Originally Posted by creamy  Hi,
I've just picked up a '91 200TE Auto Estate (I believe the 200TE was not available in many countries, but there are certainly a few in the UK).
As I paid little (absolutely nothing, in fact) for it, I am happy to spend a bit on it to tidy it up a bit. The bodywork is good for its age (normal front wing stuff) and at 170k I hope it's got a bit of life left. I would like some advice from members regarding a couple of problems with it:
1) Vibration -
I TOO HAVE A 91 200TE BOUGHT IN STUTGART. THE DOGZ BOLLOX!
I HAVE 2013 KM ON THE CLOCK AND I TOO HAVE VIBRATIONS... I WILL CHANGE THE SILENT BLOCKS ON THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION LATER THIS YEAR. EASY AND AFFORDABLE. IN MY CASE I'M QUITE SURE THAT THEY HAVE LOST THEIR OIL, AND THE RUBBER HAS HARDEN. THE RESULT IS THAT THEY ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB. ON THESE MODELS THE SILENT BLOCKS ARE A MIX OF 2 TECHS: 1/ RUBBER 2/ OIL BATH. TO TEST THEM, NUDGE THE ENGINE LATERALLY BY HAND, IF THE ENTIRE CAR MOVES, YOU NEED TO CHANGE THEM.
2) Heater -
ONE IMPORTANT THING YOU SHOULD KNOW, HOT AIR NEVER GETS THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF CONSOLE AIR OUTPUT... THIS IS SOLELY FOR COLD AIR. THAT'S THE WAY IT HAS BEEN DESIGNED! IN ONLY COME TROUGH THE SIDES AND UNDERNEATH IN THE FOOT WELL.
CAN'T ANSWER THE RAD QUESTION..
Any help with these would be appreciated.
I'm still undecided whether to keep it or sell it on (and possibly buy a newer one with lower mileage, maybe diesel) - any thoughts / advice?
A DIESEL ONE WOULD BE GREAT, THE 250 IS PERFECT. LOOK FOR A 1995/1996, BUT NOT THE NEW MODEL, GO FOR THE THE FACELIFT ONE. THEY STOPPED MAKING THEM IN 1996. THE NEWER ONES HAVE A COMPUTER RUNNING THE ENGINE, AND YOU DON'T WANT THAT...
TO CHECK THE MILEAGE, LOOK FOR THE TALE TELL SIGNS OF WEAR AND TEAR ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. IF IT WORN OUT AT THE POINT OF FRICTION ON THE DOOR SIDE, THIS CAR IS ABOVE 200 KKM.
ON W124, THE WEAKNESS (SO TO SPEAK, AS IT IS STILL FAR MORE RELIABLE THAN ANY OTHER CAR) IS THE DISTRIBUTION CHAIN. LOOK FOR MODELS WITH A DOUBLE CHAIN... YOUR'S SHOULD HAVE ONE, OPEN THE OIL SCREW LEAD AND SEE IF THE CHAIN IS SINGLE OR DOUBLE... A DISTRIB CHAIN FAILURE IS THE WORSE THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU... OTHERWISE, IF YOU DO YOUR OIL CHANGE EVERY 6000 MILES, CHANGE THE OIL FILTER EVERY 12 000.
IF YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE EXHAUST CAT CONVERTER, THERE'S A GERMAN COMPANY THAT MAKES VERY RELIABLE AND CHEAP AFTERMARKET. I HAVE ONE, I PAID 250€.
LUCKY MAN! YOU HAVE THE BEST CAR EVER MADE! AFTER THIS MODEL IT IS ALL DOWNHILL FOR MERC..
ANY HELP, JUST ASK..
GOOD LUCK
PANZER BENZ!
Thanks,
Creamy |
