My first merc, some stupid questions

[adam watson]

Just started looking for a 300se merc, I'm looking at an '83 later today.

Never had a merc before but they seem very cheap for what you get

What chassis will that be? w126?

Any common faults I should look for? I know they rot around wheel arches and door bottoms but know nothing about the engines.

Whats the best way of lowering it? I don't even know what the suspension is, coil overs, torsion bars, leaf springs...?

Thanks
Adam

 

[television]

Hello and welcome.

Yes it would be a 126

you change the shims to alter the height 008 in the link

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...&L=765.706&CT=F&cat=568&SID=32&SGR=015&SGN=01

 

[grober]

I would do a bit more research on your chosen model first. This forum is an excellent place to start. Use the search facility. The main problem you will encounter on a model of that age is structural body rust. The majority of cars of that age may look good on the surface but will often require expensive/extensive restoration just to keep them road legal. They are cheap for a reason.

 

[Individual one]

Welcome to this very friendly forum:bannana:

 

[BlackC55]

I would do a bit more research on your chosen model first. This forum is an excellent place to start. Use the search facility. The main problem you will encounter on a model of that age is structural body rust. The majority of cars of that age may look good on the surface but will often require expensive/extensive restoration just to keep them road legal. They are cheap for a reason.

Completely agree with you here. There are lots of old dogs about and they are cheap for a reason.

Welcome BTW.

 

[jim4]

Welcome and good luck in your search

 

[adam watson]

Thanks for the welcome.

I'm not worried about spotting rust - I restore historic cars for a living so can spot rust from 100 yds

The one I looked at was too high mileage for me, 240k, and a bit tatty so the search continues...

 

[crockers]

welcome to the forum and good luck in your search...:bannana:

 

[grober]

If it was a 6 cylinder 1983 it would be an all aluminium M110 twin cam 280SE engine with 185bhp. The cast iron block single cam 3 litre M103 engine with 190 bhp was introduced in 1985 AFAIK?

 

[clktel1]

welcome to mb club

 

[BTB 500]

Hi and welcome

I restore historic cars for a living

Any pictures you can share with us?!

 

[adam watson]

http://www.ga-fabrications.com/wp-gallery2.php

Thats the pics off the website

Adam

 

[Neil Crook]

Bought a 300SE two years ago 800quid. Bodily they go around the arches and bottom of rear screen. I had no structural issues (I run a 500SEL now) The problem I had which I was told was a common one was the fuel distribution pump which regulates the fuel to each injector. Mine went after a week costing 300quid from a specialist. Other than that drive it at least once a week to keep battery topped up.
Once you get it get it checked over by a specialist with all filters changed including the gearbox. A common fault I'm seeing on old MB's ( I have three) is that people assume that they're indestructible and therefore don't need servicing. Mistake.