Buying a 320e with a starter problem
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Daimler
Buying a 320e with a starter problem
hi all
i went to look at a 1992 320e yesterday. everything seemed fine on the test run, but after swtiching the engine off for a bit to look at the paper work, it wouldn't start again. The owner told me there was a starter problem and got the car running again by tapping the starter motor with a hammer! is this common? He has since had the starter tightened and says everything is running fine at the moment.
If i had to replace the starter, would it have to be specific to the 320, or would other models fit? I've had a look on ebay and there are no 320 starters for this year, but there are a few for the 260 or 280. how can i find the part number i need?
I'm no mechanic, but if its a simple case of bolting on the new starter, I can probably cope with that, or is it a more technical job?
Any advice would be appreciated to help me decide whether to buy the car or not.
cheers
i went to look at a 1992 320e yesterday. everything seemed fine on the test run, but after swtiching the engine off for a bit to look at the paper work, it wouldn't start again. The owner told me there was a starter problem and got the car running again by tapping the starter motor with a hammer! is this common? He has since had the starter tightened and says everything is running fine at the moment.
If i had to replace the starter, would it have to be specific to the 320, or would other models fit? I've had a look on ebay and there are no 320 starters for this year, but there are a few for the 260 or 280. how can i find the part number i need?
I'm no mechanic, but if its a simple case of bolting on the new starter, I can probably cope with that, or is it a more technical job?
Any advice would be appreciated to help me decide whether to buy the car or not.
cheers
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
hi all
i went to look at a 1992 320e yesterday. everything seemed fine on the test run, but after swtiching the engine off for a bit to look at the paper work, it wouldn't start again. The owner told me there was a starter problem and got the car running again by tapping the starter motor with a hammer! is this common? He has since had the starter tightened and says everything is running fine at the moment.
If i had to replace the starter, would it have to be specific to the 320, or would other models fit? I've had a look on ebay and there are no 320 starters for this year, but there are a few for the 260 or 280. how can i find the part number i need?
I'm no mechanic, but if its a simple case of bolting on the new starter, I can probably cope with that, or is it a more technical job?
Any advice would be appreciated to help me decide whether to buy the car or not.
cheers
i went to look at a 1992 320e yesterday. everything seemed fine on the test run, but after swtiching the engine off for a bit to look at the paper work, it wouldn't start again. The owner told me there was a starter problem and got the car running again by tapping the starter motor with a hammer! is this common? He has since had the starter tightened and says everything is running fine at the moment.
If i had to replace the starter, would it have to be specific to the 320, or would other models fit? I've had a look on ebay and there are no 320 starters for this year, but there are a few for the 260 or 280. how can i find the part number i need?
I'm no mechanic, but if its a simple case of bolting on the new starter, I can probably cope with that, or is it a more technical job?
Any advice would be appreciated to help me decide whether to buy the car or not.
cheers
If it were me and someone were selling me a car they knew there was an issue and did not disclose it and I found out by circumstance I would question everything on the car. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me. There are a lot of really nice 124's out there so don't rush into one that you can not be certain of its overall condition. Parts for these puppies are very high and diagnosing problems at times can be very difficult. Just some advice. Gary
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Daimler
The most probable cause is the internal point and or solenoid are bad and that is why tapping triggers a start. You should be able to just replace the starter and be fine HOWEVER!!! If it were me and someone were selling me a car they knew there was an issue and did not disclose it and I found out by circumstance I would question everything on the car. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me. There are a lot of really nice 124's out there so don't rush into one that you can not be certain of its overall condition. Parts for these puppies are very high and diagnosing problems at times can be very difficult. Just some advice.
Gary
If it were me and someone were selling me a car they knew there was an issue and did not disclose it and I found out by circumstance I would question everything on the car. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me. There are a lot of really nice 124's out there so don't rush into one that you can not be certain of its overall condition. Parts for these puppies are very high and diagnosing problems at times can be very difficult. Just some advice. Gary
Wise words indeed!
Overall, the car seemed very good, and I think you have to accept that somethings will go wrong with old cars. It's got a full and recent service history, so at the right price, it could be worth a gamble.
On my other question, does anyone know which starter motor i would need as I'd prefer to get it replaced before it let me down. would any w124 or 320 (maybe s class or ml) do the job?
thanks
rich
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
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From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
It seems to me that if the problem was as simple as replacing the starter, the owner would have taken care of it to make it ready for sale. This is a red flag to me that maybe the fix isn't as simple as replacing the starter. If that's all it truly needs, then I'd say this is a minor detail.
What are you looking at? My notes tell me that the 320E wasn't offered in 92.
What are you looking at? My notes tell me that the 320E wasn't offered in 92.
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Daimler
It seems to me that if the problem was as simple as replacing the starter, the owner would have taken care of it to make it ready for sale. This is a red flag to me that maybe the fix isn't as simple as replacing the starter. If that's all it truly needs, then I'd say this is a minor detail.
What are you looking at? My notes tell me that the 320E wasn't offered in 92.
What are you looking at? My notes tell me that the 320E wasn't offered in 92.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=220300849517
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
This is the car....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=220300849517
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=220300849517
