Mercedes 300CE the right time!

[Classico]

I’ve not always liked the w124 model. I use to sneer at it a little bit from the w123 dooms.
But the 124 has been growing on me lately to the point that I’ve done my homework and I’m about to buy one, now that they are still affordable.
It has to be an M103 engine that is 3000cc and 188hp and in good order. This could be it, auto, air, leather and the usual goodies but no electric roof. Less than 100k miles and good condition inside out. Good ones are getting scarce. What do you reckon?

 

[grober]

Things to check are the EZL ignition unit and front distributor HT cap/rotor arm/leads
Body wise Rear sills /jacking points/ rearsubframe front body mounts for corrosion failure

 

[Classico]

Thanks Graeme
However, from what i gathered, the ignition module is more of a problem for 24 valves engines, the 300CE 12v EZL did not suffer as much and is a lot cheaper to buy

 

[219]

Just my personal choice , but I wouldn't buy one without a sunroof .

I've made that mistake a couple of times , bought an otherwise nice car in haste then always regretted it .

especially with a pillar less coupe , there's nothing nicer than having all the windows down and the roof open on a nice day . Air con keeps you cool , but it isn't the same .

I do appreciate these cars are getting rarer , but I'd hold off .

I'd also suggest , having had multiple examples of both , that the 24V engine is much nicer - despite the extra camshaft it is actually a smoother engine than the single cam , both of course so much smoother than the trashy M110 , which I've also had several of ...

A well looked after 300CE-24 in either Nautic Blue or Almandine Red , with mushroom leather , burr walnut , air , sunroof and cruise would be my holy grail .

Oh , while I've never had issues with EZL units on any of my cars ( but did with its predecessor on my W114 280E ) , the dizzy caps on the M103 and M104 300-24 engines do need to be changed roughly every 30,000 miles , always put a genuine Bosch one in as I've found the cheaper Bremi ones some places will sell you can go bad in as little as 10,000 miles .

I always used to make my own ignition leads up ( the dealers will sell you the ends ; sometimes you can reuse them ) from a drum of aircraft quality cable I was given years ago , and once done , never had any problems .

 

[ChipChop]

Assuming it is a rust free Spanish registered car then go for it. You deserve a treat after what you lot have been through.

Personally i would go for a w124 convertible, if you can find one at a good price. They do hold there value though.

Lots of rubber bushes to perish in a hot climate so when you are allowed out give them a good test drive on a rough road.

 

[219]

I actually typed in my post above the THRASHY M110 , but I see the spell corrector changed it to trashy .

Wish I could turn the darn thing off !

 

[ChipChop]

As a matter of interest how much does an on the road driveable 300ce go for in Spain? I ask because i am told second hand cars are a lot more expensive in mainland Europe than they are in the UK.

 

[Classico]

As a matter of interest how much does an on the road driveable 300ce go for in Spain? I ask because i am told second hand cars are a lot more expensive in mainland Europe than they are in the UK.

Typical asking price in Spain would be between 3 to 6k € fo driveable mot’ed 300CE cars.
Below that is trouble zone and above you’ll find lower miles and really good examples.
In general Spanish sourced cars will have considerable less rust, higher miles and less maintenance records than UK cars. “Trust for Rust”
Option wise most, if not all spanish CEs, have aircon, not necessaily in working order though! Many will carry a sunroof and they are more in leather than cloth.

 

[219]

Just a thought , that seems quite expensive . Perhaps the same cars will be cheaper to buy in Germany , since they are presumably more abundant there ? Perhaps worth looking on eBay.de to see how the prices are ?

Assuming you intend to keep it in Spain , you will want a LHD car . I don;t know how much of a problem it would be to take a car from Germany to Spain ( I know easy to drive it there , but I mean as far as registration and all the formalities ? ) .

 

[219]

Just looked , prices all over the place

here's another one in Spain

Mercedes Benz 300 CE - W124 - Rostfrei - Unfallfrei - Oldtimer | eBay

Finden Sie Top-Angebote für Mercedes Benz 300 CE - W124 - Rostfrei - Unfallfrei - Oldtimer bei eBay. Kostenlose Lieferung für viele Artikel!

www.ebay.de

a cheaper one in the USA

1988 Mercedes Benz CE 300 Coupe | eBay

Finden Sie Top-Angebote für 1988 Mercedes Benz CE 300 Coupe bei eBay. Kostenlose Lieferung für viele Artikel!

www.ebay.de

a more expensive one in Germany

300 CE | eBay

Finden Sie Top-Angebote für 300 CE bei eBay. Kostenlose Lieferung für viele Artikel!

www.ebay.de

a 24V one , but in the UK , so RHD

1991 Mercedes Benz CE Serie 300 CE 24 2dr Auto Limousine Benzin Automatik | eBay

Finden Sie Top-Angebote für 1991 Mercedes Benz CE Serie 300 CE 24 2dr Auto Limousine Benzin Automatik bei eBay. Kostenlose Lieferung für viele Artikel!

www.ebay.de

saloons , of course , much cheaper

Mercedes Benz 300E 24V, Bj. 1993, 230.000 km | eBay

Finden Sie Top-Angebote für Mercedes Benz 300E 24V, Bj. 1993, 230.000 km bei eBay. Kostenlose Lieferung für viele Artikel!

www.ebay.de

or a 320 ? Cheap , but tatty looking car with dodgy seat covers , no sunroof , no guarantee , no returns ....... hmm

Mercedes E320 W124 Coupe 2.Hand Sportline zum restaurieren | eBay

Finden Sie Top-Angebote für Mercedes E320 W124 Coupe 2.Hand Sportline zum restaurieren bei eBay. Kostenlose Lieferung für viele Artikel!

www.ebay.de

 

[ChipChop]

North Africa is also full of old Merc's if you are in southern Spain. Probably get a bargain there with a bit of haggling.

 

[Deleted member 11979]

A good choice of car in my opinion, I’ve had a couple.

I think the sunroof adds to the experience. With all 4 windows down and the roof open it’s quite fun, not like a convertible at all though, clearly.

Rust is the thing we these as you’ve already discovered, a car from a hot climate makes sense to me.

Unless you have deep pockets I’d forget the convertible, again, I’ve had a few and they are a bespoke piece of kit and will cost you money. Anyone who suggests otherwise has been lucky or has never owned one, rear window glass nla for example last time I needed one.
Enjoy the coupe and don’t buy a rusty one.