'88 300CE, 77k - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Kieran1 · #1 02-08-2010, 08:40 PM

1988 300CE
Current Mileage: 77,180
Build Date: 10/87
VIN: WDBEA50D6JA616251
Engine: M103 6 cylinder
White Exterior (w/original Blue Pinstripe)
Blue Leather (coupe) Interior
NJ
$5100.00 SOLD * SOLD * SOLD * 2/19/10 * SOLD *

I am the 3rd Owner.
Previous owner bought it from the widow of the original owner (who was his next door neighbor) in 1999 in Rumson, NJ. The car was purchased brand new by the original owner in December 1987 at Contemporary Motor Cars (Mercedes-Benz) in Little Silver, NJ on 12/16/87.

I purchased this car on 1/19/09 (last year) with the simple intention of using it as a primary driver between NJ and Washington, DC (I work in DC/VA and live in NJ). I wanted to temper the large chunks of mileage on my E55 and since I love the W124, I settled on this one. It was in super clean, rust free (literally), strong running shape. As is typical with my spending traditions on cars – I could not simply patch aging issue that the were apparent on the car (head gasket oil leak, aging shocks, soft brakes…).

Over the past one year, the following has been accomplished by the tremendous professionals (Bob and Mike) at Exclusive Auto Service in Lakewood, NJ:

Feb. 2009: * everything OEM Mercedes-Benz
General Service (all oil, fluids etc.)
M103 Cylinder Head Complete Overhaul (valve seals, valve guides, machining, reseal timing cover, new studs, fittings)
Replaced Engine Crank shaft seal and seal cover on rear of block
Automatic Transmission: replace all external seals (front pump seal etc.) – no leaks
Replace/new Engine Timing Chain
New Radiator, New Hoses, New Alternator, New Seat Switch, New Drive Shaft Flex Disc, New Engine Mounts, New Engine Belt Tensioner Shock, New Themo & Seal, New Larger Fan Blade & Viscous, New Battery, New Fuel Filter, New AT Linkages, Power Steering Service, New Speedometer Cable.
(5) New Cooper CS4 Touring Tires (includes F.S. Spare)
(2) New Bilstein Front Struts - Firm
(2) New Bilstein Rear Shocks – Firm
Four Wheel Alignment
* Started was replaced in mid 2008
Engine and AT are dry, no leaks.

March 2009:
AC Service (R134A), Replace Front Brake Rotors, Pads, Sensors and hoses. Replaced both Wheel Bearing sets.
New Rear Pulling Links
Replaced Drive Shaft Center Bearing and Support

front & rear Brake Rotors: ATE Premium
front & rear Brake Pads: Akebono
Brake Fluid: ATE SL6

April 2009:
Continued brake system improvements: (2) Brand New OEM front right & left Calipers (both replaced, brand new); brand new Master Cylinder,

June 2009:
Oil & Fluid Service; Brand New OEM AC Compressor, Brand New OEM Receiver Drier unit - manifold seal set, purge and refill/test fresh new R134A refrigerant.
AC is as perfect as R134A can possibly be.

July 2009:
Replaced all fuel injectors with brand new OEM components (fuel injector, seals and nozzle holder seals – all)

Driver Seat: Brand New, matching, Leather Seat covers (seat bottom, seat backrest, headrest and armrest) – professionally recovered with Leather from GAHH; looks brand new.

Stereo: Installed a Fully Reconditioned BE-780 (correct vintage unit) Becker Dash Cassette Stereo Unit from Becker AutoSound (with 1 Year Warranty); includes i-Pod jack. This is not a cheap eBay unit, it is direct from Becker in Saddle Brook, NJ.

October 2009:
Oil & Fluid Service – rotate tires

November 2009:
New Hood Pad, New (2) Tie Rods, New Center Link, Full Four Wheel Alignment, New instrument cluster bulbs

December 2009:
Replace Auxiliary Water Pump with Brand New OEM unit.

Other items replaced: Rubber Antenna grommet, truck stops (4), long driver side rubber sealing gasket-seal (the long one that mounts to the upper door frame and seals in the window on a 124 coupe), hood pull tab, wiper, gas cap…

Total Parts (just parts) invested in one year: $10,600.50

Kieran1 · #2 02-08-2010, 08:42 PM

Sorry, long winded, had to split it all.... cont. of above posting:

Includes: Original Tool kit, (3) Original Keys (in MB leather holders, Owners Manual(s), all documents of work history done since I purchased it.

Items Needing Attention: Driver side seat belt extender – it was acting up so I disconnected it, passenger is 100% fine. The cruise control has started acting up although I still have managed to use it on my drives. The front headlight frames could use new, refreshed covers and the grill Insert and chrome strips are original and could be updated.

Body: there is one specific blemish on this car that originated with the original owner; in 1999 his wife backed into a boat in their driveway and made a dent in the right rear top corner (corner above the right rear lens and next to the trunk). He had it repaired and only covered the small area with primer. It was a very cheap fix (clearly by the wife!). The original blue pinstripe is still on the car and the paint is all original, but it fades in areas. The condition of the paint is excellent as it has always been garaged. All of the original window glass remains. There are some small dings and road rash and small (typical) scratches. All of the rubber and seals are in excellent condition.

