Ok, after careful research and consideration, I've decided to put off the rebuilt/conversion of my Dead '94 E320 and pursue this track car project in the future.
I'm now looking for the 1993-1995 E420/400E.
Any recommendations or advice to look for before buying one?
Any common problems, such as the A/C, Electrical system, Water Cooling system, dash or console(windows) switches, body blemishes(crack, fades or squeaks), Suspension or Brakes...
I'm about to inspect one in the Riverside, California area, it has a leaky A/C, per the owner that's the only flaw. Just had the water pump replaced as well.
Otherwise no body damages, or interior blemishes. We'll negotiate price after I inspect it.
Any advice on a 1994 E420 would be helpful.
Thanks gurus!
__________________
"Droppin' a dime, my 2 cents is free, give the rest to Uncle Sam..."
1983 190E 2.3L 8V
(deceased, and sold on Ebay)
1994 E320 Sedan White & Grey
(Keeper)
RE: the 190E Evo II Rear Wing Spoiler.BMW research and development chief, Wolfgang Reitzle: The laws of aerodynamics must be different between Munich and Stuttgart...
IF THAT REAR WING WORKS, WE WILL HAVE TO REBUILD THE BMW TUNNEL... and so they did!!!
First - 400Es are great cars. One of the finest used MBs. You get 85% of the capability of a 500E for less than half the price. This gets a big from me. A 400E will also return the same fuel mileage as a 300E/E320 as long as you drive somewhat conservatively. Drive it like you stole it (ahem) and the mileage will drop, as should be expected.
My warning is because you mention leaky A/C. I don't understand these sellers. "A/C needs a charge."
Well if all the A/C needs is a charge then why not give it a bloomin' charge so that it works properly when you're trying to sell the car??
Anyhow, Mercedes A/C systems almost N E V E R "just need a charge." A 400E A/C compressor is very expensive. That could be the problem. Even worse it could have a leaky evap. If the evap is leaking, immediately knock $4K off the price you're willing to pay. That project is $2,800 of shop labor just to do the evap as the entire dashboard has to be removed and replaced .
Get a thorough, independent diagnosis of why the A/C is not working. - you need to understand this before you proceed.
The car will need the wiring harness replaced if it has not already been done. This is probably the only part where the 400E part is cheaper than the 300E part, I don't know why.
The M119 motor is really stuffed in there and these cars tend to run a bit hot. If the cooling system isn't up to snuff, watch out. These are amazing motors and the only way to kill one is to run it hot or run it w/o oil. Radiator replacement isn't hard. Fan clutch is shockingly expensive for just the part. (>$500!!) Aux fans need to be working - if they aren't, the culprit is usually a big resistor right behind the driver's side headlight that rusts. It's a $30 part and takes 30 mins to swap out - not a big deal.
I would avoid a 400E w/ slip control. The system is complicated and troublesome.
Report back w/ results, and good luck.
__________________
Matt in Atlanta
1983 300CD
Black-on-black daily driver
270K and still chugging along
1992 400E
Smoke silver-on-mushroom
145K and counting on the M119
A/C leaks, per the owner. He's tried to refill and it leaks.(Honest)
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrhills0146
...If the evap is leaking, immediately knock $4K off the price you're willing to pay. That project is $2,800 of shop labor just to do the evap as the entire dashboard has to be removed...
I will keep that in mind... when negotiating... Thanks Mr. Hills!
ASR (Slip Control) was a common feature and it will be more difficult to find one without. I would agree though that its preferable to find one without. ASR involves a drive by wire system where a computer has the final say over what throttle position means. This system introduces a few complexities into troubleshooting and will make repairs much more expensive should one of the involved pieces fail.
The reason for the mileage is low geared differential (1:2.24) however this makes it slower off the line. Slamming the accelerator you'll get a feeling not unlike turbo lag. The wheels are also too small for the car. In Europe they were taller and wider by an inch. Due to the smaller contact patch the rear will slip quite easily which on my car invokes the ASR.
ASR is nice in winter though.
Likewise I'd look for a car with perfect AC. Its one of three most expensive failures you could have. There is a lot of discussion on the timing chain and when to replace it. The problem is actually with the plastic guides, while the chain doesn't stretch much the guides do fail and its a good idea to have that looked at somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 miles.
As far as features go the 400s have the Burled Walnut instead of the Zebrano trim. The seats are not the same as the 300s having more substantial side bolsters. The 92s have slightly less horsepower than the 93s and later. The 95s were sold as Special Editions with a few cosmetic alterations.
