So I've been out of the w124 game for a while, i was saving up to get a 300CE as some of you know.. (I was looking at a 300ce with full sportsline upgrade but it was costly)
But its taking me forever, I got school and I make like $160 a week -___-
I've been using my mom's car but shes returning it (whole family is in some financial mess because her restaurant closed down)

But a 95 e420 came up and I talked the guy down to $1200!!..
(200,000 miles on the ODO which stopped rolling)

The pros -

-The car came with history, and has had major work to it, about $2000 worth of receipts from the last owner..
-Wiring harness has been changed before from the owner before
-Transmission shifts fine, reverse still works
-Engine is smooth, but I wouldn't know as I've only owned a 300E so I don't know how to m119's are supposed to run optimally
-The engine seems to be clean, wires arn't cracked

I inspected the car, and took it for a test drive..

The cons -

-Salvage title (I think it got hit in the rear, because the rear bumper looks newer [paintwise] and its misaligned)
-The trunk closes, but you need to use some force, I'm thinking because the rear got hit
-The car needs new paint (Its a Dark Green) but paint is cracking and faded everywhere and has little rust spots about the size of rock chips
-The interior isn't bad but needs some work (Headliner still intact)
-Steering wheel is worn out
-Moonroof is very very slow and looks like its going to get stuck
-The drivers side window shakes a little and looks like the regulator motor is losing power
-The buttons are sticky
-Faded tints (not a big deal)
-The headrests don't work (The front) (Rear ones go down fine)
-The driver's side seat is starting to lose power on one of the buttons I forgot which i think its the recliner or height, it looks like the motor is losing power
-The engine seems to have lots of dirt and webs, the owner used to have an e320 but he cleaned the engine and the car died so he got paranoid and never cleaned another engine bay
-Ignition Barrel is like falling apart.. Kind of have to shake they key around and such
-Wood isn't in the best shape
-Probably needs new brakes all around
-Needs new tires (still has stock rims with the Michelins)
-Trunk's spare was some uniroyal crap
-Broken antaenna
-Probably needs an alignment
-The intakes seem to have some kind of duct tape like thing wrapped around em
-When the AC does work, some kind of frosting developed along the freon pipe in the bay?

now for the MAJOR worries I have
-CEL is on
-The light next to the BRAKE light is on, I think its the rotors? but it only goes on when the steering wheel is left still and comes and goes

-The car runs good when it does
but sometimes it is hard to start, and once it does start, if the gas pedal is pressed, the engine will die
^When i kept cranking it, it seemed to misfire a bit
^And the oil pressure gauge drops to around a 2 or so?

-The AC works sometimes, kind of (The AC blows fine in the center vents, but is kind of weird in the side vents)
-Heater doesn't work or when I switch from AC to heater, I don't hear any fans and it doesn't seem to work at all
-When it works, the AC works, but its weak and fluctuates
-Odometer stopped working
-Don't know if the dual fans spin but the main one behind the radiator seems to work

-Don't know the status on the PS fluids/pump
-Don't know the status on the coolant


The last tuneup was 5 - 6 months ago according to him, same with oil change
but again his odometer stopped working
and the papers are from the last owners, he just used it as a daily beater
He thought it was the ignition coils, so he said he went to a pick-and-pull and changed it

So I only owned a w124 300e, and it seems like something the OVP relay would be doing..
but i have a feeling its the ETA or something thats going..
and the AC I know its going to cost a ton..

So besides me having to swap out the tires,brakes,cap and rotor, spark plugs, air filters, cabin filter, probably some bushings and the suspension and the little electrical bits

is it going to be a major nightmare? I mean since the wire harness was already completed and the transmission seems to shift fine even though the car has 200k + miles I do need a car, and it seemed like an easy fix hopefully (The misfiring issue, a tuneup might fix it hopefully?)

OH and I still have my wrecked 300E sitting, so a list of what I can use or so would be great..

So.. I'm going to need your help guys thanks *crosses fingers*

I know a cheap benz is a very expensive benz.. I've owned 2 BAD benzes that i spent too much on, and now i got no money :P

BUT I'm hoping (mainly cause the harness)

 

I've had, as my daily driver, a '93 400E for the past almost 6 years and over 100k miles(178k total now). I'm a huge fan of V8 W124s but I would run, not walk, the hell away from that one.

 

run theres a difference between the highmiles and beat up badly. I ouldnt i think that one is ready to go. Are you in cali? I cant remember. Look for an 86 newer w124 diesel there getting cheap and run like a tank. I ge 30 to 44 mpg on mine and no smog!!. or a 260e 4 speed diesel.

 

true i guess he bought it an ok shape, then it got salvaged, then beat.. yeah im in southern cali.. i know the diesels run well, but i like how the gasolines feel powerwise, and there arn't many diesel stations where i live :|

darn i thought i scored something.. it looked like the eha..

i guess im going to have to start looking at the 300 gassers or a miata for a daily :|

jesus christ parts for an e420 are way more expensive than the i6 varients of the w124s (i was just looking up parts in case i buy it)

 

I wouldnt go near that car. GTFO.

 

yup i bought my 94
e420 FOR $4500

only major cons was that the transmission was starting to kick...
and it needed new tire thats it..

after two happy years of ownership i finally rebuilt the transmittion on saturday (took it to a shop $1650) and my wire harness is starting to go

yes i have done some extra work like change the alternator wheel bearing and axels shocks
and regular maintenance but that was on my own

sounds like there are way to many electrical issues idk?

 

got a 300ce instead.. check out the thread.