[aggoo]

Hi all
I went to view a 1988 300ce with 120000 miles on it today. I have a couple of questions, and i'm after some advice.

On starting from cold, i had to turn the key with my foot on the gas for about 5 seconds before it would start. Is that normal, or should it start instantly like a modern car?

The car has also been lowered, and was quite stiff when going over bumps. It also squeaked and clunked when going over the bumps; is this a very bad sign?

There were minor body blemishes. Do these cars rust badly, or are they very soildly built?

The gas pedal had a very long travel, and needed a good shove to get any response. Is this normal? Once you pushed it the car seemed powerful and seemless and was a dream on the motorway.

The aircon takes a few minutes to cool down. Is this normal, or is there likely to be a problem?

There is no obvious service history, but the milage appears genuine. What are the main things i should look out for when i go to check it again.


Thanks in advance

 

[67_250SE]

Aggoo:

I am not a CE expert, I own a 1989 300TE. Some of the issues that you mention, however, don't sound right.

My suggestion is that you invest a couple of hundred dollars in a thorough Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI). These are nice cars, but can end up being quite the money pit.

Good luck.

 

[aggoo]

also forgot to mention; when in gear (automatic) and stationary with my foot on the brake, the car was making a grumbling sound, although it didn't seem to shudder. As soon as i started moving, it disappeared. Is this common?

 

[SPIKE81]

My current daily driver is a 89 300CE AMG. I can do nothing but praise this car for the beating it's taken from me, and no mechanical problems what so ever. Mine has 94k on it and I highly maintain it. I went threw the same starting problem the beginning of this winter and replaced the cold start. Although I have found no parts terribly exspensive so far, you might want to do what 67_250SE suggested and take it to the dealer for a fine go over.This would inable you to know what your dealing with first hand. Mine is as solid as the day it was built and I have several older Benzs I can say the same for. If you do decide to get the car and run into parts problems I would be happy to point you in the right direction for them.

 

[carguy]

I have a 1989 300CE. They are great cars when properly maintained. I had a similar starting problem. My fuel pump relay was replaced and the injectors cleaned and that solved the problem. I have never seen a badly rusted 300CE, I think they are fairly resistant to corrosion but there may be exceptions. These cars start in 2nd gear so they are a bit slow off the line unless you shift manually, accelerate hard, or have the transmission modified to start in first. I prefer a stock unmodified car so I would avoid the example you are looking at but if the price is right get a pre purchase inspection before buying.