considering a 90's one of these, have done a search on buying and people mention buying one with the right spec being important. but no one says what this is. i.e. is it dark or light colours, 230 300 and which options are a must. also is there a big difference in performance and mpg between the models. any help would be grateful.
janner
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Hi cus,
Any colour other than white is OK.
Leather seats (and maybe aircon) are a must, anything else doesn't add to the price.
Black leather seems to last longer than light colours.
Genuine Sportline suspension is worth paying more for but check the chassis number with MB first to make sure it's a genuine factory one.
I've not driven a 230 but I imagine it must be slow so go for a 300 or better still a 300CE-24 (and get one without a cat)
I doubt if there is any difference in MPG between the models.
The most important things are history and condition.
My opinion is that the 300CE-24 is one of the best cars MB ever made. :bannana:
Any colour other than white is OK.
Leather seats (and maybe aircon) are a must, anything else doesn't add to the price.
Black leather seems to last longer than light colours.
Genuine Sportline suspension is worth paying more for but check the chassis number with MB first to make sure it's a genuine factory one.
I've not driven a 230 but I imagine it must be slow so go for a 300 or better still a 300CE-24 (and get one without a cat)
I doubt if there is any difference in MPG between the models.
The most important things are history and condition.
My opinion is that the 300CE-24 is one of the best cars MB ever made. :bannana:
thanks, been to look at a 300 sportsline in black with tan leather, not the best condition in the world. looking at a dark green with tan and burgandy with cream today.not sure about engine size because i may use it as an every day car(30,000 a year).
janner
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Cruise makes little or no difference to resale but no aircon on a 320 will.
Retrofitting the aircon is possible but really expensive, not sure about the cruise.
If you're going to do 30K a year in it then you must have aircon (it's actually climate control).
Unless the 320 is exceptionally mint then keep looking for one with aircon.
Things to look out for on the 320 are oil leaks from the rear of the head and disintegrating engine wiring looms. Coupe seat bases also have a habit of breaking so check that the seats move in all directions.
Retrofitting the aircon is possible but really expensive, not sure about the cruise.
If you're going to do 30K a year in it then you must have aircon (it's actually climate control).
Unless the 320 is exceptionally mint then keep looking for one with aircon.
Things to look out for on the 320 are oil leaks from the rear of the head and disintegrating engine wiring looms. Coupe seat bases also have a habit of breaking so check that the seats move in all directions.
The 320 is a much nicer engine than the 300 in my opinion, they seem to be bulletproof..
10,000 is about right, as long its been serviced at least once a yr or so...
IMO, air con isnt really that important. Yes its nice, but usually has gone wrong by now on the 124 requiring new condenser, seals etc...If you find one with a/c working, may be worth a bit more..
My E220 coupe didnt have a/c and i had no problems selling it.. I think the only thing that is a must have, is the leather...
I say, if you come across a really nice one, dont let it go just because of a/c, correct history, the honesty of the seller etc is much more important than the odd extra..
Jay
10,000 is about right, as long its been serviced at least once a yr or so...
IMO, air con isnt really that important. Yes its nice, but usually has gone wrong by now on the 124 requiring new condenser, seals etc...If you find one with a/c working, may be worth a bit more..
My E220 coupe didnt have a/c and i had no problems selling it.. I think the only thing that is a must have, is the leather...
I say, if you come across a really nice one, dont let it go just because of a/c, correct history, the honesty of the seller etc is much more important than the odd extra..
Jay
Howard
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And what's wrong with white cars ? 
The 230's no slouch, granted its not a race monster, but i don't have any trouble getting the rear tyres to chirp from the lights once its kicked down !! but Janners right with regards to MPG - there's not much difference at all (5/7 mpg) tops
Cruising on the motorways is fine as well, i would say that it accelerates from 70-100 as quick as , if not a bit quicker than my old CRX VTEC!
Anyway, pretend moan over , you make sure you find a nice one and make sure you post some piccys !!
H
The 230's no slouch, granted its not a race monster, but i don't have any trouble getting the rear tyres to chirp from the lights once its kicked down !! but Janners right with regards to MPG - there's not much difference at all (5/7 mpg) tops
Cruising on the motorways is fine as well, i would say that it accelerates from 70-100 as quick as , if not a bit quicker than my old CRX VTEC!
Anyway, pretend moan over , you make sure you find a nice one and make sure you post some piccys !!
