New Here: Interested in 300CE
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Joined: Oct 2009
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New Here: Interested in 300CE
Hello Everyone,
I am new to the forum and very glad to have found it. I am hoping to learn a lot from you all as I make inroads towards purchasing my first Benz. A couple of months ago I was looking through a car lot full of cars from the Cash for Clunkers program when I came upon a MB that really caught my attention.
It was a coupe that looked like it was from the late 80s or early 90s. This car's geometry and posture really made an impression on me. Unfortunately, I saw that it had the C4C written on the windshield. After looking at it I learned that it was a 300CE. I've seen plenty of sedans from this period but never a coupe and I felt very sad that this beautiful car was or already had been destroyed.
The next business day I contacted the dealer and asked if the car could be purchased. They told me that it had already been killed and was awaiting removal. I learned from talking to the dealer that the car was a 1991. To make a long story short, I've become smitten with this model and am looking to buy one. I'm interested in doing as much research as I can before I buy which brings me to this forum.
I'm hoping that I can learn a lot from the people on this forum and I thank you in advance for the education and answering any questions I have.
I am new to the forum and very glad to have found it. I am hoping to learn a lot from you all as I make inroads towards purchasing my first Benz. A couple of months ago I was looking through a car lot full of cars from the Cash for Clunkers program when I came upon a MB that really caught my attention.
It was a coupe that looked like it was from the late 80s or early 90s. This car's geometry and posture really made an impression on me. Unfortunately, I saw that it had the C4C written on the windshield. After looking at it I learned that it was a 300CE. I've seen plenty of sedans from this period but never a coupe and I felt very sad that this beautiful car was or already had been destroyed.
The next business day I contacted the dealer and asked if the car could be purchased. They told me that it had already been killed and was awaiting removal. I learned from talking to the dealer that the car was a 1991. To make a long story short, I've become smitten with this model and am looking to buy one. I'm interested in doing as much research as I can before I buy which brings me to this forum.
I'm hoping that I can learn a lot from the people on this forum and I thank you in advance for the education and answering any questions I have.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,734
Likes: 65
From: Hotlanta
AMG
Take your time and I'm sure you will find a nice example to put in your garage.
I owned a 1991 300CE for 12 years. I was the second owner, bought it in 1995 with 70,000 on the odometer. After having kids recently, I needed more space, so I sold my 300CE with 221,000 miles on it.
Overall, the car was very reliable - but - with any Mercedes-Benz, you have to keep up with maintenance and repair. Little things can turn into big repairs if ignored, and that's when it can get expensive.
The W124 coupe was introduced in the United States for the 1988 model year. It was equipped with a 177hp 3.0L in-line 6cyl. 1988 and 1989 came equipped with this motor, called the M103.
For 1990, the U.S.-spec 300CE went to a 4-valve per cylinder configuation (M104 engine), in the 3.0L in-line 6cyl. making 217hp. The 300CE had this engine from 1990-1992.
In 1993, the 300CE received the 3.2L (24v) engine, producing 217hp, and had a decent bump in torque.
For 1994-1995, the cars were renamed E320 coupe and received the "facelifted" front end treatment. It retained the 3.2L (24v M104) engine.
There are some differences in the fuel management systems, depending on model year. Also, there was a "Sportline" option which stiffened the handling on these coupes - this option was offered on the 1992-1995 model years only, and are very difficult to locate.
Best thing to do is to establish your budget and seek out a coupe that fits your purchasing decisions. Most importantly, have a thorough pre-purchase inspection done.
Best of luck in your hunt!
I owned a 1991 300CE for 12 years. I was the second owner, bought it in 1995 with 70,000 on the odometer. After having kids recently, I needed more space, so I sold my 300CE with 221,000 miles on it.
Overall, the car was very reliable - but - with any Mercedes-Benz, you have to keep up with maintenance and repair. Little things can turn into big repairs if ignored, and that's when it can get expensive.
The W124 coupe was introduced in the United States for the 1988 model year. It was equipped with a 177hp 3.0L in-line 6cyl. 1988 and 1989 came equipped with this motor, called the M103.
For 1990, the U.S.-spec 300CE went to a 4-valve per cylinder configuation (M104 engine), in the 3.0L in-line 6cyl. making 217hp. The 300CE had this engine from 1990-1992.
In 1993, the 300CE received the 3.2L (24v) engine, producing 217hp, and had a decent bump in torque.
For 1994-1995, the cars were renamed E320 coupe and received the "facelifted" front end treatment. It retained the 3.2L (24v M104) engine.
There are some differences in the fuel management systems, depending on model year. Also, there was a "Sportline" option which stiffened the handling on these coupes - this option was offered on the 1992-1995 model years only, and are very difficult to locate.
Best thing to do is to establish your budget and seek out a coupe that fits your purchasing decisions. Most importantly, have a thorough pre-purchase inspection done.
Best of luck in your hunt!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 281
Likes: 4
From: IL / WI
Depends on the day
i love my Sportline coupe. 
I have 500E wheels with 225/50 and boy, do they really bring out how, what i think, the whole sportline thing was designed to handle! i did a few autocross with it this year and holy moly, it doesn't want to break loose! at one point i thought i'd fly out the driver window.
Chappy pretty much hit the nail on the head there, but like any W124, the AC's evaporator can be leaky and be a very costly repair on any W124. make sure the the transmission doesn't have any delays, especially reverse. reverse should engage in about 1 - 1.5 seconds, if it's longer, then reverse may be going down a beaten path to doom. if no delays, you should be good. forward gears should engage smoothly and quickly without excessive clunking..
later models 93-95 have wiring harness issues...make sure that has been done, and i can't really think of anything else right about now.
I have 500E wheels with 225/50 and boy, do they really bring out how, what i think, the whole sportline thing was designed to handle! i did a few autocross with it this year and holy moly, it doesn't want to break loose! at one point i thought i'd fly out the driver window.
Chappy pretty much hit the nail on the head there, but like any W124, the AC's evaporator can be leaky and be a very costly repair on any W124. make sure the the transmission doesn't have any delays, especially reverse. reverse should engage in about 1 - 1.5 seconds, if it's longer, then reverse may be going down a beaten path to doom. if no delays, you should be good. forward gears should engage smoothly and quickly without excessive clunking..later models 93-95 have wiring harness issues...make sure that has been done, and i can't really think of anything else right about now.
Last edited by bsmuwk; Oct 21, 2009 at 07:49 PM.
