HOPEFULLY IM IN THE RIGHT PLACE NOW!
I am considering a purchase of either the 300 CE Coupe or the E 320 Coupe. Is there anyone that can give me information and advice for either of the cars? Anything will be helpful. Thanks in advance
-blume

 

I have never owned a Mercedes either. I also have not ever had a car that was as old as the ones that I am now looking at. How will the maintenance be on a yearly basis? I just dont want to get myself into something that will be a problem for me. I have liked these for some time now and would like to make the move. Please, anything appreciated.

 

Blume! all I can say is they are a labor of love! Best advice is to by the cleanest best kept one you can find! If you have someone who knows these cars take him with you!

Smokie

 

anyone had one in the past? looking for help...

 

i have one and they are not cheap to maintain. i have a laundry list of things. lets suffice it to say you will have to do repairs on any 300ce. they are 10+ years old and nothing seems to be inexpensive to do. i am not trying to convince you not to buy one but be prepared to upkeep it.

 

as i live close to everything and everywhere i go now, i only drive 200 or less miles a month. im trying to figure what i would be getting myself in to. thanks, anyone else?

 

If your not handy with a wrench and DIY then don't buy one!! Repairs would cost more than the price of another used CE. I have a 20 year old 86 300e but i would not buy another one unless i got it 4 cheap. Right now im in that zone where i know im going to have to change all kinds of stuff because mine has 216k miles @ 1k a month with oil changed 3k miles i know this engine is not going to last to 300k miles. As i see it right now i know my tranny is about to go and the engine will need valve stem seals.


GET ONE WITH REALLY LOWW MILES!! & SERVICE RECORD!!

 

from researching the net, there is only 1 in the U.S. with less than 60K miles and they want $19,000. crazy i know. im located in Texas. Anyone know of one or a few to take a look at?

 

lol mine has more then 160 and i would sell it for 19k. lol.

 

I've owned my 1991 300CE since 1995 (picked it up with Starmark warranty and 70,000 miles on the odo). It is 040 Black with Palomino interior.

Fast forward ten years.....

It serves as my daily driver and I now have almost 206,000 miles on the car. It remains a very solid, safe and beautiful car but will cost you to maintain it correctly.

I budget about $4,000 annually for upkeep, but have never spent that much in one year...came close once or twice though. Some of the more recent expenses (over the past couple years) I've incurred:

$650 - set of Michelins, mounted, high-speed balanaced
$700 - full brake job - rotors, pads, sensors, new brake fluid, etc.
$200 - driver's side lock
$600 - radiator (done as a preventative at 200K)

Thankfully, I have had virtually no trouble with the A/C....a VERY expensive fix on these cars ($2K plus).

I have the car serviced every 5,000 miles with Castrol 20W-50 and my techs can do a once over on the car and check for any problems or can fix something I may notice needs repair. I usually go by their suggestions and have the work done as needed. I am not a DIYer and over the long haul, my shop has earned my trust.

Despite being a 16 year old car, it still passes emmissions no problem and gets 20-21 mpg around town, but does use some oil. I am preparing myself financially for a vavle job (at worst) or new valve seals and stems (at least). The transmission is still serviceable, but when it starts to deteriorate or slip, I'll have it replaced too....or look into have a 5-speed installed :v

I have considered selling the car a few times, but the paltry amount I could get for it would not amount to much. The car is more valuable to me just using it, rather than putting more miles on my CLK55. I can't imagine another car I'd like to own in the $5,000-$7,500 range. The lines of the W124 coupe are some of the most beautiful for any automobile maker, IMO.

Parts are expensive and hourly labor is some of the highest in the business. Historically, Mercedes-Benz has earned their reputation for quality and longevity for two reasons: Over-engineered cars and owners who are willing to spend the $$$ to keep them on the road in good condition.

You have never owned a Mercedes-Benz before. My advice? Join the club, but be prepared to maintain the car or it may come back to haunt you.

 

thanks for your time and reply chappy. right now i have a 2001 chevy 2500 hd and i never have any maintenace issues, which i like. the truck is a 6.0 gas and gets 10 or less mpg. i like the truck, but gas is high. a tank is $75. with that being said, i have always liked this style car and wouldnt mind a much lower pmt. and something i like much more.