OVERALL CONDITION OF CAR: Excellent, especially considering it has always lived in NJ (East Coast) and travels multiple times up & down I95. The car is super clean, very smooth and quiet. I can not overstate enough how brilliantly this car drives – it is an outstanding road car – very firm, excellent engine characteristics and comfort. As many people state on this forum about their own cars, I get tons of compliments. It has such great, clean, classic lines. Unless noted above, EVERYTHING works (sunroof etc.). There interior body parts are super clean and rust free. As you can read, the engine and transmission were fully serviced last year and are set for at least 150-200k with regular servicing. The (blue) dash is flawless.

Note: Ever since the day I picked it up, I have always used only one fuel type – BP (Amoco) 93 Octane.

A truly fantastic classic – an excellent deal for someone who wants a W124 coupe and who only wants to deal with super minor cosmetics.

I can show the car in DC/Northern VA area, NJ, Eastern PA – to truly interested buyers.
The car currently has a NJ inspection good till 4/2011.

I have tons of pictures that I can share; please send a PM to me with your Email address and I will send what I have. I am also planning on getting some good underbody shots very soon. I also have a bunch of pictures during the major engine overhaul from last year to include pictures of the M103 head returning from the machine shop.

$5100.00

Kieran1 · #3 02-08-2010, 09:01 PM

A few more of my '88 300CE. . .

Kieran1 · #4 02-08-2010, 09:17 PM

Here are three pics from last February 2009 showing the work underway on the M103 head, timing chain etc.

You can see the newly machined head ready for refitting back to the block.

Excellent car + excellent service = 20 year old Mercedes keeping you happy. . .

JiveTurkey · #5 02-09-2010, 04:36 PM

wow!! I've yet to see a W124 coupe this complete and good looking in a LONG time. Very nice car sir.

Kieran1 · #6 02-09-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiveTurkey

wow!! I've yet to see a W124 coupe this complete and good looking in a LONG time. Very nice car sir.

Thank you for the compliment, the car deserves it!

The CE is a very enjoyable and practical car that has the nice West German build nostalgia while still being contemporary & practical enough to use on weekly business trips to the VA/DC area.

Super easy to clean snow off of as well!

JiveTurkey · #7 02-09-2010, 07:57 PM

I want it because I was born in '88 and it is a modern (for me) interpertation on my 250CE.

andersbenz · #8 02-09-2010, 10:22 PM

Very nice 300CE

joegolden · #9 02-09-2010, 11:35 PM

Now this is how you post a classified ad here.........awesome car!

brucem105 · #10 02-10-2010, 01:07 AM

Ohmygod, someone buy this now. It's a ridiculously good deal for the car and work that was done.

If I didn't just buy a 560SEC today AND put down a deposit for 6 Benzes for purchase next week, I'd snap it up.

GLWS, awesome ad and car.

Bruce

TylerH860 · #11 02-10-2010, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucem105

Ohmygod, someone buy this now. It's a ridiculously good deal for the car and work that was done.

If I didn't just buy a 560SEC today AND put down a deposit for 6 Benzes for purchase next week, I'd snap it up.

GLWS, awesome ad and car.

Bruce

As if I didn't need any more encouragement, it gets the Bruce nod.

Kieran1 · #12 02-10-2010, 10:53 AM

I truly appreciate all of the feedback. I have received a number of PMs about more pictures - coming. I just found the disposable camera that Bob @ Exclusive used to take pics of the Trans and Head Overhaul (in progress) from last year. I am getting that processed + more pics will be taken on Friday while it is up on the lift getting a routine/scheduled oil change and service at Exclusive in Lakewood.

I just drove it last evening before tucking it in for the latest snow fall. This car is really tight.
The posts on "Ol Turbo" have inspired me to invest in my '84 300D and the Bruce posts keep me fixated on the AMGs and 560SECs/SELs.

The car is not posted anywhere else right now & the asking price is firm at this point - but you are getting a great Mercedes-Benz.

s38junkie · #13 02-11-2010, 06:53 AM

PM sent.

Kieran1 · #14 02-12-2010, 12:21 PM

The next series of pictures that I am posting were just taken this morning while the 300CE was on the lift at Exclusive Auto in Lakewood (thank you Bob for the shots....):

- the 300D in the background is the latest one getting some attention...

These are some rear/front underbody shots - the car is in for a routine Oil Change and check-up.

I have more pics with details to post - coming later on....

Kieran-

ohollenbeck · #15 02-12-2010, 07:00 PM

If I didn't already have a CE I would buy this one if it checked out.

I did a check on AutoTrader and there are 31 CE's for sale accross the country 92 and down.. The avg prive for those cars is 5500, and most of them havn't had the needed rebulds done yet.

The CE I picked up also had most things already redone, and at $5000 I am happy that I'll be able to go another 100 to 150K miles without any major repairs..

Your price is correct as long as everything checks out...

It is a tough market right now though....

nice looking CE... & good luck with the sale