W124 320TE Sportline on eBay

[dougal74]

This is the model I wanted before I got my 300TE, if only...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9855&item=4541343974&rd=1

 

[Howard]

What a gorgeous looking car .......

 

[dougal74]

Limited Edition?

David the seller is wondering if this is a Limited (or run out) Edition given the equipment, is there any expert here willing to lend a hand to find out what is what? Seems to have all the Sportline bits and pieces present and correct (along with a few later mods)...but I really don't know?

 

[andy_k]

I'm not sure it's a genuine sportline, didn't they have a different steering wheel? and leather was unusual as the sportline interior was part of an expensive options package.

It just doesn't look like a sportsline (if that makes sense). So few cars that are advertised as sportline are the genuine item - proceed with care if you are thinking of bidding.

As to the sellers comments about the seven seat option costing more to insure - well, that's not true either - well, not in our case and ours is factory fitted.

He's right about the wiring loom (well partly) it's not just steam cleaning that kills it and it should have been replaced by now - many were done by MB under warranty/goodwill but I'm not sure that still applies. I wouldn't knowingly buy a W124 with that loom on it's a very expensive timebomb just waiting to fail.


Other things,

the service history although pretty much complete shows 12000 mile gaps between services - double the recommended on this engine

Not one I'd buy without knowing a lot more about it and seeing the original factory options list

Andy

 

[Howard]

I think the steering wheel is right ......

Wouldn't it have 'sportline' blue and black badges on the side mouldings behind the front wheels (i know badges are transferable, but people don't generally go that far or might not know)

The seats look the same as mine though (and mine isn't a sportline thats for sure)

Hmmmmmm................... who else might know .......

Mr Walker ?

 

[janner]

Yup, It's got the full Sportline interior :bannana:
Loads of car for the money.

 

[andy_k]

Yup, It's got the full Sportline interior :bannana:
Loads of car for the money.

that kinda depends on what "the money" is or more precisely what the reseve is set at.

Sounds like he paid a lot for this car and is expecting to get a good return - he knows what it's worth (well sort of) so it won't be cheap.

That original wiring loom would put me off immediately though

Andy

 

[dougal74]

Thanks for the info

Howard - It has badges between the side repeaters and the front door jam and a logo'd gearknob. He hasn't listed the 6000m lube changes though they've been done. If I get the chance I'll go and view and report back...

 

[janner]

The 3 grand that it's at now is about right.
I bought a 300E-24 Sportline saloon five years ago for £2500. I kept it for two years and sold it for £3000. I didn't want to sell it but a customer in the Merc garage fell in love with it when I was having it serviced. I thought I was getting a good deal but I've regretted selling it ever since.
Genuine Sportlines are like rocking horse poo to get hold of.

Howard, The seats are very different to the ones in your coupe. The sides are much higher.
The coupe and Sportline saloon have similar rear seats but the Sportline estates keep the 3 rear seats (for practicality I guess?)

Edit,
Just read the description. The wiring loom wouldn't put me off. The dealers sometimes changed them in the early years under warranty without telling the owners. I'd check if it's new or old.
What would put me off is the 5-speed auto. They're not well known for their reliability.
Also the engine bay should be cleaner than that even if he had never cleaned it. Is the plastic under tray missing?