What 1989 Gas MB should I seek? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

wordmanjay · #1 11-05-2009, 02:33 AM

I have my '85 300D- I love it.
I'd like to get a car for my son-his birth year-1989.
If he was closer and if he had more experience with a tool set, I'd get him hooked on a diesel.....but......
I'm thinking of getting him started on a solid gas engine MB. I'd like to get something that he'll be able get worked on at most regular places without running into bizarre/costly repairs. (within reason- I know we're talking about MB's here

) He's not completely inept under the hood or with tools, but probably needs to rely on a good mechanic for now. I'd just like to get something that the mechanic will have a fair shot at figuring out even if he's not a MB guy- know what I mean?
Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks.
Jay

Ara T. · #2 11-05-2009, 03:45 AM

300E, W124. That is, if you can't find a W123 280E. With either one make sure the front end has been rebuilt, or you will be looking at dropping an easy grand at a mechanic. Perhaps take it into an alignment shop, they can tell when parts are not in spec anymore, because the car won't take a proper alignment.

If you are worried about repairs though and don't think he will be working on it himself, I would probably get something a little less German and more Japanese. I just can't see taking in a 20 year old luxury car in for repairs when stuff goes wrong (and it will). Just my opinion, I know you didn't ask for it

KarTek · #3 11-05-2009, 05:52 AM

Agreed on the 300E. That or a 190E 2.6 if something smaller and more sporting is desired.

wordmanjay · #4 11-08-2009, 10:22 AM

I know that a Japanese car would make more sense for my scenario. I'd probably go with a Subaru or Mitsubishi...possibly Toyota.....
I just can't stomach the worst case scenario of an accident in a Japanese car. Not enough car IMHO.
Thanks for the cars to look for.
Jay

MTUpower · #5 11-08-2009, 10:36 AM

If your kids is as responsible like the Pope then a 560SL would be great. Not the most practical, but I really loved my 88 560SL. Heavy small car with airbags and great handling. If he is a lead foot then nevermind.

pawoSD · #6 11-08-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

If your kids is as responsible like the Pope then a 560SL would be great. Not the most practical, but I really loved my 88 560SL. Heavy small car with airbags and great handling. If he is a lead foot then nevermind.

A 560SL would be one of the most difficult and expensive to maintain....

The V8's are not very pleasant to work on....and they have expensive needs (timing chain etc...)...and drink gas.

A leisure car....sure....daily driver....not unless one is very wealthy.

I'd say either a 190e 2.3 (4cyl) or a 300E.....both are reliable and pretty easy to work on. The 190e 2.6 is a bit cramped in the small engine compartment, and the 2.3 engine is plenty powerful to move the car quickly.

Jim B. · #7 11-08-2009, 03:26 PM

For an '89 in that situation, I would either go for:

1. 300CE, the handsome coupe. Pre-biodegradeable wiring harness on them, bomb proof in all other ways

2. 300SE/SEL the big sedan with the inline six. Great motor and W126 indestructability, build quality, longevity, easy to work on and undervalued these days. Not great mpg and not too bad accelleration.

Final years of last W126 upgrades on exterior and interior started in 1989...

Safe as helll!

W126 Rolling Crash <---- SEL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwcVEnyxeo8 <----- SE

Also see the 560SEC buyers guide: Same car but with 2 less doors, 2 less cylinders and everything ele the same.

http://www.mbcoupes.com/buyersguide/buyersguide.htm

Written by me in 1998 but not updated since, so prices mentioned are meaningless.

3. 560SEC for more style, trades away slight mpg and rear seat legroom and ease of egess/ingess in rear seat, but more power, and it is flagship 1989 model of Mercedes Benz.

For any of these used Mercedes Benz autos, records, condition, and accident/rust free condition is paramount; otherwise the $2000 "bargain" will, probably need $10,000 worth of repair to become a $4,000 car.

Jim B. · #8 11-08-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ara T.

300E, W124. That is, if you can't find a W123 280E.

