I go look at this one tomorrow...
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Modesto, CA
1992 400E (86 300E, 98 S420) - Retired
see you have an altima too. the difference bewtween the altima and the E is like night and day. even though i thought the build quality in the altima is far superior to alot of other jap brands, the merc bows it away.
both cars feel about as fast as eachother, but the benz has torque galore.
both cars feel about as fast as eachother, but the benz has torque galore.
Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 96
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From: Oman
1995-E320 Coupe
chek:
head gasket
Wiring Harness
you'll get no major problems if the car is serviced well.
small leaks here and there for a 12 years old car is normal
** i'm with you "Nick_M_51988" Mercedes is not like altima or maxima ...
it is a heavy car, a stable monster in the highstreet
head gasket
Wiring Harness
you'll get no major problems if the car is serviced well.
small leaks here and there for a 12 years old car is normal
** i'm with you "Nick_M_51988" Mercedes is not like altima or maxima ...
it is a heavy car, a stable monster in the highstreet
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Youngtimer
yeah, i actually sold the altima to buy the legend, should change my signature. the altima was an amazing car for what it was, lot of torque for a 4 banger rice burner (comparatively, i guess). i miss it a lot, it was insanely reliable, but you have to upgrade eventually... i always loved legends, so i bought one, but i love these benzes more.
i will be sure to look out for the wiring harness and head gasket, thanks for the info...
i will be sure to look out for the wiring harness and head gasket, thanks for the info...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,213
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From: Kirkland, WA
500E Signal Rot
Not all MB models have a VIN sticker on every panel. Also, if the vehicle was repainted, its possible to have missing VIN stickers, so it does not indicate an accident. Even then, if it was a small accident that affected only the rear bumper for example, then the VIN sticker would be missing or wrong (only OE MB replacement panels include a sticker that says "replacement" or "oem"). You could then look at the trunk lid and/or the license filler for the presence of a VIN, that would give you an idea of how severe the accident might have been.
Also, allot of repair shops don't install the "replacement" stickers after the panels have been painted.
Also, allot of repair shops don't install the "replacement" stickers after the panels have been painted.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 826
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From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
Originally Posted by ksing44
I have owned mine for a little more than 7 years. So far all I have experienced is the squeaky blower motor. I suppose the deteriorating harness, leaking head gasket, and leaking evaporator may be in my future, but I will just pay to fix them if they go bad.
I love this car.
I love this car.
These W124 cars are not cheap to own, but I really do love mine. At the same time, I will bet you that my wife’s Honda Accord never needs this much work to keep it running at the 100K miles. I do think it is a bit ridiculous that these cars are so prone to expensive repairs around 100K miles. For me it is not too bad, since I have owned it for a long time, but I can’t imagine getting stuck with all of these repairs, if I just purchased the car. All of the advice on these forums is correct. Do not buy a 100K W124, unless the head gasket, wiring harness, water pump have been replaced. In addition, be sure all maintenance has been done on schedule. It seems that all those routine maintenance things that can go undone in a Honda or Toyota, absolutely must be done to these W124s. Things like coolant flushes, transmission flushes, and brake line flushes just have to be done. Even if all of these things have been done, you can still get unlucky with the evaporator or some nonsense with the exotic over-engineered vacuum system.
Even though I absolutely love my car, I don’t think I will do it again. Next time, if I finally give up on my W124, I may go with a utilitarian choice that sacrifices much of the joy of driving the W124, just to try to get away from expensive repairs.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 285
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From: Richmond, Va.
1991 300E
repairs
ditto on kings 44 advice. If you don't keep up with the scheduled repairs, a $100 problem will become a $1,000 problem very quickly. If you're not mechanically inclined and don't want to "keep an eye" on your car, get a jap mobile, Gas, oil and Go. If you don't mind looking under the hood every couple of weeks, then W124's are great cars for tinkerers. The simplest, best advice when looking at these cars is, buy one that's looks to be in good shape. I know that sound insanely stupid, but after buying 3 w124's in the last 3 years, I've learned that there are 2 kinds of benz owners: Those that take care of their cars and those that don't. It's pretty easy to tell the difference between the two when looking at a car. If the interior is in good shape, clean paint, no crazy mods or wires under the hood, chances are somebody took care of the car. And it Should hold up fairly well. If the seats are torn, paint faded, or if the car is wildly different from stock, walk away. Chances are it was owned by somebody who couldn't afford to take car of it and abused it.
Thread Starter
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Youngtimer
thanks guys... nice balance between mhorn and ksing. i heard the same things when i was buying my legend, that they were insanely expensive to maintain, but the only thing i've had to do on the car is... nothing. runs like a top.
i guess taking it to a mechanic to get it checked out is a must before buying.
also, it would be cool if someone could make a sticky of all the things people should look for, etc... they had one on the legend site that was pretty helpful, both to new people and old people...
http://www.acura-legend.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=71633
i guess taking it to a mechanic to get it checked out is a must before buying.
also, it would be cool if someone could make a sticky of all the things people should look for, etc... they had one on the legend site that was pretty helpful, both to new people and old people...
http://www.acura-legend.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=71633
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
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Youngtimer
okay. i FINALLY sold my acura yesterday, so have some cash to buy my new used car... i found a 95 with about 83k miles on it. it looks to be in excellent shape, both the interior and exterior were money, save for a small gouge in the front bumper, really nothing major. i am going to get it checked out by a mechanic before i buy, but i wanted to know what a fair price would be? they are asking pretty much 10k, but are 'willing to negotiate'.
i think this could really be it, so please let me know what you think it might be worth... thanks!!
i think this could really be it, so please let me know what you think it might be worth... thanks!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,197
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From: USA
18 G550, 24 EQB3504M
A/C Evaporator...
Mine leaked at the end of summer (two summers ago).
I had to have this and some other vacuum pods under the dash replaced on my E420 along with the upper engine wiring harness. It cost half the average W124 E320/300E on the market...
But it sure is an amazing 11 year old car. Really drives unbelievably well.
Mine leaked at the end of summer (two summers ago).
I had to have this and some other vacuum pods under the dash replaced on my E420 along with the upper engine wiring harness. It cost half the average W124 E320/300E on the market...
But it sure is an amazing 11 year old car. Really drives unbelievably well.
