What to look for 1990 300CE
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 259
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From: Calgary, AB
1995 E320 Cabriolet
What to look for 1990 300CE
I have been looking for a 300CE for a while. Quite rare up here, most ones you see are Imported garbage from Japan for 9-10K. I found a 1990 with 250 000 km hit in the back (written off). Seller says it needs trunk, bumper and tail light, I am not worried about body work as I know some people who do it on the side.
What else should I look for other then headgasket, transmission issues? Oh ya, he is asking for $600 for it. Too much?
What else should I look for other then headgasket, transmission issues? Oh ya, he is asking for $600 for it. Too much?
Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Raleigh, NC
2001 E55 AMG - 2001 E320 - 1990 300CE
250K is a lot of miles!
With that many miles you are looking at some serious money to bring it up to reliable driving condition. I would suspect that you will need to replace a whole lot of components to get her back in shape.
Starting with a transmission overhaul.
Engine timing chain replacement.
Vbelt and tensioner along with most every component on the drive, water pump, alternator, power steering, air conditioner, etc.
Fuel pumps and filters.
Brakes
The list goes on and now with the body work you are well into $7-8K plus your time.
Just find a good 300CE with lower milage. We have one here in Raleigh that has 87000 miles and was a Florida car. I've looked at it and it appears to be in pretty good shape. They exist out there just keep looking and leave this one for the heap.
Starting with a transmission overhaul.
Engine timing chain replacement.
Vbelt and tensioner along with most every component on the drive, water pump, alternator, power steering, air conditioner, etc.
Fuel pumps and filters.
Brakes
The list goes on and now with the body work you are well into $7-8K plus your time.
Just find a good 300CE with lower milage. We have one here in Raleigh that has 87000 miles and was a Florida car. I've looked at it and it appears to be in pretty good shape. They exist out there just keep looking and leave this one for the heap.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 977
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
Is "up here", Canada? 155k miles isn't so high
"Down here" in CA, CE's are plentiful and relatively cheap.
The rear tail lights are the same as sedans. If your rear glass is cracked, that is an expensive new and rare used item. The trunk and rear fenders are unique as well so yours will have to be repairable.
The ignition control module or EZL and the M104 3.0L engine head are unique to the 90 to 92 CE. The EZL's are pricey if you need one.
Look for the typical problems: transmission, rear suspension bushings, all the auxiliary items such as alt, starter, steering pump, air compressor, fuel pump, etc. or any part with rubber or bearings.
The front folding seats are rare and unique to the Coupes and Cabriolets. You can swap a good sedan seat bottom. I believe the seat motors interchange. The rear seats are unique but usually in hardly used condition.
All the glass, doors, and seat belt extenders are unique to the CE/Cab. The rest is interchangeable with the sedan. If you get the 88-89 CE with the same sedan M103 engine. If you can find an '93 3.2L or '94-95 E320 Coupe, there are more interchangeable M104 parts.
"Down here" in CA, CE's are plentiful and relatively cheap.
The rear tail lights are the same as sedans. If your rear glass is cracked, that is an expensive new and rare used item. The trunk and rear fenders are unique as well so yours will have to be repairable.
The ignition control module or EZL and the M104 3.0L engine head are unique to the 90 to 92 CE. The EZL's are pricey if you need one.
Look for the typical problems: transmission, rear suspension bushings, all the auxiliary items such as alt, starter, steering pump, air compressor, fuel pump, etc. or any part with rubber or bearings.
The front folding seats are rare and unique to the Coupes and Cabriolets. You can swap a good sedan seat bottom. I believe the seat motors interchange. The rear seats are unique but usually in hardly used condition.
All the glass, doors, and seat belt extenders are unique to the CE/Cab. The rest is interchangeable with the sedan. If you get the 88-89 CE with the same sedan M103 engine. If you can find an '93 3.2L or '94-95 E320 Coupe, there are more interchangeable M104 parts.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB
1995 E320 Cabriolet
Is "up here", Canada? 155k miles isn't so high
"Down here" in CA, CE's are plentiful and relatively cheap.
The rear tail lights are the same as sedans. If your rear glass is cracked, that is an expensive new and rare used item. The trunk and rear fenders are unique as well so yours will have to be repairable.
The ignition control module or EZL and the M104 3.0L engine head are unique to the 90 to 92 CE. The EZL's are pricey if you need one.
