'95 E300D with 250K on the clock, is this scary or ok? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

billhard · #1 02-23-2011, 09:34 PM

I don't know much of the NA W124, I was hoping the wise yet frugal members here might tell me if this deal looks kosher:

1995 E300D
250K indicated
new glow plugs
appears clean in pictures
new fuel lines (I assume return lines
mid life tires
working heat and ac

Asking 3200.00

vstech · #2 02-23-2011, 09:40 PM

Wiring harness age?
PROOF of the glow plug replacement?
a/c condition? (evaporator is known to fail...)
Pretty decent price though.

TylerH860 · #3 02-23-2011, 09:43 PM

Not scary... Very durable engines, and you pointed to some good things that were done.

Glow plugs: Like to stick in the heads. Its good that they're fresh.

Fuel lines: Theres alot of them and the love to leak. Good news that this has been at least somewhat gone through.

Working AC: Good. Evaporators like to fail in the W124s.

Other things to watch for:

Wiring harness: At 250k I would imagine its not original, but you can check by looking at the ends of the insulation where the wiring comes out into the connectors for degredation. Also look for the date code of the harness (by the battery).

Transmission: Based on my experience and other threads the transmissions in these aren't as strong or long lasting as the old 617s. 250k on the original trans seems unlikely, but he may not have the history far back enough to know its been replaced. Just make sure everything feels top notch there.

Great cars otherwise, and that's a good price if the cosmetics are good.

chazola · #4 02-24-2011, 09:11 AM

If you can see a good service history and it's obviously been looked after, I wouldn't worry too much about the mileage. At that age certain stuff is going to be fairly worn though if it hasn't been replaced- like suspension bushings, sway bar bushings, engine mounts etc. Check for diff whine (a little is ok but you don't want howling which happened to mine), the engine should run very smoothly, if not the engine mounts are probably shot, ball joints can go suddenly if not changed around 200k, drive it with the windows closed and no radio on, that way you'll hear any noises that shouldn't be there. The wiring harness isn't much of an issue on these compared to the gas models, the only electrics I've had go wrong (touch wood) is failed glow plug controller.

This engine is pretty flat up until around 2500rpm, then it should pull nicely- don't be afraid of revving it high, they're quite happy running along at autobahn revs

I wouldn't worry about the miles on the engine as long as it's had regular oil changes, mine is at 207k and last emission test was running cleaner than ever.
The rest of the car is likely to fall apart before the engine...
If you do get it, change all the filters and delete the egr

engatwork · #5 02-24-2011, 10:02 AM

Our silver E300 is at around 273k miles and it is the wifes daily driver. It got a new head gasket at around 250k because of seepage from the right rear corner of the cylinder head. The wiring harness was changed out a few years ago. I have treated it to a new vacuum pump a couple years ago but I do expect to have to replace the alternator sometime this year. I've already replaced the a/c compressor and dryer. The wife leaves the button mashed that keeps the compressor on

. It is my personal opinion that the '95 E300 is the best car Mercedes has ever built if you are going to be putting alot of miles on it.

Chris W. · #6 02-24-2011, 11:52 AM

May I humbly point you to this thread:

Mileage milestone

Original trans, original injectors, original harness, head never off, original A/C. Second set of glow plugs. Recently did the EGR mod, excellent results and very pleased.

If you have records of frequent oil changes, that is a good. You MUST change the vacuum pump immediately if you buy the car and find no records of it having been changed. 250K is on the outer limit.

Rgds,
Chris W.

babymog · #7 02-24-2011, 12:29 PM

I've had 124s with 250k that are in excellent condition inside and out, I've had 124s with lower miles that need everything.

Realize that it's a 16year-old car. If it's been in the warm climates, it could need many rubber and plastic parts from vacuum-lines to suspension bushings, if a cold-climate car likely less of those but more corrosion. Warm coastal and it needs everything.

If you look around the car and see signs of wear: shiny steering wheel and shifter, logos worn off of the wiper stalk, seat worn, armrest in tough shape, this likely tells you that it has had mixed to city miles. If the seat and steering wheel look pristine, other controls and wear points in excellent shape, it has likely been a higway car and has much less wear in other parts. Ditto for maintenance items, if anything it needs was replaced, good. If many things are loose, broken, worn, or generally need attention it is as likely that more important things are also neglected (which you and your checkbook will chase for years).

The highway car has spent most of its life in high gear putting out around 20hp to run down the highway, few shifts, few turns, few braking events, few engine starts, few door openings etc. per mile. The city car has put out 75-140hp almost every time it leaves a light, lots of stops and starts, lots of engine start and hot/cold cycles, a lot more hours on the engine and at a much higher power output.

The highway car would be a steal at this price if well maintained, the city car that is neglected? Walk away. You'll have to appraise its use and condition to determine its value.

billhard · #8 02-24-2011, 01:22 PM

Oh well I have been busy as hell this week and couldn't go see it. Now the ad is down.