flyt300

So I never have owned a Benz so my recent need for a daily driver sent me lookin. Happened across this very well taken care of '92 300CE with 103k miles.

Everything works except the trip odometer. But I'm thinking the oil pressure gauge should be added to the mix because it reads 3 bar all the time when the car is on. 1st question: sound like a typical sending unit problem?

The car rides excellent with good braking and smooth ride. Low speed accelleration is a bit disappointing tho. I read praise for this car in this department but mine seems very sluggish from a start. Rolling accelleration doesn't seem as bad but I'm wondering about the transmission. It's almost as if first gear isn't used on take off and I can't seem to get it to downshift just one gear. After it detects the request to speed up, it "thinks" about it and then when it doesn't downshift once, I squeeze a bit more throttle but then it downshifts 2 gears. 2nd question: how much of this could be normal or do I need a trans service? BTW, I would have expected the upshifts to be silky smooth on this car and they're just so so.

I'm sure I'll have more questions over time.. so thanks in advance!

blume

looks great!

YNVDIZW124

Most people will kill for an interior like that cuz i know i would. How much did you spend?? About the tranny you can adjust the linkage and about the shifts you may need a new flex disc.

AMG_Fred

Are all the shifts rough? Or are they a flare? If so, you can just adjust the modulator. Interior looks pristine! don't forget to get euros and updated tails! And you may think the acceleration is bad because it starts off in second gear. To start off in first when first accelerating, move the gear into second, then back into drive. you will love the improvement in handling. Good luck with your car!

flyt300

Thanks for the props gang! Yea, was very pleased with the condition. Even the trunk is clean! I did the second gear thing once and thought I noticed a difference but thought I was crazy! I'll check it out again.

I'm already considering some mods. I've already been scoping posts about clear corners. I think they would update the look of the car a bit. Is there a board sponsor that sells them? Also, found some really clean 8 hole chrome wheels. A little more contemporary and nice to have 16" instead of my 15's.
They have 50% Conti Sport Contacts (which I'm not fond of) Are these worth $500?




-Dan

flyt300

No, I'd say it's just the 2nd to 3rd that is a clunk (in action, not sound) Otherwise other shifts are "ok", just not silky smooth. Maybe I have too high of expectations for a Benz.

-Dan
PS I have 2 Linkin Park CD's in my 6 multi disk.

AMG_Eric

no they are not worth it. i would look for some amg wheels or some brabus wheels. when u buy wheels with tires you are going to have drivability issues unless the tires are brand new. i just updated my ce from amg aero 2's to brabus monoblocks.

AMG_Fred

hmm, when was the last time fluid and filter for the tranny was changed? and cool. sorry to say, but linkin park has dissappointed me after their hybrid theory cd... im thinking of another username which isnt' just a fad.... and i think you should get the frosted corners and not the crystal clear ones unless you get hella headlights instead of depo ones.

neanderthal

124s usually start in 2nd gear. that is normal

there usually is a slight wait before commands are executed by the tranny. i mistakenly dropped the shifter into 2nd one time when i was doing about 80, recognised it and averted an expensive breakdown with some quick action.

i think they also have a 2 stage kickdown switch. this one i could be wrong about.

X03

about the acceleration, i dunno what other people have been saying but the w124's are....well hahaha yeah. at least to me it feels more of a tank than a 'quick' car. but nice car, clean interior.

CDP

the kick down switch is located behind the gas pedal.

Anyways, nice CE you have there Dan.

As what Eric said in his post, those wheels aren't worth throwing 500 down for. I would save the money or perhaps save a little bit more and wait until you find a perfect set. Keep a constant eye out in the classified section here on this forum. You'll find some good deals on wheels, like Eric did on his Brabus Monoblocks.

You can find corner lights here on this website.
http://www.importvision.com

they have a selection to choose from. I don't see a point to get the updated W124 Clear/Amber corner nights. You might as well go all out and get fully clear ones. May I also suggest painting the grill black.

e320newbie

my e320 was far from slugish man, it was fast as F!ck no slug there...

flyt300

So I called the mechanic that had been working on this car to see what scheduled maintenance had been done and when. 90k done at 94k (and air con converted to R134 ) so it has recent tranny fluid change and filter.