Look for the typical problems: transmission, rear suspension bushings, all the auxiliary items such as alt, starter, steering pump, air compressor, fuel pump, etc. or any part with rubber or bearings.
The front folding seats are rare and unique to the Coupes and Cabriolets. You can swap a good sedan seat bottom. I believe the seat motors interchange. The rear seats are unique but usually in hardly used condition.
All the glass, doors, and seat belt extenders are unique to the CE/Cab. The rest is interchangeable with the sedan. If you get the 88-89 CE with the same sedan M103 engine. If you can find an '93 3.2L or '94-95 E320 Coupe, there are more interchangeable M104 parts.
"Down here" in CA, CE's are plentiful and relatively cheap.
The rear tail lights are the same as sedans. If your rear glass is cracked, that is an expensive new and rare used item. The trunk and rear fenders are unique as well so yours will have to be repairable.
The ignition control module or EZL and the M104 3.0L engine head are unique to the 90 to 92 CE. The EZL's are pricey if you need one.
Look for the typical problems: transmission, rear suspension bushings, all the auxiliary items such as alt, starter, steering pump, air compressor, fuel pump, etc. or any part with rubber or bearings.
The front folding seats are rare and unique to the Coupes and Cabriolets. You can swap a good sedan seat bottom. I believe the seat motors interchange. The rear seats are unique but usually in hardly used condition.
All the glass, doors, and seat belt extenders are unique to the CE/Cab. The rest is interchangeable with the sedan. If you get the 88-89 CE with the same sedan M103 engine. If you can find an '93 3.2L or '94-95 E320 Coupe, there are more interchangeable M104 parts.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 977
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
$1.5-3k for 150k, more for Sportlines and sub 100k, E320 Coupes at $3k
I say cheap because coupes used to hold their value just 3 to 4 years ago. The down economy has depreciated cars or maybe more owners are letting go of their weekend car.
Just browse the major city Craigslists to see prices. Can you shop a distance or are there import costs?
Be prepared for major repair costs on a fixer. Those can easily consume thousands or as much as finding one in better verifiable condition. Especially true if you're far from used parts resources.
I say cheap because coupes used to hold their value just 3 to 4 years ago. The down economy has depreciated cars or maybe more owners are letting go of their weekend car.
Just browse the major city Craigslists to see prices. Can you shop a distance or are there import costs?
Be prepared for major repair costs on a fixer. Those can easily consume thousands or as much as finding one in better verifiable condition. Especially true if you're far from used parts resources.
Last edited by pifcat2; Dec 5, 2010 at 05:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB
1995 E320 Cabriolet
$1.5-3k for 150k, more for Sportlines and sub 100k, E320 Coupes at $3k
I say cheap because coupes used to hold their value just 3 to 4 years ago. The down economy has depreciated cars or maybe more owners are letting go of their weekend car.
Just browse the major city Craigslists to see prices. Can you shop a distance or are there import costs?
Be prepared for major repair costs on a fixer. Those can easily consume thousands or as much as finding one in better verifiable condition. Especially true if you're far from used parts resources.
I say cheap because coupes used to hold their value just 3 to 4 years ago. The down economy has depreciated cars or maybe more owners are letting go of their weekend car.
Just browse the major city Craigslists to see prices. Can you shop a distance or are there import costs?
Be prepared for major repair costs on a fixer. Those can easily consume thousands or as much as finding one in better verifiable condition. Especially true if you're far from used parts resources.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 68
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From: NY
2005 CL55 AMG, 2004 S430 4matic, 1988 560SL, PRIOR: 2000 E430 4matic, 1994 E320 Coupe, 1999 C43 AMG
FWIW, my experience is that Mercedes like to be driven, they hate to sit around...
To import, I will have to get it through a out of province and out of country inspections. There are some taxes and duties involved in it. I would probably go down to cali to pick one up that's been maintained and has the major problems addressed (HG, tranny, wiring harness). I am not looking for a daily driver, just something I can pull out on a nice weekend and go for a cruise. I've always had a soft spot for the w124.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 259
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From: Calgary, AB
1995 E320 Cabriolet
I saw a 92 300ce 24valve, 85 000 km on it today. When I put in reverse, there was a couple seconds delay then a thump which kind of rocked the car and reverse worked.
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1990 300ce 24v I6
