I'm looking at buying a 1989 230E. It's done 210,000km and had the same owner for the last 13 years. He told me the fan needs replacing. Is this a common problem? Could this problem be deeper than just the fan needing replacing?
Any other tips on what to look out for on the 230 engine specifically? I've searched other forums and found general tips for the w124 (i.e. check suspension, common rust areas, etc.) but found nothing for this engine specifically.
Check the front of the engine, near the bottom, for any signs of oil leak.
Check the coolant for oil globs.
Why does he think the fan needs replacing? The 230E has an electro-magnetic fan. Its comes on at 105 on the temp gauge on the instrument cluster (before it reaches that point it free wheels). If it doesn't come on at that temp you might need to simply replace the temperature switch.
Listen for a differential howl when the car is moving.
that's an m102 correct? the 4 banger version of the m103...
it's a pretty solid engine IMO, used to have both a 190E 2.3 and an 87 230E...same engine, pretty peppy engine on the 190 Class(w201)... just a tad sluggish on the w124. only engine noise i had were caused by the hydraulic lifters... other than those they were pretty solid, no warping head issues like the 603.
about the fan... yeah, might be that simple... might be not... do a compression check if possible to rule out head gasket issues first...
btw, not all were equipped with an electro magnetic clutch... i remember having a fluid clutch in one... might have been retro-fitted i'm not sure... it's easy to spot though
that's an m102 correct? the 4 banger version of the m103...
it's a pretty solid engine IMO, used to have both a 190E 2.3 and an 87 230E...same engine, pretty peppy engine on the 190 Class(w201)... just a tad sluggish on the w124. only engine noise i had were caused by the hydraulic lifters... other than those they were pretty solid, no warping head issues like the 603.
about the fan... yeah, might be that simple... might be not... do a compression check if possible to rule out head gasket issues first...
btw, not all were equipped with an electro magnetic clutch... i remember having a fluid clutch in one... might have been retro-fitted i'm not sure... it's easy to spot though
Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely get a compression test done.
About the Hydraulic lifters, when they make a noise, do they need replacing or is it something that can be lived with? Is it a costly repair?
I'm not sure what you mean about the fan clutches. I have no idea how to tell the difference between a fluid clutch or a magnetic clutch.....could you enlighten me? Which is better to have? Which is more reliable? Which is more costly to fix?
I went to look at the car last night. It wasn't at all what he said it was!! It sounded like a tank because of a hole in the exhaust, so I couldn't even here the engine properly!
There was oil all down the front of the engine and a layer of oil in the panel below the engine
The metallic blue paint was faded, so would need a respray. Then came the interior.....
I opened the door and he said, "As you can see it's neat inside". I looked inside and thought, what the hell is he smoking. It was so dirty, as if it hadn't ever been cleaned since new. Most of the door handles/arm rests were broken. The seat felt like it wouldn't last for much longer. The odometer was stuck on 164,000. Only the back right and front left electric windows worked. It was a mess!! It's very sad to see a great car in such a neglected state.
The only good thing that I could see was that there was no rust, only surface rust under the spare tyre as expected, and the body still seemed solid.
I suppose you get what you pay for as this car is almost 50% less than what you'd expect to pay for one in excellent condition. Even if I knocked the price down I don't think it would be worth the time and money to restore it
Oh well, I guess I'll keep looking and hope to find one driven by a pensioner it's whole life, with only 100,000km on the clock and a full service history If only....
the car it's build in 1989 years, at least 19 years old from now..
very old like my benz to.. hehe...230 e 1989 manual..but not to bad.
you must check engine first, seal engine(oil seal), radiators, vacum for doorlock, fuel disc, bosch power steering, shockbreker stir, tie rod, carter oil, n many more not to important..
ok.. have a nice day..
I subsequently found myself a 1992 230E Sportline which I bought from an auction house. White with black leather interior. In the price I negotiated in the fact that the gearbox needed to be overhauled as reverse did not work when warm.
So I’ve got a fully reconditioned box now too But not without my fair share of headaches due to gearbox oil leaks and needing to send the car back to the Gearbox place numerous times!!! Thankfully it was all under warranty. Box seems fine now as they replaced the sump which seemed to be cutting the gasket and the casing which had a small crack
Looking at buying 1989 230e 
It sounded like a tank because of a hole in the exhaust, so I couldn't even here the engine properly!
If only....
But not without my fair share of headaches due to gearbox oil leaks and needing to send the car back to the Gearbox place numerous times!!!
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