Last year of the W123 280E was 1985.

He needs a 1989 car.

pawoSD · #9 11-08-2009, 03:45 PM

Dwelling on one specific year will only make the search WAY harder. Just look for a certain model of car, and try to find the best one you can for the $$ you have. That is how to do it. You could be looking a loooong time if you will "only" buy an '89. Every 300E between 1986 and 1989 look exactly the same, no one would know it was an '89.

Also, IMHO, the 1990-95 E class is nicer than the 1989 and earlier ones. They got several interior and exterior face lifts and improvements. Mine is a 1990, and I love it.

Jim B. · #10 11-08-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Dwelling on one specific year will only make the search WAY harder. Just look for a certain model of car, and try to find the best one you can for the $$ you have. That is how to do it. You could be looking a loooong time if you will "only" buy an '89. Every 300E between 1986 and 1989 look exactly the same, no one would know it was an '89.

Also, IMHO, the 1990-95 E class is nicer than the 1989 and earlier ones. They got several interior and exterior face lifts and improvements. Mine is a 1990, and I love it.

The late W124 models from 1993-1995 were plagued with the very troublesome and costly to repair biodegradeable wiring harnesses, sadly.

All else you've said is very true - but he *WANTS*
ONLY an '89.

Yet: I think, also, if he stepped away from that search paradigm, he has, as you suggest, and *IF* MONEY was no object here, nor the year, and it was a W124, the choice would HAVE to be a '93 -'95 E320 cabrio.

Almost all that are still around are low mileage, cherished cars, quite rare, seldom used as a first car, and very very expensive, the REAL good condition ones can sell for upwards of $40k !!!

Even more rare would be a federalized Euro E220 cabrio with a manual transmission! But probably only a handful are here in the USA.

Second to that would be the high performance Mercedes/Porsche hybrid 500E/E500 from 1992 - 1995.

Upping the hi po ante even further would be the ne plus ultra: An AMG E60, W124. A rare scary 6.0 liter AMG engine stuffed inside a W124. To me that is about as good as it gets.

Quite rare and very expensive IF a good example that is truly authentic, can even be found for sale that is in good condition.

Stomp on the go pedal - and it'll GO !!!

You'd fly past 120 in a jiffy. I got a ride in one once, driven by the owner of AMG West near San Francisco.

Total stealth machine - none better!!!

DslBnz · #11 11-08-2009, 05:53 PM

C'mon!! What is wrong with a well maintained M117 powered Benz? They are awesome machines, very reliable. Granted, you may have to replace chain components every 120K miles, and the idle-control valve system may be quirky at times. That's nothing at all!

I averaged about 19 mpg in my 560SL. Which is very good. A 560 is not a good first car, in some respects: Unless the kid is really passionate about taking care of his vehicle, knows what it is and respects the power under-hood, forget it.

If I had a son who was passionate enough, a 560SEC would be in the works. I'd help him pay for it, and he'd pay me back the sum of the purchase over time.

JimSmith · #12 11-08-2009, 07:23 PM

The W201 and W124 chassis cars in that year are plentiful. He should be able to find one to his liking in relatively short order. They both have the multi-link rear suspension that, by this time, needs new bushings and the like. When those go, the car's handling degrades a great deal. The chassis will steer from the rear wheels according to how hard the throttle is pressed. So, be sure to check out the behavior around a sharp turn with the throttle down.

The in-line 6 in 300E is a work of art. If you get one in good shape it will last a long time. The front cover can leak oil, and there are sometimes some issues with the head gaskets (oil leaking on mine), but the machine is pretty easy to figure out, and there is generally enough room under the hood to work on it. Great engine though.

Good luck, I did that with all my kids, and they know a thing or two about cars now.

Jim

JordaanDMC-12 · #13 11-08-2009, 09:04 PM

300E FTW!!! w124 Chassis sounds like it would be the best choice in my opinion. You could always get a w124 Diesel as well