Newbie Purchase Question
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Newbie
Joined: May 2007
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Newbie Purchase Question
Hi all, I am new but hope I might be around for a while. I have a question about purchasing one of these w124 s
1992
400e Black with grey leather interior
180,000 miles (mostly highway)
well taken care of. garaged day and night. exterior in very good shape, normal tiny rock chips on front and headlights. small scratch on door (1inch); interior great as well; no cracks in leather, wood. side pockets pulling away a bit. otherwise fantastic
Everything interior works. even stereo (cd changer OEM) works great. built in radar detector even works.
Same mechanic has taken care of car for 10 years. Took it to him. Seems like very good guy; runs independent merc shop. Very upfront. Good review of car though he kept reminding me that its a lot of mileage and any car with that kind of mileage has some risk. His summary: car been very well kept and serviced; tiny oil leak, tiny trans leak, tiny powersteering leak which he says are pretty typical for car of this age and do not need attention at moment. Needs new belt tensioner ($3-400), new front tires, new radio antenna. Soon will need central exhaust pipe($400). Shifts fine now, no lag on reverse, etc. though at 180k, who knows how much longer its good. Otherwise, everything that needs to by replaced typically has been, including AC, PS, radiator, wiring harness, etc.
what should this car be selling for privately, IYO? $4200
1992
400e Black with grey leather interior
180,000 miles (mostly highway)
well taken care of. garaged day and night. exterior in very good shape, normal tiny rock chips on front and headlights. small scratch on door (1inch); interior great as well; no cracks in leather, wood. side pockets pulling away a bit. otherwise fantastic
Everything interior works. even stereo (cd changer OEM) works great. built in radar detector even works.
Same mechanic has taken care of car for 10 years. Took it to him. Seems like very good guy; runs independent merc shop. Very upfront. Good review of car though he kept reminding me that its a lot of mileage and any car with that kind of mileage has some risk. His summary: car been very well kept and serviced; tiny oil leak, tiny trans leak, tiny powersteering leak which he says are pretty typical for car of this age and do not need attention at moment. Needs new belt tensioner ($3-400), new front tires, new radio antenna. Soon will need central exhaust pipe($400). Shifts fine now, no lag on reverse, etc. though at 180k, who knows how much longer its good. Otherwise, everything that needs to by replaced typically has been, including AC, PS, radiator, wiring harness, etc.
what should this car be selling for privately, IYO? $4200
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 550
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From: Virginia
Range Rover Classic
It sounds like a tolerable deal. The leaks sound normal. Often the line into the power steering pump becomes loose with age. Correcting it though requires a fair bit of work and isn't worth it. The assembly is recessed in the engine compartment and takes some work to get to.
Problematic Areas
- The Timing Chain -
It isn't officially a wear item but the guides that hold it (at least on the later models) are made of plastic and breakdown. My mechanic says not to bother but you should ask yours. Replacing it is several hours work.
- Air Conditioning -
The evaporator can (but more often than not don't) go bad which is expensive. Its located deep in the dash and its a days work to get in and out. More common are vacuum pod failures. These control the vents that shunt the cold and hot air through the car. Losing one can put the AC into failsafe mode (full defrost). Most of them located behind the dash. Again expensive work.
In general a car of that age will have issues that pop up for no other reason than age regardless of how well pampered its been. I had the seat electronics fail on the passengers side about a month after purchase. A few days later the telescoping wheel function failed. Be aware that issues like that will occur.
In my first year of ownership of my E420 I had the following mandatory item.
- Rear Bushings and Linkages. The rear wheels are set to a five piece multi link suspension. Cost about 700? I can't remember off the top of my head.
In my second year I had the following.
- Vacuum pod failure. Still haven't taken care of it... I'm driving with the windows down currently.
Problematic Areas
- The Timing Chain -
It isn't officially a wear item but the guides that hold it (at least on the later models) are made of plastic and breakdown. My mechanic says not to bother but you should ask yours. Replacing it is several hours work.
- Air Conditioning -
The evaporator can (but more often than not don't) go bad which is expensive. Its located deep in the dash and its a days work to get in and out. More common are vacuum pod failures. These control the vents that shunt the cold and hot air through the car. Losing one can put the AC into failsafe mode (full defrost). Most of them located behind the dash. Again expensive work.
