Lookin for my first car. Want a 300e or 190e. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tfernandez · #1 10-09-2009, 03:16 AM

I am pretty new to the wonderful world of Mercedes Benz and am extremely excited to purchase my first (def. not my last) Mercedes. I've been looking for 300E's, 190E's, and anything else I can find. Only problem is that it is difficult to find a car close to my area within my price range that is worth it. I've only got 2k for a max spending price, located in Orlando, FL, and do not want anything past 1992. If anyone knows of something that might fit what I'm looking for it would be a great help. Been searching a little over a month now and it has proven very difficult. Thank you. ---UPDATE--- have reconsidered my options and would highly welcome a 240D

brucem105 · #2 10-09-2009, 12:39 PM

It's hard to imagine you'll get something for $2K that won't be a money pit, or force you to live with signifcant issues (leaks, warm A/C) if you do not have a budget for repairs.

I guess if you do not mind a high mile (150K+) car that's been maintained, or a mechanically sound car that needs cosmetics, you can find something.

I bought a sweet little 300E with 105K miles in great original shape, with cold A/C, great engine/trans, records, etc for $2500 at the auction. And to make it right, I still needed to put $2K into it.

TylerH860 · #3 10-09-2009, 01:26 PM

You will hate just about any 2 grand Mercedes W124/W201 as your first car unless you promptly want to double or triple the price with repairs or get really hands on. There are plenty of old Mercedes diesels, W123s specifically, that you can get a decent example of in your price range.

pawoSD · #4 10-09-2009, 01:32 PM

I must have done pretty well then, I bought my 300E for 3k or so.....and have put only around 1.2k into it in the entire year since I bought it. It still has some stuff it "needs" but its not "critical" yet. (struts/tie rods)

TylerH860 · #5 10-09-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I must have done pretty well then, I bought my 300E for 3k or so.....and have put only around 1.2k into it in the entire year since I bought it. It still has some stuff it "needs" but its not "critical" yet. (struts/tie rods)

You have been able to do all the work yourself though. It would have easily cost double or triple to sort it out as well as you did. I don't trust myself to do front suspension work, or valve seals, and am probably too inept to figure out the starting issues as easliy as you. You're at a much higher diy level than me, and I'm at a much higher diy level than the vast majority of the population.

E150GT · #6 10-09-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I must have done pretty well then, I bought my 300E for 3k or so.....and have put only around 1.2k into it in the entire year since I bought it. It still has some stuff it "needs" but its not "critical" yet. (struts/tie rods)

Better knock on zebrano wood! I didnt spend squat the first year I owned my car.

pawoSD · #7 10-09-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E150GT

Better knock on zebrano wood! I didnt spend squat the first year I owned my car.

Yeah well....

I am also quite excessive with keeping them perfect....

Spending squat caused you to end up in a Mazda though. And now you have a car payment.

pawoSD · #8 10-09-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

You have been able to do all the work yourself though. It would have easily cost double or triple to sort it out as well as you did. I don't trust myself to do front suspension work, or valve seals, and am probably too inept to figure out the starting issues as easliy as you. You're at a much higher diy level than me, and I'm at a much higher diy level than the vast majority of the population.

I agree it does save a ton to DIY....I only had one thing done at the dealer this year, which was the valve stem seals. Since I did not have an air compressor and the special tools, I figured it'd be cheaper (this time) to just have it done rather than go shopping for tons of tools. I lucked out with a 10% off the final bill deal my stealer was running too....so the whole job (valve stem seals, spark plugs, a hose replacement) ended up at $462....pricey, but it made a night and day difference in the car's operation. It went from a quart of oil every 400-500 miles and fouled plugs....to 1/3 of a quart over the past 2,500 miles....and nice clean spark plugs.

The old stem seals may as well been made of steel, as they were that hard!

tfernandez · #9 10-09-2009, 07:44 PM

I was planning on doing almost everything DIY. I also dont mind cosmetic problems. I originally wanted a 5 cyl. diesel, but I have seen little none of them when I search. I checked out a 190e today. Guy wouldn't break on 1500 when the car is only worth 1300. would have been nice if i could have gotten it, but o well.

brucem105 · #10 10-09-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfernandez

I was planning on doing almost everything DIY. I also dont mind cosmetic problems. I originally wanted a 5 cyl. diesel, but I have seen little none of them when I search. I checked out a 190e today. Guy wouldn't break on 1500 when the car is only worth 1300. would have been nice if i could have gotten it, but o well.

I don't know how you determine pricing that precisely. He wanted $1500 but the car was worth $1300? How do you figure that one out?

And you'd let a car that's otherwise a fit go for $200? Does not make sense to me.

Bruce

tfernandez · #11 10-10-2009, 01:05 AM

[QUOTE
And you'd let a car that's otherwise a fit go for $200? Does not make sense to me.

Bruce[/QUOTE]

it needed a new alternator, both back windows didn't work, sun roof didn't work, was missing a side panel, drivers side door lock didn't work, small amount of rust on the bottom of the frame. so 1500 for a 190e with 193000 mile, in that condition, is not worth it in the end of the day. It came down to the guy wanting to break even for the minimal money he put into it. I don't see why I should pay 200 more then what a cars worth just because it's there. And I figured the price by checking what a perfect condition subtracting the costs it would take to make it in perfect working order without a re-paint. Plus I called my future mechanic, told him what was wrong and he agreed with me exactly on the price.

DieselClan · #12 10-11-2009, 12:10 AM

Interested in a manual trans car? Found this:

1981 Mercedes Benz; Diesel; 4 speed; exc. running car; (white) saddle interior; low mileage. Asking $1000 neg.

Let me know and I can send you a phone number It's in North Central Florida

Sev · #13 10-11-2009, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

You will hate just about any 2 grand Mercedes W124/W201 as your first car unless you promptly want to double or triple the price with repairs or get really hands on. There are plenty of old Mercedes diesels, W123s specifically, that you can get a decent example of in your price range.

i think i disagree with this. you can buy a better condition 190e 2.3, even late model, with less problems to be had, than an older w123. plus it's a better car on top of that

TylerH860 · #14 10-11-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

i think i disagree with this. you can buy a better condition 190e 2.3, even late model, with less problems to be had, than an older w123. plus it's a better car on top of that

Why would you make such a ridiculous declarative statement like that when both sides of W123 vs W201 could be argued so well? After driving a well sorted W201 and well sorted W123, and prefer the W123 by a mile. Its a matter of personal preference. If you can find him a well sorted 190e 2.3 for under 2 grand, he should be all over it.

How many 200k+ W201s do you see vs W123s? At his 2 grand price point, its highly unlikely that he will find a nice looking sorted vehicle, but a W123 is proven to have a much more rugged drive train and is capable of surviving under extreme mileage and abuse.

tfernandez · #15 10-11-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Why would you make such a ridiculous declarative statement like that when both sides of W123 vs W201 could be argued so well? After driving a well sorted W201 and well sorted W123, and prefer the W123 by a mile. Its a matter of personal preference. If you can find him a well sorted 190e 2.3 for under 2 grand, he should be all over it.

How many 200k+ W201s do you see vs W123s? At his 2 grand price point, its highly unlikely that he will find a nice looking sorted vehicle, but a W123 is proven to have a much more rugged drive train and is capable of surviving under extreme mileage and abuse.

I would prefer having a w123 240d actually. Maintenance and part costs are cheaper, gets great mileage, insurance costs are lower for me, and the ones I have found have been cheaper then all the w124 and w201's I've seen. I don't even mind that it only gets about 60 horse power since it will keep me from speeding.