Shall i buy this red w124 1993 e320 convertible?

[RBYCC]

Has anyone mentioned the problematic M104-24V main wiring harness in the engine bay.
Check to see if it has been replaced.
Pull back the harness over wrap and look for areas near connectors where insulation is deteriorating.
Very common as Merc used an environmentally friendly insulation on the wiring which didn't stand up to engine bay heat.
Early M103 and M104 didn't have this problem.
Will affect performance.
Harness alone may run over 1000 sterling .

If you have the VIN you can run it through EPC and get the data card.
This will indicate what options the vehicle has.

 

[d w124]

I would like to add a couple of points:
The gear knob says "Sportline" on it, if that is of any help.

I did notice that but maybe it was added,but as the post ^ says,get the vin nr and we can find the full spec

 

[MD5]

Two points re. the tombstones: there is a switch to operate these independently (about an 8-10 second operation), or they will fly up automatically if the sensors are activated. Otherwise, they will remain parked, regardless of the roof operation.

The inside of the bootlids are usually finished in grey, and I have read that the facelift era actually had a few inconsistencies due to registration dates etc, so the changeover period can be a bit of a grey area.

 

[dougal74]

There is no way that car is not a Sportline. Ignore The Boss there are loads of Sportlines out there and any "badged" ones over here in the UK are either imports or have had them added later. Most don't have the wheel and gearknob as these were expensive for what they were.

Knock a bit off the price to cover possible loom issues etc. and go for it, you won't lose any money on it and one day you'll sell it for £25k plus just like The Boss will!

 

[Polak]

Give the softtop and the rear roll over bars/headrest a real good test as here speaketh a man of experience in these things.

Check the hydraulic pump fluid, its in the boot (rht hnd side) and worth having a look at the state of the floor pon under the rear seat as lots of ECU here and prone to collect water also check the seat belt presenters work aok on both passenger and drivers side.

Agree with all that's said re power as mine pulls well when you give it some wellie and ride is superb

 

[Smiley]

No sign of any service history to back up the mileage or confirm the fact that it has been well maintained?

That colour combo of almadine and black leather is one of the worst possible imho and will be difficult to sell.

89 sportline in RHD is an urban myth as has already been said.

£10k is not a depreciation proof bargain. This car will see £5k well before it sees £10k or more again.

 

[d w124]

£10k is not a depreciation proof bargain. This car will see £5k well before it sees £10k or more again.

I think you`re wrong.Find me a rustfree coupe below 100k for 5k,let alone a cab

 

[bh13coupe]

i take it the owner has no MOT's to confirm the split on how many miles the car has done. if not walk away. I would hate to have my watches with a better documented history!!!

dont be blinded by the lure of the best 4 seat cabriolet money can buy. there will be others

 

[S9KSY]

Full Service History is there
However, a 1996 service history had the "6" tampered with!
Otherwise, everything seemed consistent for all years with a believable increment of mileage

 

[WDB124066]

I'd keep looking mate. Sportline cars with suspension in good condition are not harsh at all. Worn suspension tends to become harder in my experience and cabriolet cars will develop a "wobble" when the shocks and suspension bushes are worn. Expensive to fix, so keep an eye out for a lower milage car, they are cheaper overall.

 

[S9KSY]

The broad consensus is in favour of walking away from this car, and that is exactly what I am going to do.

You are spot on mates because today, I have just experienced how the suspension and engine of a W124 cabrio should be.

This afternoon I viewed another very interesting W124 Cabriolet (Private sale for £12,500) but with a much smoother engine and far better ride, handling and suspension.

A few other issues stopped me from signing the cheque before asking you for advice

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C154825/

The owner is an interesting charming man who was trailing me devotedly wiping any microscopical marks left by my (honestly clean) hands whenever I touch the car.
In brief, it has at least 2 resprayed panels. The left seatbelt presenter does not work. One key. Remote central locking does not work. Headlight wipers do not work. Cruise does not work. A small rust point in the rear door pillar.
I will update you with more details about positives and negatives later on. You will find a link for a new thread.

 

[neilrr]

Lot of probs for a car "maintained regardless of cost." CC, IFR central locking, HL W/W - some of those could be expensive. A key on it's own is £200. No mention of loom replacement or head gasket being done.

At 150,000 miles £12,495 is top money for that.

Wrong time of year to buy one of these really, but if you are not in a huge hurry keep looking.