That leaky A/C does not sound good but you might get lucky - maybe the leak is just as the pressure switch or other easily-fixed spot. However, if it was an easy fix, the PO would likely have fixed it. :-(
That said, if you can get the car on the cheap and then have the evap replaced with the updated version NOT prone to leakage, then you've got yourself a great car and you'll never have to worry about that damned evaporator! :-)
Check all the usual things you'd look at on any used MB, but pay special attention to engine wiring harness, HVAC system, and engine cooling system. Also find out last time brake fluid was flushed. Price out new calipers for a 400E and you'll realize the importance of keeping nice fresh brake fluid in there! The fan clutch is also a very expensive part. Not too hard to replace yourself if you're willing to remove the radiator. I just replaced mine at right under 140K miles and the motor runs nearly 20C cooler.
Eliot is right - the 400s all have walnut trim instead of Zebrano, and you will also not find a 400 with MBTex seats as they all had leather. Euro headlights are a nice upgrade for those so inclined.
A properly-running W124 car with the M119 engine is one of life's great joys. Good luck.
No reason not to consider a 92 model - basically the same as the 93, both of which have metal oil tubes that are bulletproof. Avoid ASR at all costs. It should not be that hard to find a non-ASR car in California, or anywhere in the west or south.
That leaky A/C does not sound good but you might get lucky - maybe the leak is just as the pressure switch or other easily-fixed spot. However, if it was an easy fix, the PO would likely have fixed it. :-(
That said, if you can get the car on the cheap and then have the evap replaced with the updated version NOT prone to leakage, then you've got yourself a great car and you'll never have to worry about that damned evaporator! :-)
Check all the usual things you'd look at on any used MB, but pay special attention to engine wiring harness, HVAC system, and engine cooling system. Also find out last time brake fluid was flushed. Price out new calipers for a 400E and you'll realize the importance of keeping nice fresh brake fluid in there! The fan clutch is also a very expensive part. Not too hard to replace yourself if you're willing to remove the radiator. I just replaced mine at right under 140K miles and the motor runs nearly 20C cooler.
Eliot is right - the 400s all have walnut trim instead of Zebrano, and you will also not find a 400 with MBTex seats as they all had leather. Euro headlights are a nice upgrade for those so inclined.
A properly-running W124 car with the M119 engine is one of life's great joys. Good luck.
Just a quick note on two points you raise. On the evaporator R&R, it is time consuming but if someone quoted you $2800 labor, find a different repair shop. @$75 an hour that is not a 37 hour job.
Also, re the calipers, they are expensive but you can buy caliper rebuild kits for $30 per wheel which cuts about $1400 off that parts cost Yeah.
No reason not to consider a 92 model - basically the same as the 93, both of which have metal oil tubes that are bulletproof. Avoid ASR at all costs. It should not be that hard to find a non-ASR car in California, or anywhere in the west or south.
I agree with Deanyel on the ASR. I have it on my 500Es and it drives me nuts. On a nice lightly rainy afternoon I managed to do a perfect 360 in my lane [thank you very much] right in front of a cop as I turned off a ramp onto a six lane highway. I was gong 35.
Cop did not give me a ticket since I did not get out of lane, did not hit anything, and did not freak and stop, I kept going. He pulled up beside me at the next light and asked when the next show was. I told him as soon as I eliminated the Fn ASR.
I have a 92 400E with 52000 miles and love it. I bought it with 42000 miles a year ago and it just needed it's first repair - new caps and rotors and spark plugs. Easy fix, took care of an annoying miss. Parts looked to be original. Car is fantastic, one- previous owner, no ASR, has everything else I think. Love it. Used to get 22mpg on my previous 46 miles commute, now gets around 12 on my 1.8 mile commute that never gets near a freeway. As a result I never have any idea what gas costs.
Car is great, can't imagine paying 3-4 times the price for a similar condition 500E.
I have a 1994 E 420-14-18 mpg citi and 23 mpg highway. You can make it 27 mpg if you drive with 50-55 mpa. on the highway. And the most important you need mechanic that can read the computer codes, ather ways you will end up replacing many good parts until you find the problem. Good mechanics are hard to find. I stil look for one. That make me think even for baying a new car. But if the car is fixed it is one of the best cars probably made ever. I love it.
from me. A 400E will also return the same fuel mileage as a 300E/E320 as long as you drive somewhat conservatively. Drive it like you stole it (ahem) and the mileage will drop, as should be expected.
Yeah.
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