Hello,
I am considering purchasing an '88 300E. This would be my first w124. Have had several other MB both old and new. The car is in decent overall shape and has been well cared for. It has 215K on it, and looks more like 50K. The electrics all work as new, A/C blows cold, Cruise works, Interior is 95%.
The Bad . . .
Has the mysterious stutter / stalling after warming up - I suspect the OVP relay after lurking here for months, it appears to be the older part # so I suspect it is original. If you keep a little throttle dialed in it won't die - just sputter.
The second time I looked at it I just started it up and let it idle - about 10 min in, once it got up to temp, it started sputtering and exhaust smelled 'rich' with fuel. Again, a little throttle and it clears up.
Looks like it is due for OVP, Cap, Rotor, Wires..........anything else?
It also has a trans fluid leak. Left about a silver dollar sized spot when parked after driving, and a little smoke wafting off the exhaust. Shifts smooth, no noise from tranny, kick down is fine. Didn't look like it was leaking at the pan, in front and passenger side - any ideas?
I can get a great deal on this car, $1000 from a friend of a friend who was very honest about it's worts - he is not a car guy - just takes it to the shop and pays the $. Decent records - has always been a realtor's car - so lots of miles across town every day. Pretty good start for a fun project.
What do you think?
What else am I missing?
What else should I be looking for?
_________________________________
99 E320
80 240D
95 Volvo 850 Turbo Wagen
I would like to take it to Stu's but can't get in right away.
Seller has other buyers interested, ( I was there when a couple showed up ), and he wants to sell by Friday - He is buying a newer Merc and cash is going to that deal. He has given me a couple of days (til tomorrow night to decide) and I don't want it to sound like he is pressuring me. He has been great through all of this.
I ran it by my local Import (volvo/saab mainly) mech, and he looked it over, but he doesn't know alot about the W124's. (He drives a 78 W123 w/ 500k on it - so he likes the MB's) He said he thought it could very well be the OVP relay and a tune up, he gave it the tentative thumbs up
I just would like to hear from some 300E experts if there is anything I am overlooking . . . . . .
__________________
1996 E320 Tourmaline Green Metallic
former M-B's
00 ML430 (Electrical Gremlin-mobile)
99 E320 (Black Bomber)
87 300E (Stealth Panzer)
80 240D (It wasn't very fast, but it sure was slow)
Tranny leak could be old "weeping" lines from the transmission to the cooler. This was the case on my old 86 300E (inexpensive parts and EZ to change). I would think that the O2 sensor is also due for a change and that might cure the "rich" problem. Also, adjusting the air/fuel mixture will help (discription seems to be a "rich" running car) As for the rest, new cap, rotor, plugs, wires etc. Fuel filter.
Look for sludge in the coolant reservoir to make sure there is no head gasket leak. Tranny leak could also be front pump seal which is an expensive fix. For $1000 even if the car is a total sh*tbox you could likely make your money back in parts.
Linear Mode