 

[S9KSY]

Wrong time of year to buy one of these really, but if you are not in a huge hurry keep looking.

Correct
Even if I do not buy soon, I will hopefully gain more useful tips from helpful forum members and personal experience in the process, until my eventual purchase.

 

[Smiley]

As Neil says that is top top money even from a dealer for a 150k miler.
Should be about £8k private sale imo.
This one is one of the best colour combos though - and the colour of these cars is very very important when it comes to the time to sell.
My previous point about the value of the red one was misunderstood - what I meant was that these cars are not free of depreciation yet - apart from the very very best ones they are still going down in value each year.

And they are not as easy to sell as you might imagine - most buyers are not in a hurry - just like you - and will look and look.

 

[S9KSY]

the colour of these cars is very very important when it comes to the time to sell..........My previous point about the value of the red one was misunderstood

What do you think about this colour combination?
Nonmetallic Red with cream leather!

http://automobilesdeluxe.tv/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/mercedes-e320-rear-profile.jpg

http://automobilesdeluxe.tv/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/mb-e320-interior.jpg

WILL IT SELL EASILY?

I personally quite like this combination

 

[grober]

The coachline is not original so neither is the paint I suspect. The colour may well be Mercedes Signal Red however one of 5 solid colours compared to the 14 metallics on offer at the time. The body cladding and bumpers may also have been sprayed possibly?? as normally they would be a darker red [paprika red 3524] Some people like these bold non metallics but personally I prefer the darker metallics such as Nautic blue or Blueblack which are "the" colours of choice IMHO--and better resale!

 

[WDB124066]

I am with Neil on this one too cobber. If you like the car then cost up the repairs and take that off the price. He is lying in the ad, simple as that, and the cloth trick is just that, a trick IMHO

Re colour combo, if I may make a suggestion, I would not worry so much about colour combos unless you feel you would not want to be seen in it. I would concentrate on condition. Bit like real estate, except Condition Condition Condition, not Colour, Colour, Colour if you know what I mean. Of course if you have the time then you can afford to wait for both criteria.....

If it were me I would get the lowest mileage one I could find. I now know how absolutely marvellous the Sportline suspension is when in top condition. Any car over 100,000 miles will definitely need bushes ball joints and shocks to make it feel fresh.

 

[WDB124066]

Here you go S9KSY, do some overtime, put your hand in your pocket and go buy the green 1996 one. That would be my advice. You could be driving it in less than a week.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/user/ccts1064

I am sure Charles would buy it back from you and if he is the Gentleman I think he might be, he ought to give you a price that reflects the price you paid for it from him in the first place, so long as you look after it. I have just bought the exact same car here in NZL without the headlight wipers, with the same mileage, and it is such a cracker to drive. I also have a 198,000 km one which is getting a suspension job but it is in great condition. If you want the best experience owning one of these despite the asking price, I think it may very well be the cheapest option rather than buying for less and doing it up, or having to suffer in silence.

I don't know what your budget is, so forgive me if you hadn't planned on spending that much.

W.

 

[Smiley]

What do you think about this colour combination?
Nonmetallic Red with cream leather!

http://automobilesdeluxe.tv/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/mercedes-e320-rear-profile.jpg

http://automobilesdeluxe.tv/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/mb-e320-interior.jpg

WILL IT SELL EASILY?

I personally quite like this combination

The blues (azurite and bluie/black) with mushroom leather are what most buyers seem to favour. Personally I dont think that red suits the car - the almadine is better than the solid red but it needs to be with the light interior - in my opinion.
The green one at CI is better value than the 150k miler.

 

[neilrr]

The coachline is not original so neither is the paint I suspect. The colour may well be Mercedes Signal Red however one of 5 solid colours compared to the 14 metallics on offer at the time. The body cladding and bumpers may also have been sprayed possibly?? as normally they would be a darker red [paprika red 3524] Some people like these bold non metallics but personally I prefer the darker metallics such as Nautic blue or Blueblack which are "the" colours of choice IMHO--and better resale!

LHD, small number plate recess, climate control rather than standard AC - I'd guess American & if that's the case they nearly all have the horrible pinstriping. It's a way for the dealer to scalp the buyer for a few hundred dollars extra for something that costs them v. little.

Colour is an individual choice. Unfortunately when new most people think of resale time & opt for rather safe, dull colours, hence so many grey silver cars. With a second hand car it's condition over colour every time.