PPI results in....Advice NEEDED! (500E)
 

Hello,

I am looking at a '92 Silver on Black 500E with 86,000 miles on it.

The ad read: "Absolutely Mint".

There were minor cosmetic faults that were negotiated.

A deposit was left with the stipulation that a PPI be performed.

The compression test and leakdown were perfect.

And now, the rest of the story:

Fuel line chafed by loose clamp
replace engine mono belt and tensioner
transmission cooler lines leak
upper timing chain cover leaking
power steering pump and line leaking

These are the majors...several small ones also.

It does not appear to be 'mint'.

Are these items a deal breaker? Does it point to more problems down the road? Are these from neglect or common?

Please help! I need to talk to owner shortly!

Thanks,

Dave

daveb12@adelphia.net
AOL Instant Messenger: BabinskiD

The PS pump could be small or big-there's a feed line underneath that can leak, and needs to be tightened only. Or a new, expensive pump.

Monobelt tensioner & belt-to be expected

Trans cooler lines are cheap-make the seller do 'em, along with a full tranny service

Upper timing cover - again, could be big or small, but likely small $$

Fuel line - cheap, maybe $50 with parts

How much for the car?

Car as is.
 

Hi,

We are at $25,500 as is.

It was heated garage kept it's entire life.....it just seems the guy was slow to do PM.

++db

I had my power steering pump housing replaced on extended warranty. The dealer indicated that was a fairly common problem. Often it is just the housing and not the pump...

Why not figure out the cost of repairs and ante up for a real "mint" example?

Good luck! :)

If that was all they could find in the PPI, it would seem to be reasonable to me. Has the AC been converted or overhauled yet, and is the wiring harness OK? Wasn't there a brake caliper issue on the 1992 500Es as well?

How bad is that upper timing chain cover leak? You will be due for a PM replacement of the timing chain in 14K miles anyway. Can it wait until then?

Thanks for the input.
 

Thanks guys for all of your input. I am heading down today with check in hand.......

Dean: When you say, "Why not figure out the cost of repairs and ante up for a real "mint" example? "
do you mean get THIS car up to mint. Or do you mean figure out how much I would HAVE to spend and then go look for a 'mint' example?

Mark: If the leak is bad should I do the 100k maintenance now?

Thanks again!

Dave

I think you will be REAL happy you bought it! The timing chain replacement is recommended at 100K (usually timing chain and upper tensioners; the ones they can reach without pulling the engine). If you do it earlier it won't hurt. It's just money. About $1,500 - $2,000 if a dealer does it. My dealer measured timing chain stretch in terms of crankshaft revolution. If it's not stretched, they may not recommend replacement, but there's no way to judge the wear on the plastic chain tensioners without opening it up to have a look. Mine was stretched 4 degrees when it was replaced at 103K miles. The dealer said it was a judgement call. Like you, I like PM. Check with your PPI tech for advice, too.

So clean the engine and judge for yourself how bad the leak is. Get an estimate for just doing the gasket repair. If you can live with the leak until you do the timing chain maintenance, the difference in savings would be the cost of added oil and driveway cleaner!

I bought mine with 79K and the PO had replaced/resealed PS pump 3 times. From what I can tell this guy was a fanatic about any leaks. I think the pump leaking is a common problem. I'm close to 100K now and its still holding fine with no problems.

I had the tranny lines replaced when I did the service at 90K. They were weeping a bit. Small bucks.

I'm amazed at how easy and cheap these cars are to maintain. I've done practically nothing in 20K miles besides routine service.
The car is still awesome and continues to amaze me!

Randy
'94 E500

*BIG GRIN*
 

See rollcall!

++db

PPI Cost
 

Hi all,

I wanted to mention that the cost of my PPI at a different dealer than the PO used was $500.

They broke it down as $130 for the 'used vehicle inspection' and $370 for the compression and leakdown test.

I reviewed the MB warranty printout. It seems this car already had the PS pump replaced at 47k and some wiring harness work was also done.

I am thinking of using an independent shop that is close to me (European auto). I know of 2 cars he works on and the owners are pleased with him (a 300E and a 420).

By his own admission, he has never worked on a 500E. IS the car so unique that I should stick with the dealer (about 40 minutes away)?

What about something simple like changing tires. Any reason to have the dealer do THAT?

Thanks,

++db

Is the 420 you mention an E420? There are a lot of similarities between the cars, so I would think that as long as the independent you are considering maintains your trust, he would be worth trying. The engines are nearly identical to the same vintage 500SL (different fuel injection and intake manifold, I think). If the independent is up on his Benzes, takes care of like-vintage V-8 cars, likes your 500E, and knows the unique history of your car, he'll know when he'll have to make allowances for time for your parts and procedures.

I use a small independent tire store (Performance Plus on Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance) for all the wheel and tire work on my car. Read up on this site about some of the special attributes of the wheels and tires for 500E's. Notable - the stock offset of 35mm will keep you out of fender clearance trouble, and the rims should be mounted on a common balance machine cone-to-cone instead of cone-to-flat.