mercedes 300TE 24v AUTO 1990

[loops]

hi guys - kinda new around here, so . . . hello!!

looking to buy a 300TE and a bit flustered as they seem to go for all kinds of prices on e-bay - and i'm not really a petrol head.

Can someone give me a good idea of what to pay for a good one?

I'm buying a hole of a new house so need one which i can use to shift stuff from A-B, but will ultimately be used for family also.

I'm in Nottingham, so if anyone knows of anything interesting close by, please do let me know. or suggest alternative options of course . . .

Hope this post isn't too vague!!

Cheers

Loops

 

[IMD]

Hey Loops,

It can be a bit of a mine foield with regards to prices.

You'll see higher mileage cars with little service history and needing a bit of TLC for less than £1000, up to immaculate cars , with full MB service history, leather and air conditioning into many thousands, from specialists like W124.co.uk etc (w124 is run by Nick Froome aka Bollide on here..he knows his stuff and if you're looking to spend a decent amount on an really immaculate car, then he would be a good one to speak to).

The cars are much sought after and as such are attracting the modern classic status. It depends upon whether you are looking for a good workhorse that will last for many years and not too concerned about keeping it as a 'modern classic' or something to cherish and polish, that will hold it's value and 'might' increase in value in future years.

I bought my E220 2 years ago, paying approx £2000. It's in pretty decent condition, has a good service history, is serviced regularly, however I use it for work, filling it with very heavy loads and to be honest, not really giving it the care some would say it deserves! But, it does a brilliant job and if it lasts another couple of years, then it's been a great workhorse and has paid for itself.

There are loads of threads on here about what to look out for (search for W124 buying advice etc).

The 300TE is a good car, however it's a pre facelift model, so if you were after a newer w124 model, maybe try a e320, or a E300D multivalve, which are great workhorses, although you'll pay a bit more for a good one. The later e280 and e320 can be prone to wiring loom problems at high mileages..worth thinking about.

w124.co.uk has some great info on the model range.

Good luck, they are great cars if you find a good one.

Ian

 

[loops]

cheers ian,

not too fussed over a bit of rust, colour or even make or model to be honest - looking to spend up to £1500 and really need it to be a workhorse for a couple of years, then look to replace with something prettier after.

will take your advice and check the others out - In the meantime there's a gold(?) 300TE on e-bay at the moment which looks interesting and tidy, would appreciate your thoughts???

Loops

 

[IMD]

What's the link and i'll take a look

Ian

 

[loops]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=270247048511&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017

sorry, the link would help!

Cheers

 

[Howard]

Aren't the 24v prone to headgasket problems , check if that has been done and check the wiring loom ( it is biodegradable and if it fails can potentially fry your ECU ) ...

Both are expensive problems to put right ..

 

[IMD]

I think all engines can be prone to head gasket depending upon mileage, but you're right, these two problems are the ones to look out for. From what I've read it's the later e280 / e320 that suffer from the wiring loom problems.

 

[Howard]

I thought the 24v's were particularly susceptible .

A w124 expert will be along shortly to clarify i expect.

 

[loops]

it doesn't have to be this particular model . . . will gladly consider alternative options.

lee

 

[Ian B Walker]

Up to 1990 the 300-24 104 engine produced 231bhp, when the cats were added to the model it reduced the bhp to something around 219. The 320 and 280's are the ones that suffer from wiring loom issues and as posted, can work out rather expensive to sort. Head gaskets are a known issue but not really a lot to worry about IMHO. As long as you are not suffering water ingress into the oil it should be ok for many miles (had a 260E with 237K on the clock with such a gasket, used very little oil). When you test drive one please make sure that the gearbox changes smoothly, if not, walk away.

 

[karlefr]

Hi, I had an 1990 W124 300TE 24V for about 5 years sold it with 348,000 on the clock. Lovely car, no trouble but not very economical. It was the most powerful estate on the market at the time! And one always has the urge to test this with this car. It just feels like pressing the pedal down all the time.
Brakes and suspension and many other parts are all model-specific so expect to pay more for spare parts.
Yes check the gearbox (leaking gaskets and otherwise), engine can use plenty of oil, rust shouldn't be a problem, but remember the car is nearly twenty years old by now.

I bought an E200K and my running costs are halved, and I am reminded of that every time I fill up. (15 ltr per 100 km compared to 9.5 ltr per 100 km now) But it feels like a granddads car compared.

 

[janner]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=270247048511&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017

sorry, the link would help!

Cheers

That looks like a great car for the money.

The headgasket issue on these engines is that they tend to leak oil from the rear (exhaust side) and the front, behind the timing chain. The newer gaskets have reinforcement around these points. Even if it still has the original gasket you're unlikely to get anything more than an oil leak. Any headgasket on any car can 'blow' and mix oil and water so you still have to check that but that's not what the inherent problem is with the 300E-24 gaskets.

Go for it at £600.

 

[Ade B]

As above, if its as good as it looks its a bargain. Working AC alone is a rare thing at this price.

I've just got back from a 600 mile trip to the SW, managed roughly 28 mpg coming back (A roads and motorway) and the car never missed a beat.

The cylinder head gasket went on mine and was replaced last year. These are great cars, often overlooked as the general (IMHO incorrect) consensus is that the face lift cars are much better.

The pre-facelift have better paint and none biodegradable looms. The engine characteristics of the 24V are different to the E320 but aside from that they are more or less the same car - the view from the driver's seat is more or less identical (bar the grille).

Test drive it before buying and look through this site in detail, there is loads of info about regarding options, sportline, different engines etc..

Good luck

Ade

 

[loops]

hey - you guys make me feel all warm inside!!

thanks for all the help, will let you know how i get on . . . very exciting

Lee