300E purchase
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
1988 300E 3.0 L
300E purchase
I'm in the process of obtaining a 88 300E for a dealer hear in Maryland for about $3000. I don't know much about the technical aspects of the Mercedes. I was wondering of anyone has any advice for me? Is this a good year, and if so, what should I keep my eyes open for? Are there any expensive problems that I may encounter should I get this car?
My first one was a 93. I only had it for about 4 months, but it was totalled in an accident (not my fault though). I'm anxious to but another, but I want to make a sound investment.
Any advice would be more than appreciated.
Thanks and God Bless!
My first one was a 93. I only had it for about 4 months, but it was totalled in an accident (not my fault though). I'm anxious to but another, but I want to make a sound investment.
Any advice would be more than appreciated.
Thanks and God Bless!
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: Montreal, Canada
260E , 1989 (for now)
Major things to check before buying:
Oil leak: The 103 engine is a leaker. Front of engine----generally front cover, not major, but a few hundred $$$
Side/rear of engine: Head gasket: could go to $1000.
A/C: Cool?. if not, this could be a big question mark; The evaporator could cost $3,000 to replace.
Also check for: radiator/coolant leak (water pump, radiator)
Flex disks on the driving shaft
Oil consumption: valve seals and or valve guides.
These car will generally lasst wellover 200,000 if well maintained.
Poor maintenance will seriously reduce life. Good luck
jackD
Oil leak: The 103 engine is a leaker. Front of engine----generally front cover, not major, but a few hundred $$$
Side/rear of engine: Head gasket: could go to $1000.
A/C: Cool?. if not, this could be a big question mark; The evaporator could cost $3,000 to replace.
Also check for: radiator/coolant leak (water pump, radiator)
Flex disks on the driving shaft
Oil consumption: valve seals and or valve guides.
These car will generally lasst wellover 200,000 if well maintained.
Poor maintenance will seriously reduce life. Good luck
jackD
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
88 300E
I just wanted to say I have an 89 300E with 296,000 miles. I drive it hard and it still performs well. I do keep it well maintained, though. JackD has got some good things to check. My A/C is shot and I don't even worry about fixing it. I don't mind rolling the windows down, and since summer is almost gone, who cares! My 89 does consume a good amount of oil. But again, I really don't care because the car performs well, has lasted forever, and is relatively cheap to maintain for a Benz.
As you might know, the car will not be a "good investment." No car is a good investment, but the used 300Es were known as great cars at great values.
Good luck, and if you do get the car, use this forum when you have problems. It has saved me tons of $$$. I have also successfully installed an MP3/XM Player/Radio myself just with info from this forum.
As you might know, the car will not be a "good investment." No car is a good investment, but the used 300Es were known as great cars at great values.
Good luck, and if you do get the car, use this forum when you have problems. It has saved me tons of $$$. I have also successfully installed an MP3/XM Player/Radio myself just with info from this forum.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: oakland, ca
1990 300TE
My mechanics have told me to expect a valve job between 160 > 220k miles (depending on my tolerance for oil consumption) and maybe a head gasket as the other poster said. Keep an eye on that head gasket; you do NOT want to notice it when the coolant turns brown/black....then it gets more expensive because the whole cooling system needs to be cleaned up.
Check the rear suspension as both shock towers on my 1987 300D collapsed and broke through the trunk (one in a triple digit speed corner; that was an andrenaline rush). Some parts in the AC system can be pricey (blower, bush button assembly) so have all the connections and hoses checked out thoroughly by a qualified benz mechanic. Qualified means NOT the dealer; qualified is an independent that regularly works on older, high mileage cars. The dealers typically don't work on many of the high mileage older cars so they don't get that much experience on them; beware.
For a car costing 3k I would have a minimum budget available of at least ANOTHER 4k for the next year to potentially put into the car. If the paint and interior are nice AND the car has not been in a serious accident (fender benders ok) then you have only mechanic stuff to fret about.
Are the front seats sagging? They should be nice and firm with the springs working. I don't know about a 124 seat but a 123 front seat can cost 300ea to rebuild if you have somebody else do it and this does NOT include a new seat cover; this is only the internals.
Good luck.
Carl
Check the rear suspension as both shock towers on my 1987 300D collapsed and broke through the trunk (one in a triple digit speed corner; that was an andrenaline rush). Some parts in the AC system can be pricey (blower, bush button assembly) so have all the connections and hoses checked out thoroughly by a qualified benz mechanic. Qualified means NOT the dealer; qualified is an independent that regularly works on older, high mileage cars. The dealers typically don't work on many of the high mileage older cars so they don't get that much experience on them; beware.
For a car costing 3k I would have a minimum budget available of at least ANOTHER 4k for the next year to potentially put into the car. If the paint and interior are nice AND the car has not been in a serious accident (fender benders ok) then you have only mechanic stuff to fret about.
Are the front seats sagging? They should be nice and firm with the springs working. I don't know about a 124 seat but a 123 front seat can cost 300ea to rebuild if you have somebody else do it and this does NOT include a new seat cover; this is only the internals.
Good luck.
Carl
