SilverFocusZX3

Hello everyone,

I am kind of new to the forum have mainly been in love with all the pics you guys have been posting of your cars and have been checking them out for months.

Anyways I have a chance to pick up a 1994 E320 for $3,000 that has 178k on the odometer. The vehicle is two tone being black and grey on the bottom and the body seems to be in great shape except for needing new bumpers as they are both cracked and have holes in them.

The question I have for you guys is what are the common problems I should look for with these cars if there are any? I really dont know anything about them just that I have always thought they are sexy cars when I see them on the road. Any help would be great as I have to decided by Friday if I want the car basically as it is suppost to go on sale at a local auction but I have a friend who works at the auction house who can purchase it for me at $3000 even.

Chappy

Do not buy the car without having it inspected. The tech will tell you most of what needs fixing prior to purchase.

Also, run a Carfax to see if it has a salvage title.

SilverFocusZX3

Thats one of the issues I am having I cannot take the car to a mechanic to check it out. The car is prepped to be sold at the auction this weekend so they dont want it leaving the storage area.

I could do a carfax report which is probably what I am going to try and do will need to sign up for it later.

STLe320

it seems they lose head gaskets...and o2 sensor's after a while

ZedStyle

get one of those mobile car inspection services. they won't be benz experts, but for $100 you'll have a lot better idea of what you're getting into

shdoug

What everyone else said, and-

look for oil leaks on the right (passenger in the US) side of the block, front and rear- leaky head gasket/timing case cover. Very common. You might also pull the dipstick and the oil cap and look for signs of water in the oil.

Deteriorated wiring harness. This is the wiring that lays on top of the engine and around the back of the head. The are biodegradable and sort of "petrify" in place. If it's stiff or frayed, run away or plan to spend about $1,000 on the part and a Saturday afternoon replacing it.

If you can start it, make sure the reverse gear engages smoothly and within about a half second. Maybe up to 1 second if it's cold weather. Any longer than that and the tranny is on its way out.

Even if all this checks out, plan to spend at least $1,000 per year in repairs. You may get lucky and spend less, but that's not very likely.