He said I can adjust a cable from the trans to make the car stay in gear longer and decrease the amount of throttle input required to start in first gear. So.... this makes me think that if you floor it in D, that the car will start in 1st gear. (I have yet to prove this theory) But I did unscrew the cable adjuster (white plastic hex around a black cable coming up from the tranny behind the airbox) two rotations and it made a BIG difference. The car definitely stays in each gear longer, i'm not convinced it's starting in 1st yet, but it feels WAY better in the "how much throttle I have to apply to get the thing to go" dept. It also seems to downshift more quickly now. Meaning it takes less throttle input to get it to downshift.

Much happier now!

Smokiesman

Your going to have to add a "start in first " for a better word part to make car start in first gear. You can also just manualy upshift through the gears if you want the extra zip!

Smokie

Makahveli

We need to make or need to be directed to a free modifications thread on here, and of course I mean in the ways of performance

flyt300

For those that stumble across this thread because of the clear corner banter, here is my experience with them...

I ended up getting the frosted corners. I put them on the car and even they were on the road to too blingy for me. One of the lenses I received had some glue along one edge and instead of shipping back and sending new they offered to just send me a new set. I asked if I could switch to the smoked and they said yes. So now I have the smoked ones and they are WAY better. No comparison, much better match to the stock headlights.

Now as long as I don't do the headlights I'm good! (although I have the frosted, the glue really isn't that visible when they're on the car, if I go for headlights some day!)

For clarification I found 3 kinds of corner lights. 1) chromelike background with a non textured lens. 2) chromelike background with a textured lens, and chromelike background with a smoked textured lens. I had 2 & 3 and liked 3 better with the stock headlights.

Luokyio

It starts always with second gear. Only when kickdowning, 1st comes in. You can adjust it yourself, how hard are the changes.

There is no need for repairing transmission with those mileages. They last over half million kilometers without repairing. But I suggest you change the oil and filter about every 50 000 miles. The manufacturer says that even oil is not needed to change, but it always helps the durability when you change them regularly.

Makahveli

I myself am a recently 1st benz owner and was wondering what this seat belt extender I read about and how does it work

Luokyio

That is only in coupes. When you sit in your car, that extender gives the seat belt closer and it's easier to put on.

POS

Sluggish? Try the diesel sometime. Getting to 80mph takes a bit, but it sure loves cruising at that speed.

My little "wagon":

flyt300

If you were asking how hard is it to make the adjustment I spoke of, its easy. Read above for the location of the adjustment, grab a 13mm wrench and adjust away. You don't have to remove anything, just reach behind the airbox and find the white plastic adjuster. (keep in mind it may be covered in dirt and not look white!) A shorter wrench is helpful, but not necessary.

E320BENZ

Looks nice.... the interior is real clean,

Luokyio

Sorry for my bad english... I didn't ask it, just told that it's possible to adjust it yourself :P

wrestlerspride

i bought this 92 300ce less than a year ago and all it has been is trouble. i dont even know if i want to buy another benz ever again. thats how bad my experience has been. in less than 9 months i had to replace the battery, air pump, all belts, 2 belt pullys, rear shocks, fan clutch, and electrical wiring for radio. right now the car still does not run good. it idles high in park and neutral and i think it has major tranny problems. when put in drive it will sometimes stay in drive and sometimes switch to neutral....than go back to drive.....than go back to neutral. rpms will usually go high when shifting and it rarely shifts smooth. i do not know if the tranny is almost gone, or i need to get a tranny flush or replace the air filter or something. can someone please help me. it seems to only do this at lower speeds and warming up.

cap'n jasper

flyt300,
Your interior is one of the best I've seen.
It's only let down by these parts..

They are available from your dealer for about $5.
Part numbers (check with your dealer)
MA124 692 11 22/ 8412
MA124 692 12 22/ 8412