Mercedes 300E?

Question

Hi, I'm looking to buy a 1990 Mercedes 300E, and I'm pretty sure that Mercedes are reliable. This would be my first car, (I'm almost 16) and I want something that would be reliable, and cool. its $1,000, and is in perfect condition. the only thing I'm kinda hung up on is that it has 194,000 miles on it. But I've heard that Mercedes will last forever :) so is this a good deal? I would only be driving it to school (20 miles each way each day.) I live in wisconsin. (don't know if this would be a problematic car in the winter?)

~thanks in advance!

Answer 1

that a great price, and with regular oil changes, sparkplugs and distributor cap and rotor it will go another 100,000 miles or 160,000km

Answer 2

It's not an easy question to answer. On the one hand, it started out life as a tough car. On the other, there's no doubt that it's on the other side of the curve. A lot is going to depend on how it was maintained, and on luck. For $1000, it's worth the risk. It's worth twice that in parts.

My own view is that if you learn how to maintain it yourself, most repairs will be extremely cheap: brake parts, tune up components, filters and such can be purchased online for little money. The only fatal things would be rust, engine failure, tranny failure, or differential failure. That said, I recently bought a used diff for my quarter million mile 190D, and had it installed for less than $1K. So there are low-pain ways to get around any problem.

It's a big, safe car, so you should feel confident driving it. There's a super defrost button on the climate control console that turns the heater, fans, and the a/c on full blast, and will clear the worst fogged windshield. I put 4 snow tires on the little 190D, and even my wife feels comfortable driving it in the snow (if you knew her, you'd understand). So no problem in the winter, although I'd wait for the plow.

Things to check: yes, at 200K miles, the timing chain could stand an inspection, if not a replacement. Check the driveshaft flex disks and replace them if there is even the slightest indication of softness or cracking: if they go, they rip out the entire floor. Inspect the front end (ball joints and tie rod ends should be about due). Check the motor mounts and shocks. Make sure the AC system works. Do an engine tune up. Change ALL fluids and filters. Mercedes sound systems suck, but I'm sure you'll figure out what to do about that. Learn how to do this stuff yourself, and you'll build a lifetime skill in addition to having a great ride. You might have another $1000 into the car before it's ready to go, but at that point it will be like a reliable friend. And it's just about your age...

Go for it.

Answer 3

I like the 300E, although I liked the 1987 300D better. The W124 body was an excellent car, better than the w210 in some ways. Seemed like some interior parts were tougher. The 300E was a great car and so revolutionary when it came out in 1986. It was a big improvment over the previous models.

Answer 4

I agree with John Paul, The MB can be expensive to repair but it is one heck of a car. If it was maintained properly, it will go for a long, long time. Your apprehensions are worthy though, there are a lot of parts that break on a car with those miles. Price not withstanding, it does sound like something I'd buy. Like John, my first car was a 58 MG Magnette, 4 door in the rally trim. I learned a lot about backyard mechanics and could do almost anything the car required. Had it for several years and drove it for many miles. Wish I still had it.
You will learn a lot about cars in the years to come. Read all you can about the series E MB and you should be fine.
Good Luck, Rick

Answer 5

Snow tires and you will learn like us oldsters. Rear wheel drive can be fun too! I 'm thinking this is from the original owner? If so you will have receipts from past repairs. Take a little time and look them over. This Is one of those cars that likes it maintence at the same times to catch things that might break and damage other expensive parts. Cost of maintaining a German car can be more than you can afford. Add the receipts up each year in order. That alone might scare you away from a $1,000 Mercedes Benz. My first car was $25 dollar 1963 MG in 1970 and I rebuilt the motor. The rest is "I became a Automobile Technician" History

Answer 6

as well as the timing chain and guides the tensioner should also be replaced
note this engine had a problematic oil leak from the cylinder head gasket if this one has not had the upgraded gasket you may want to consider this down the road also if it smokes at start up or after idling a while the valve stem seals have perished [the guides and valves are generally in serviceable shape] and it is best to do all of these at one time
i have several customers who are well over 300k and still run like a 60k honda. ball joints and lower control arm bushings and shocks are probabley due now. have fun these are good cars and "yours sounds like a steal

Answer 7

There freaking tanks...it's a true 140MPH car, and if it's in good shape, it WILL last a LONG TIME...

Here's some hints to maximize the life and MPG of your car(all of this will cost about $250-300 for a major tune-up, but it will be well worth it!) Don't skrimp on quality, because it's a quality car. Car Quest is also an EXCELLENT source for factory brakes/rotors/sensors, and Bosch Cap/rotors.

1. Oil: Chevron DELO 400 15W-40 Oil(buy it at virtually any automotive parts store, buy it in gallon sizes which run about $8-10/gallon...superior oil...stay away from synthetic oil(seals not designed for it)

NEVER buy aftermarket oil filters...go to a dealer, and buy 3-4 at a time so you have a years stock worth. Never go to Jiffy lubes, etc....POOR quality oil, Made in China garbage filters...not for YOUR Mercedes...

2. GAS: Premium unleaded ONLY...the savings from using cheap 87 gas will be offset by the engine working harder, and will then get worse MPG. Stay away from ARCO, or no-name stations. Chevron/Shell/Mobil/BP are good grade gasolines.

3. Transmission: Get a FACTORY transmission filter(and PAN SEAL), and 6-7 quarts of Mobil 1 Synthetic DEXTRON/MERCON ATF Fluid...wonderful stuff as the tranny hooks up much better, shifts much smoother. MUST be changed every two years.

The power steering fluid is also a Dextron version, so this as well can be changed(with a small disc filter in the reservior) to make the steering box work less, and steer smoother

4. Brake Fluid: DOT 4, must be flushed every 2 years, so do it now....much cheaper than changing a master cylinder.

5. Spark Plugs: NGK Iridiums(about $6.00 each, but don't need to be changed for approx 100K miles, gets superior MPG and power, and least amount of draw off of electrical system.


The car already comes with posi-traction, and many cars came with ASR(traction control), as well as 4-channel ABS. Check the coolant tank? Unless it looks bright green and clean, change it to something like Prestone LOW-TOX coolant. Redline also makes a product called "water-wetter" which makes the coolant transfer more heat away from the engine.

Use Pledge for the wood trim, just spray some into a clean cloth, and wipe it down.
The car also has a massive, slick single wiper which is fun just to see it work and clean the whole windshield...welcome to the club!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv0ZPyj7S6M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IcAzlNX91o

It's in German, but this one is well worth watching...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrs7sWviGW8

Answer 8

older mercedes will most of the time out live you, but i dont think youll have a real hard time with the winder weather if u kept it in the garage, if not i dont know, but i doubt it, however it does have alot of miles...

Answer 9

Gas?

Dont buy it!!

The gas versions are a pain in the butt, and get bad MPG!

People "say" they are reliable but "they" are talking about the Diesel version which gets 30-40MPG!!!

194,000 miles is "getting tired" for a gas engined car, but "not-bad" for the diesel version. The Diesel engines will last double what the gas engines will.

Dont try to be a hot-rodder with anything you get, people will just laugh at you!

Answer 10

I had a 86 300e that I bought used with 13,000 miles on it,drove it for 13 years and it had over 350,000 on it when I sold it.they are STRONG CARS,but CHANGE YOUR OIL and AIR FILTERS REGULARLY!