H
Howard
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I think if the car looks good, seems 'together' , and has been looked after, then mileage isn't really an issue, the FMBSH up to 160k is a real plus, if it really is right up to date, as it certainly gives the impression that money hasn't really been a worry with the maintenance of the car, as usually when cars get to that age its not really worth paying the stealership prices to keep the book stamped and people seek out the indys.
My 230ce was on 130k+ when i bought it, and my father runs around in a 300te approaching 200k, both have been well looked after and cared for. The black and grey colour combination can be a bit dull IMO, but its what you like that counts. I bought a white car , even though no one else likes them , because i thought it looks nice.
Do bear in mind what Janner said about the 300 / 320 / 300 -24 being speedier, if thats what you want you need a six cylinder. But if your happy to cruise, and still look cool then save a bit on petrol and insurance and take the 220 / 230 route. As i said in an earlier post, the 230's no slouch but you wouldn't want to take it to Santa Pod !!!!
Good Luck
My 230ce was on 130k+ when i bought it, and my father runs around in a 300te approaching 200k, both have been well looked after and cared for. The black and grey colour combination can be a bit dull IMO, but its what you like that counts. I bought a white car , even though no one else likes them , because i thought it looks nice.
Do bear in mind what Janner said about the 300 / 320 / 300 -24 being speedier, if thats what you want you need a six cylinder. But if your happy to cruise, and still look cool then save a bit on petrol and insurance and take the 220 / 230 route. As i said in an earlier post, the 230's no slouch but you wouldn't want to take it to Santa Pod !!!!
Good Luck
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howard, what sort of mpg do you get?(town and motorway).
using the girlfriends bmw compact for work at the moment, getting 40mpg which is handy as i do 25,000(work) and 5000(private) a year.
can't decide whether to get a 300-320 for weekends or 220-230 to do all 30,000. servicing is not really an issue as have a mate with his own garage.
most of work mileage is motorway
using the girlfriends bmw compact for work at the moment, getting 40mpg which is handy as i do 25,000(work) and 5000(private) a year.
can't decide whether to get a 300-320 for weekends or 220-230 to do all 30,000. servicing is not really an issue as have a mate with his own garage.
most of work mileage is motorway
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Howard
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the motorway mileage is much better than the around town mileage.
On the motorway i can expect about 300/310 mile to a tank (£47 to brim)
About town, stop-start and all that, lucky to get 230 !!
On the motorway i can expect about 300/310 mile to a tank (£47 to brim)
About town, stop-start and all that, lucky to get 230 !!
janner
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About the same as my 3.2 then!
With 160K make sure the auto box is OK
is it ture there's nothing in it economy wise between 220 and 320, been told this in the pass but found it hard to believe. mite go and look at the 320 that i looked at yesterday again. not to sure about the colour dark green with beige leather, but the mileage is low, all but the last two stamps MB and 3 owners from new. in no rush so could do with viewing a few before buying.
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Sp!ke
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Howard said:
Huh?
I can get £60 in my tank and get 330/tank in town and up to 465/tank (record) if gently cruising.
I'm pretty sure we both have 70 litre tanks so I guess your reserve light is coming on early.
janner
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Sp!ke's car is a manual and therefore more economical.
In reality there will not be a great difference in fuel economy between the different engines. Insurance may be more of an issue.
You may be grateful of the extra power of the 3ltr or the 3.2 if you do a lot of motorway work.
My vote is still with the 300CE-24.
In reality there will not be a great difference in fuel economy between the different engines. Insurance may be more of an issue.
You may be grateful of the extra power of the 3ltr or the 3.2 if you do a lot of motorway work.
My vote is still with the 300CE-24.
LOL ...it'll grow on you..
Howard
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Nope, £47 brims it, with the needle off the tail end of the gauge (the reserve light having been on for an uncomfortable amount of time).
say average 85p / litre - £47 is about 55 litres - so maybe i do have a smaller tank than you. Or maybe theres still 20 kilos of coke stashed in the bottom of the tank by the last owner !!! (hope not
)
say average 85p / litre - £47 is about 55 litres - so maybe i do have a smaller tank than you. Or maybe theres still 20 kilos of coke stashed in the bottom of the tank by the last owner !!! (hope not
)just waiting for an inspection to be carried out this week. got a 320 M/94 75k fsh black/blue with biege leather air/con cruise and all the electric's. just pray it's straight. what's do you think it's worth. think i may have payed a bit over the odd's. but it's the spec i wanted and i intend to keep it a while.
