Advice on impending '95 E300D ...
 

Car in question: 1995 E300D
139k

Hello friends -

I sent a deposit check today for a '95 E300D. Seems like a pretty nice car. One owner with all of its service records. It was serviced at one dealership its whole life, so I gave them the VIN number and we briefly discussed some of its service history. I will call and speak with an advisor tomorrow. But briefly, this is what I know:

1. Car had head work done at ~135k. I'm guessing this was the head gasket. Common at this mileage?

2. The rep. told me that the owner had declined several A/C repairs. I'm worried that this might be the dreaded W124 evaporator problem. Thoughts?

3. Rep. also indicated that the blower motor was on its last legs - don't know if that was replaced or not. A big deal ... how much $$$$ ?

4. The rep. did not indicate that any suspension work had been done on the car. At 139k, what can I expect suspension-wise? Am I OK for awhile yet, or will shocks and struts need attention soon?

Other than that, it looks like a great car. The dealer is asking $8,950 for it.

I will get more information tomorrow on the head work and the refused A/C repairs, but as we stand now, what are your thoughts?

Also, what is the maintenance interval for these vehicles? Oil changes every 7.5k, and major service schedules every 15k??

Thanks in advance for the help!

-Michael.

Head work at 135K miles is NOT normal. Find out why. It could have been an overheat (most likely) or (less likely) it could have been required as an extreme measure to remove a seized glow plug (search OM606 PLUG)

Ignoring recommened repairs suggests to me that the previous owner was lazy about maintenance. Since you have the records, examine them for coolant drain and replenishment intervals with the proper MB rated coolant as a start. I'd want to know who did the head work and the specific details leading to it.

E300 Diesel good/bad buy
 

I owne a
e300 D with a little over 127K and it runs better every day,the evap will go bad on the 1995 E300D.mine developed a leak at 56K and the dealer stood his ground on the warranty expired at 50K,I had a good relationship with my dealerand he contacted the zone rep and MB USA split the bill with me 50%50 and I was glad to get that because the total bill parts and labor $4000.00.now that was a hit,but no prob since,another thing you could not buy my car for that price,watch out for A/C problems
Tom Brown Va Section
E300 D 127 K 1995
C 220 1995 (hers)

We have a E300D, no problems (knock on wood).

Search for E300D Om606 etc to get more answers, or search my nickname and my posting will pop up for a similar question to yours.

Find out why the head is off, the glow plugs do get stuck in these engines. If they have not been touched yet plan on having to take the head off, after 100k they don't seem to like to come out. The possible AC work would worry me I would try to work that into the deal.

$8950 is way too much money for that car with a busted A/C. You need to do some more homework.

>>>1. Car had head work done at ~135k. I'm guessing this was the head gasket. Common at this mileage?

I hope not! I have 143K on my car.

>>>2. The rep. told me that the owner had declined several A/C repairs. I'm worried that this might be the dreaded W124 evaporator problem. Thoughts?

Well I guess the question is if the A/C works now and which repairs were turned down. Remember you are talking to a dealer rep. They always have an interest in doing more work to cars.

>>> 3. Rep. also indicated that the blower motor was on its last legs - don't know if that was replaced or not. A big deal ... how much $$$$ ?

Who knows what this means? I would test it myself. Maybe the blower just makes some noise that you can live with vs. an expensive dealer repair.

>>>4. The rep. did not indicate that any suspension work had been done on the car. At 139k, what can I expect suspension-wise? Am I OK for awhile yet, or will shocks and struts need attention soon?

I did shocks/struts/alighnment at 100K or so. Cost $1000 for P/L and alignment. It might not have been time to do this work, but I figured what the heck. Car did drive better afterwards.

I did control arm bushings, rear suspension links, alignment, ball joints at 135K. The bushings where shot all of the way around, this work needed to be done. Cost me $1800 for P/L. Combined with the shocks/struts the car drives/handles as the day I bought it or better. The car loves to cruise the highway at 3000RPMs, plenty of power at that speed to for highway driving.

I did the front/rear brakes at 120K. I did rotors/pads/calipers all the way around. Cost me $1200 P/L (which I thought was good considering the price of the front calipers).

>>> Other than that, it looks like a great car. The dealer is asking $8,950 for it.

I'm sure it is nice, but with some expensive work possibly on the horizon it might be better to look for one where the work has already been done. Best thing to do would be to get a pre-purchase inspection outside of the dealership to see what needs to be addressed in the near future.

>>> Also, what is the maintenance interval for these vehicles? Oil changes every 7.5k, and major service schedules every 15k??

I'm a nut and change my oil every 3000 miles. I use dino oil rather than synthetic. What is the major service every 15K?

I think next I am going to have my mechanic check for "timing chain stretch." I have not replaced the glow plugs in this car. I did however recently have to have some leaking fuel lines addressed.

The E300 is OUT!
 

Hello friends -

Thanks for all of your wonderful help. I talked with the guy at the independent dealership today, and when I confronted him on specific issues, he gave me the usual, "This is a great car ... we're selling it at such a low price ..." line. Not pleased with him at all. So, the E300D is out!

Just today, I got a lead on a really nice '92 300D 2.5. It only has 86k on the odometer. The dealership selling it is asking $9,950 and promises a 1 year warranty on it, good nation-wide! Am going to follow everyone's advice and do a pre-purchase inspection before buying. It's going to happen hopefully tomorrow or Thursday. I'll keep everyone posted!

Take care, and THANKS,
Michael.

you may want to check this out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4523962288

Really nice car - will definitely keep it in mind!

THANKS for the info,
Michael.

Good luck with your car shopping :)