Buying '92 E400
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
subaru outback
Buying '92 E400
Hello. I'm a new member.
I am looking at a '92 with 47K orig. miles. Little old lady scenario... always garaged and maintained. I've read a lot about these cars and MB enthusiasts like them quite a bit but I know they can have some expensive issues.
I've only test driven one of these and enjoyed it. This car is being sold by her mechanic, asking $7K obo, which I believe is above blue book.
I know sometimes the wiring harnesses are an issue. What else do I need to watch out for and if this car is cherry, should I worry about picking one of these up at this age. I know it's somewhat of a crap shoot.
I do know they last quite some time but i'm sure the rest of the car will start to go before the engine will.
Should I worry about being nickle and dimed into poverty?
I am looking at a '92 with 47K orig. miles. Little old lady scenario... always garaged and maintained. I've read a lot about these cars and MB enthusiasts like them quite a bit but I know they can have some expensive issues.
I've only test driven one of these and enjoyed it. This car is being sold by her mechanic, asking $7K obo, which I believe is above blue book.
I know sometimes the wiring harnesses are an issue. What else do I need to watch out for and if this car is cherry, should I worry about picking one of these up at this age. I know it's somewhat of a crap shoot.
I do know they last quite some time but i'm sure the rest of the car will start to go before the engine will.
Should I worry about being nickle and dimed into poverty?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 11
From: Manchester, CT
Yes, one of the big ticket items on the M119 motors are the wiring harnesses which degrade prematurely; both upper and lower plastic coverings dry up and cause shorts, moreso in these V8s which typically run hot and cook the underhood components. At that mileage I doubt this 400Es has been replaced. To be sure perhaps get a VMI at a MB dealer to check....or you might be able to find a sticker on the present harness that will tell you when it was built. If it is the original, plan to replace it asap.
While replacing both is not hard for the DIYer, the harnesses are not exactly cheap new and it's only a MB OE part that you should trust and buy. The new harnesses are much better and resist the heat and last a much longer time (my upper harness was new replaced in 2000 on my M119 and it is still good).
Also be careful that the throttle body actuator is good, that part new is well over $1000 bucks.
I would grab it if it checks out good...these are solid cars and worth that almost 7 grand IMO with that low miles; keep up on the maint and it will go 300,000+ miles easily. I can't say it will be Honda reliable and cheap...but they age well and do not require a ton of money thrown at them to keep them going. This one at 70K miles is not even broken it IMO. A rare find with such low miles.
While replacing both is not hard for the DIYer, the harnesses are not exactly cheap new and it's only a MB OE part that you should trust and buy. The new harnesses are much better and resist the heat and last a much longer time (my upper harness was new replaced in 2000 on my M119 and it is still good).
Also be careful that the throttle body actuator is good, that part new is well over $1000 bucks.
I would grab it if it checks out good...these are solid cars and worth that almost 7 grand IMO with that low miles; keep up on the maint and it will go 300,000+ miles easily. I can't say it will be Honda reliable and cheap...but they age well and do not require a ton of money thrown at them to keep them going. This one at 70K miles is not even broken it IMO. A rare find with such low miles.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
subaru outback
Thanks, Jim.
Good to know on the throttle body actuator as well. I think someone else mentioned that to me too. Well, I'm looking at this one and a '95 E300D. Two totally different cars, I know but both in incredible shape with very low miles... either way, I think both would be great cars. Thanks again for your help.
Dominic
Good to know on the throttle body actuator as well. I think someone else mentioned that to me too. Well, I'm looking at this one and a '95 E300D. Two totally different cars, I know but both in incredible shape with very low miles... either way, I think both would be great cars. Thanks again for your help.
Dominic