In general a car of that age will have issues that pop up for no other reason than age regardless of how well pampered its been. I had the seat electronics fail on the passengers side about a month after purchase. A few days later the telescoping wheel function failed. Be aware that issues like that will occur.
In my first year of ownership of my E420 I had the following mandatory item.
- Rear Bushings and Linkages. The rear wheels are set to a five piece multi link suspension. Cost about 700? I can't remember off the top of my head.
In my second year I had the following.
- Vacuum pod failure. Still haven't taken care of it... I'm driving with the windows down currently.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5
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thanks.
the timing chain has been replaced and mechanic says its fine.
I am pretty sure the AC compressor and or condenser has been changed. I have to admit my head swam a bit going through all the repair records and I think I cant read my writing. at least one has been fixed. perhaps both. the ac blower mount and ac clutch also repaired. I think the ac has had some serious work done.
here is the deal: I drive 5-6k a year at present. I LOVE old mercs (used to drive a 1977 300D before I moved out of the country for years and sold it). I am willing and can afford to put away $1200-2000 a year for repairs on average, because, as I see it, gets me a far nicer car than the equivalent new car.
What is a reasonable life-span for these cars?
the timing chain has been replaced and mechanic says its fine.
I am pretty sure the AC compressor and or condenser has been changed. I have to admit my head swam a bit going through all the repair records and I think I cant read my writing. at least one has been fixed. perhaps both. the ac blower mount and ac clutch also repaired. I think the ac has had some serious work done.
here is the deal: I drive 5-6k a year at present. I LOVE old mercs (used to drive a 1977 300D before I moved out of the country for years and sold it). I am willing and can afford to put away $1200-2000 a year for repairs on average, because, as I see it, gets me a far nicer car than the equivalent new car.
What is a reasonable life-span for these cars?
Last edited by musicforcities; May 9, 2007 at 05:26 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 145
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From: Ohio
1992 400E
I think a price around $4000 would be very reasonable. Maybe a little less if you can get the seller to factor in the parts you'll need to shortly replace. I have 186,000 on my 400E and she runs as good as ever. I see no problems in getting that mileage up to and beyond 200,000. It also really helps costs if you DIY...I've yet to take my car to any mechanic except to get allignments.
Good luck, you'll love the 400E!
Good luck, you'll love the 400E!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
thanks again.
well, realistically, i am not doing much work myself. no time. small child. work. all that.
so its not really to have a hobby or anything. the mechanic is great. he offered to replace the tensioner for parts cost alone to inaugurate our new relationship.
which made me laugh but also nervous. He suggested asking $3k for the car. which seems very low.
well, realistically, i am not doing much work myself. no time. small child. work. all that.
so its not really to have a hobby or anything. the mechanic is great. he offered to replace the tensioner for parts cost alone to inaugurate our new relationship.
which made me laugh but also nervous. He suggested asking $3k for the car. which seems very low.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Range Rover Classic
As long as your doing the regular maintenance when its required that E400 will outlast you.
He suggested asking $3k for the car. which seems very low.
Last edited by Eliot; May 9, 2007 at 06:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5
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yea, I know. but the mechanic was not wanting to get in the middle of a negotiation, so he asked I not say that he said this. btw, the $4200 is less than asked for orig, and the counter offer to my 3k offer. I am mulling this over and trying determine whether to make another counter offer of say, $3600, or whether to accept the counter offer or walk away. so all this is very helpful. I love the car...its just feels so right.
ah, there is a bit of clunck when you go over a bad bump and have the windows open on the right rear, but the mech couldn't find anything obvious when he checked it over.
ah, there is a bit of clunck when you go over a bad bump and have the windows open on the right rear, but the mech couldn't find anything obvious when he checked it over.
Last edited by musicforcities; May 9, 2007 at 06:28 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Range Rover Classic
Might be the emergency brake cable... saw someone mention that the other day. I'm not sure how exactly that works but reportedly a clunk will occur when its loose.
I think even 4,000 is a good money. The KBB for excellent shape is 4300. Remind the owner of the exhaust and point out whatever other nits you can find. 3600 or 3800 would be a great price.
I think even 4,000 is a good money. The KBB for excellent shape is 4300. Remind the owner of the exhaust and point out whatever other nits you can find. 3600 or 3800 would be a great price.
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