To keep or not to keep (300TE) - Benzworld.org

AnE2pleaz · 08-15-2003, 04:10 PM

Hi,

As some of you might know, I have a 89 300TE with 330k on the clock that has a tired engine. All places that I have gone to, have quoted to fix the car in the vicinity of $10k to $15k. The engine,steering box, and gear box need an overhaul also the exhaust and some other things. I know that I either gotta do it or sell it. I can buy a new car and get a 3 year warranty but spend s#@tloads on the initial purchase. Or keep the car, spend the $15k but then it should last another 10 years. What should I do?

andy_k · 08-15-2003, 05:10 PM

I know that I wouldn't consider spending that kind of money on our 1989 TE.

with that kind of money i'd probably buy a '94/'95 estate car/wagon with full sevice history etc.

throwing a lot of money on a car that at the end of the day won't be worth what you have spent on it unless you genuinely plan to keep it for another 10 years doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Andy

AnE2pleaz · 08-15-2003, 06:56 PM

Well, if we do fix it, we are planning to keep it for the next 10-15 years and its only a work car, my dad is a painter and decorator. The car is in overall good condition, just that those things i mentioned need done. He likes the way it drives compared to alot of other cars we drove thats why.

Greg in Oz · 08-18-2003, 06:26 PM

I've noticed that W124s have got a lot cheaper in Oz recently, particularly the wagons which held their value well for a long time. For not much more than the money you are talking to fix yours, you could buy another with lower kilometres. Sell yours for say $8k to $10k AUD (even one with high kilometres should get that), combine that with the $10k to $15 you were going to spend fixing it and you should have enough to buy a tidy 300TE with lower kilometres with the added advantage of a higher resale value if ever you do need to sell. You also get to continue driving a car that you enjoy. I can understand wanting to stay with a 300TE. Even today I would be hard pressed to find a wagon I would prefer.

AnE2pleaz · 08-19-2003, 03:42 PM

Hey Greg,

Well thats what we were thinking. We love this type of model very much, but the age thing is what is making us think twice. The only two other options are, buy a newer second hand W210 E320 wagon or for the same price sell the 300TE for a commodore or falcon!

Greg in Oz · 08-19-2003, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Hey Greg,

Well thats what we were thinking. We love this type of model very much, but the age thing is what is making us think twice. The only two other options are, buy a newer second hand W210 E320 wagon or for the same price sell the 300TE for a commodore or falcon!

I personally don't like the W210 wagon as much as our W124 wagon. At the moment I cannot see any upgrade path from our 300TE and for that reason we are taking great care of it in the hope it will last us for many years to come. Fortunately it only travels about 10k to 12k kilometres per year, so with under 180,000km on it now it should be good for many years yet.

As for a Holden or Ford wagon, well I don't believe them to be even in the same league. At work we purchased a new Holden Commodore Berlina (3.8 V6) wagon the same week I purchased our used 1990 300TE back in 1998. At that time I could have purchased either for the same money. Today, our 300TE is worth $10k more and all along has been a much nicer car than the Holden. The Holden offers a bit more space and a trip computer but little else over the 300TE. Our wagon offers 7 seats, is far more versatile, smoother, quieter, better handling and riding. The Buick derived 3.8 V6 in the Holden is just plain coarse. Its independant rear suspension is a copy of what MB used back in the '70s, except it doesn't work as well! As for a Ford Falcon (or Fairmont) wagon of the same era, well I think it's even worse than the Holden. As for its leaf sprung live rear axle, that dates from the horse and cart days! Even though the Ford has a "higher tech" 4 litre OHC inline six, it doesn't seem much smoother than the Holden's V6 and is also raucous at high revs. The delightful M103 in the 300TE is turbine smooth and in a totally different league to these Aussie offerings, even if it doesn't quite match them for power or torque on paper. In real world performance there is nothing in it, despite the 300TE being just as heavy as the local wagons.

As I said, I hope our 300TE lasts for a long time to come.

chris_stam · 08-19-2003, 11:02 PM

I tend to agree with Greg. After owning two commodores in the last 9 years we looked at our options of what to purchase next as a family car. We have 3 kids so it would be nice to have a extra two seats for emergency and there was no way I was going to buy a 4 x 4. Even though most Australian built cars go forever mechanically and a cheaper to repair and maintain they start to deteriorate very quickly even if they are looked after. We have only had our 90 300te for a couple of months and so far I am so impressed on how it still drives like a $100k car, so smooth and quite. To purchase an equivalent current model Falcon or commodore with the features of the 300te you would be looking at 50k but my 300te didn't even cost half that. I am hoping that if I look after it the next ten years I will be able to pass it on to my kids.

Greg in Oz · 08-19-2003, 11:41 PM

Chris,

Welcome to this forum. I recognise you from another forum where I have been following the story of your 300TE. It's great to see another Aussie here and I hope you enjoy this forum. You had better tell everyone about your 300TE for the benefit of those who don't visit the other forum. There are many W124 enthusiasts here including several with wagons, including Andy B (abarton) in the UK who has a rare 300TE-24 Sportline. I think he's still holidaying but I'm sure we'll hear from him soon.

Greg

AnE2pleaz · 08-20-2003, 12:13 AM

Hey guys,

These are the kinds of response ive needed just to keep me telling myself that I should really keep the car. I know what u guys are saying and even though most of people here arent from Australia, im glad to see that at least a few of you guys have had a commodore or falcon and we share some kind of familiarity with the cars in question. Now that I know I should keep the car, Ive seen a few cars on the net and around the place. Many have high mileage though. Oh well, Ill just have to wait until someone sells theirs wont I? The best ive seen so far is a 90 model with 90000 kms. One of interest also is a 1994 E280 although with 234000kms. But thanks guys, its just that you can buy a 98 99 commodore or falcon for 13-14k and they have all the goods that we are after.

Greg in Oz · 08-20-2003, 12:40 AM

Christian,

Regarding your (or is it your Dad's) 300TE, I can understand it needing an exhaust and perhaps a steering box and transmission overhaul, but what does the engine need? At 330,000km I would not have expected it would need much other than a top end overhaul (head, valves, seats, hydraulic lifters, timing chain, tensioner and rails), unless it has been way overdue on oil changes and filters. $10 to 15k AUD sounds a lot.

As to the car's intended function that's what you have to decide. You mention your father is a painter and decorator. Does he need the wagon for work? If so I would have considered a van (or local Aussie wagon) appropriate. Such vehicles could be replaced frequently and would be considered a work related tax deduction. If its function is primarily not work related then I would consider the 300TE suitable. I don't think I could bring myself to use a 300TE where there is risk of marking or damaging the interior. Ours with its cream-beige interior has the rear seats, floor and load area covered with blankets so that not even the kids can come into contact with any of it! Only when being cleaned and at concours time do the blankets get removed to reveal that lovely interior.

Greg