Impulse bought a tired old W124 320TE... what to do!?

[MrT8064]

Well I impulse bought a rather tired looking 320TE last week. Some of you may have spotted it on eBay. This is the first Mercedes i've owned – but I have done many long road trips in a variety of early 90's MBs!

It's done 242,000 miles, has rust in the usual spots, has basically no history, vague steering, and a very very bouncy rear end.

The engine and gearbox are incredibly smooth, the interior is not bad, and most of the electrics function fairly well.


I am just wondering what peoples opinions are on the following:

• Should I put a few hundred quid in to sorting out the suspension/steering?
  
• What are these worth (baring in mind milage/history) in fixed up condition?
  
• I would consider breaking it for parts – is there much value to 320TE/M104 parts? (this has the 5-speed auto box).
  
• I would also consider selling the car as it is, and continuing to save for a slightly better example – any idea what it should be worth as described?

It's a tricky one – I love the engine/gearbox etc etc, but the complexity and potential cost of sorting out the Self Levelling Suspension could turn this in to a bit of a money pit!

Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

 

[Howard]

That rear wheel looks very far forward in its arch !

 

[gbjeppm]

I would say it depends how handy you are with the spanners etc.

SLS is not that complex, but a bouncy rear end means that likelihood is the spheres are shot. They are 70 quid or so each to replace DIY. What is the SLS pipework like? It is a horrible job to replace it. Is the SLS pump running, and is the fluid reservoir full?

You have the best engine with leather, which is a good start.

Has the engine loom been done, if not budget 700+.

Sorted examples can be 3-6k, maybe more, but yours is high mileage, so nearer the lower end.

 

[Hawkwind]

It's a tricky one – I love the engine/gearbox etc etc, but the complexity and potential cost of sorting out the Self Levelling Suspension could turn this in to a bit of a money pit!

Any old car that isn't in good condition is always going to be a labour of love.

 

[gbjeppm]

That rear wheel looks very far forward in its arch !

Agree, tempted to say that could be the shot SLS, but may be more serious.

 

[MrT8064]

Hopefully it's just the angle of the photo!

I need to properly check the pipework. There is plenty of fluid, and it looks fairly healthy.

The hydraulic rams (not shocks (apparently)), looked old, but there were no signs of leaky oil at all.

 

[bolide]

SLS is generally not a problem. Replacing the suspension spheres cures most ills. It's not, in any way, a complex system

Getting a 242k estate up to top spec is not something I'd want to finance, but a few hundred thrown at the suspension can make a big difference

The usual suspects are
* ARB bushes
* tyres
* front wishbone bushes
* engine mounts
* suspension top mounts
* track rod ends
* steering idler
* front prop doughnut
* leading rear subframe mounts
* leading rear subframe bushes
* rear wheel bearings
* diff bushes

Nick Froome

 

[trapperjohn]

Get it up on a ramp, have a good old poke round the rear subframe mounting points. Pound to several pennies the rear subframe bushes need doing if no welding to the subframe mounts required. As said above, bouncy ride spheres shot.

Vague steering could just be the steering damper, around 13 squid if I remember rightly.

Check the prop shaft doughnut.

Good luck with it. They are a dream once sorted.

Edit. Too old and too slow, so many got there before me.

 

[gbjeppm]

These are the spheres that need to be replace on the SLS system.

This is a very helpful thread

Self-Leveling-System - How it works, and troubleshooting the system - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

 

[MrT8064]

Nice, thanks for the info!

It seems that service parts like brake discs are pretty cheap too.

Yeah, think i'll have to establish if there is anything disastrously wrong with it before committing funds. Roll on the weekend eh!

I did once notice one side of the car sitting about an inch higher than the other... could this be sphere related?

 

[gbjeppm]

Nice, thanks!
It seems that service parts like brake discs are pretty cheap too.

Yeah, think i'll have to establish if there is anything disastrously wrong with it before committing funds. Roll on the weekend eh!

The SLS is a great system when it works, and if you sort it, it wont need maintenance for years.

If the car is not rusted past the point of no return, it is probably worth saving.
There is nothing like a well sorted 124 or 126 for drive quality, and the value of these is not going to go down for good examples.

Good luck with it, and keep us up to date on progress. Whereabouts are you, there are a few good indie around who know these cars well.

 

[MrT8064]

Thanks. I have to say the 5-speed box is fantastic, and beyond 30mph it accelerates really well. I probably should keep it.

I'm based in Gloucestershire – not sure who the best indie around here is. Might have to print off an SLS diy guide to show my local mechanic

What would people value this at now, baring in mind the poor service history, and condition?
Just wondering if I paid a fair price or not!

 

[gbjeppm]

Value: Very difficult as you have to buy these on condition, and from that picture, I would say around the 500 to 700 quid mark if it has an MOT, possibly more if there is not too much rust.

It looks flithy, a bloody good clean, could add hundreds

EDIT: I hope you didn't pay more than that. I would save it, but then I am a sucker for a lost cause, and a 124/126.

 

[MrT8064]

I paid £460, and it's got a couple of months MOT – It doesn't sound like I should lose out too much if I decide to sell then!

 

[Rungles]

I say give the poor old girl a second chance. She just needs some love.

 

[gbjeppm]

I paid £460, and it's got a couple of months MOT – It doesn't sound like I should lose out too much if I decide to sell then!

I would say thats a good result, for a 124 estate, with the best engine and leather. You could certainly break it and get your money back on the alloys and leather interior alone, but wheres the fun in that?

The 124 estate, is still arguably one of the best cars ever made.

Anyway here is a thread with some references to Indies in Gloucetershire.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/merc...35832-independant-dealer-gloucestershire.html

 

[Charles Morgan]

Drive it til it breaks. Once you start spending money on it you won't stop, so at each subsequent issue you will feel obliged to defend your increasing investment. Clean it up and photograph it nicely and you might get a bit more back.

Vague steering might also be steering box needing refurbishment, budget c£500.

 

[stwat]

It wouldn't be so bad if you do the work yourself. But paying someone to do it is going to get very expensive, quickly.

 

[jonthetourist]

Thanks. I have to say the 5-speed box is fantastic, and beyond 30mph it accelerates really well. I probably should keep it.

I'm based in Gloucestershire – not sure who the best indie around here is. Might have to print off an SLS diy guide to show my local mechanic

What would people value this at now, baring in mind the poor service history, and condition?
Just wondering if I paid a fair price or not!

If you are anywhere near Gloucester this guy knows them inside out, and has loads of parts.

Chase Lane, Eastern Avenue, Gloucester, Glos GL4 6PG, United Kingdom

Tel: +44(0)7899801373

Email: [email protected]

 

[renault12ts]

Hopefully it's just the angle of the photo!

I need to properly check the pipework. There is plenty of fluid, and it looks fairly healthy.

The hydraulic rams (not shocks (apparently)), looked old, but there were no signs of leaky oil at all.

They all look like that

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=m...2Fwww.************%2Fwallpaper.html;1920;1275