1986 300E
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Joined: Oct 2024
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From: Pennsylvania, US
2008 C300 4Matic
1986 300E
Good evening everyone. I’m going to very likely be buying my first Mercedes within the next week or so. I’ve been shopping around for a few months now and I’ve test driven some older and newer models, and I’ve set my eyes on a 1986 300e with about 96k miles. The car was owned by a gentleman about 4 hours away from me, and I must say it was taken care of nearly perfect. The only caveats are that the front passenger fender isn’t original and it’s a slightly different color than the rest of the car, and both passenger side windows don’t work but that’s an easy enough fix anyway. Otherwise, the dude has sent me tons of photos and we’ve agreed on $3500 on the contingency he gets it state inspected first so I don’t have to worry about that after buying (it’s registered as a classic here in PA so he wasn’t mandated to inspect it before). I personally feel this is a very good deal, but I wanted to ask you guys what to watch out for when I check it out, or any maintenance related things I should know. I can do pretty much anything involving wrenching, so I’ll be doing most of, if not all, the work this car ever sees. Thank you guys in advance.
Edit: Also wanted to note that it doesn’t have a speck of rust anywhere underneath, and just to be safe he also had the bottom coated in woolwax again about two years ago. Some maintenance he’s done includes new tires, new brakes, new head gasket (preventative maintenance according to him, no leaks), and transmission fluid and filter change all within the last two years and 10k miles.
Edit: Also wanted to note that it doesn’t have a speck of rust anywhere underneath, and just to be safe he also had the bottom coated in woolwax again about two years ago. Some maintenance he’s done includes new tires, new brakes, new head gasket (preventative maintenance according to him, no leaks), and transmission fluid and filter change all within the last two years and 10k miles.
Last edited by hmclaughlin67; Nov 1, 2024 at 11:46 PM.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Let us know how it all turns out. Looks to be a good find. An M103 with less than 100K miles and no Head Gasket issues should not have been messed with IMHO.
I have two M103 cars and the HG goes nearly 200K miles if they do not frequently overheat. Ask the owner how many miles ago the HG was done. You want to make sure the Job was done properly. Hopefully it was been long enough to prove it was done right.
These are good cars if you DIY, I have owned a W201 or W124 continuously since 1989. Currently own two manual transmission W201's.
They do get expensive if you constantly take them into mechanics. They do require some TLC.
On the windows on the passenger side, the switch contacts can get a bit corroded from non-frequent use. Happened to one of my cars. I was about to tear into it when I discovered just rocking the switch many times just cleared it. Has been operating since. If the car has been in damp weather there will be many contacts that will need cleaning after 38 years.
Happy motoring!
I have two M103 cars and the HG goes nearly 200K miles if they do not frequently overheat. Ask the owner how many miles ago the HG was done. You want to make sure the Job was done properly. Hopefully it was been long enough to prove it was done right.
These are good cars if you DIY, I have owned a W201 or W124 continuously since 1989. Currently own two manual transmission W201's.
They do get expensive if you constantly take them into mechanics. They do require some TLC.
On the windows on the passenger side, the switch contacts can get a bit corroded from non-frequent use. Happened to one of my cars. I was about to tear into it when I discovered just rocking the switch many times just cleared it. Has been operating since. If the car has been in damp weather there will be many contacts that will need cleaning after 38 years.
Happy motoring!
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Joined: Oct 2024
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From: Pennsylvania, US
2008 C300 4Matic
The head gasket was changed a little over a year ago, and he’s put on about 8k miles since then.
Also, by rocking the switch do you mean the switches located in the center console? If so that’s good to know before I start diving in to it as well.
Also, by rocking the switch do you mean the switches located in the center console? If so that’s good to know before I start diving in to it as well.
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190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
The car has too few miles to have other issues like motor, regulator, etc.
8K miles is probably long enough. Check for any sign of oil in coolant, and check for oil leaks around the head gasket prior to the purchase.
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Joined: Oct 2024
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From: Pennsylvania, US
2008 C300 4Matic
Yes, those switches in the center console and maybe at the doors if they are the rear ones.
The car has too few miles to have other issues like motor, regulator, etc.
8K miles is probably long enough. Check for any sign of oil in coolant, and check for oil leaks around the head gasket prior to the purchase.
The car has too few miles to have other issues like motor, regulator, etc.
8K miles is probably long enough. Check for any sign of oil in coolant, and check for oil leaks around the head gasket prior to the purchase.
What kind of maintenance schedule would you recommend for these? How often should the plugs and wires be changed, brake fluid, should the valves be adjusted, etc
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Fluid maintenance depends on yearly usage but I change coolant every 3 years, motor oil every 5K miles, brake fluid (DOT-3) every 3 years (sooner for DOT-4 because it absorbs water more, I would stick with DOT-3, you wil not be racing the car) PS fluid every 30K miles. I do not own an auto transmission M103 so you are on your own in that department. Manual transmission will go 60K miles. Differential fluid 100K miles.
Spark plugs seem to go 30K miles assuming oil is not being burned by the engine. Valves do not need adjustment. Only checked during a valve/head gasket job (150-200K miles) by the machine shop.
Cheers!
Spark plugs seem to go 30K miles assuming oil is not being burned by the engine. Valves do not need adjustment. Only checked during a valve/head gasket job (150-200K miles) by the machine shop.
Cheers!
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From: Pennsylvania, US
2008 C300 4Matic
I usually just do a full brake fluid flush every time I change the brakes, so sounds like I will be keeping to that schedule considering I drive upwards of 20k miles a year. It sounds like all of the maintenance will be what I already keep up with on my vehicles anyway so good to know there’s no surprises there. Auto fluid I’ve always done 30k miles drain and fill and drop the pan and change the filter every other change, I’ve had good luck with that so far. Thank you for the advice, if I go through with the purchase I will be sure to post some pictures on here as well as how the 4 hour drive back home went!
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2008 C300 4Matic
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