I have a good friend who is looking at a 92 500E for purchase. It has approx. 67k miles. Pretty good shape.

Questions- The seller has a RO from a dealer stating that the engine has chain stretch. The symptom was a rattle at startup. The dealer stated the cams were 2-3 degrees out.

-Is this common?
-Does this indicate chain tensioner problem?
-Can the cams be adjusted via woodruff key?

Any other suggestions – considerations for a pre-purchase inspection?

Haasman

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

I'd be concerned that it has that much chain stretch with so little mileage. Probably wasn't maintained or has been beat on. I had my car checked at around 92K and it showed no appreciable wear.

__________________
Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

According to Stu Ritter, MB guru, almost ALL premature chain stretch on an M119 is due to lack of of oil changes, which, of course, would indicate poor maintenance.
Avoid car at all cost.

Tom
92 500E

The car in questions is mine. It has been dealer maintained by
by me for the past 3 yrs and was also dealer maintained by the
previous owner. The chain noise occured only time and has not
reoccurred in over a year. I did not have it repaired at the time of inspection because i wanted a second opinion. The second inspection confirmed the repair was not needed.

My car has not been beat on nor neglected. I don't know how or why you guys can be so critical of a car you have not personally inspected. I see this same blind critisim of cars for sale on this site. Does it make you feel better about your cars?

I really like the information on this site, but your uninformed statements on cars condition and pricing piss me off!!

__________________
Doug Kinney

1992 500E
2000 BMW 528IT 5 spd
1998 F150

well i think Tom covered himself when he said almost all :-)

haasman, its up to u to get any car ur interested checked out

good luck to all

reny

I value all opinons from as many perspectives as possible...expecially in regards to used car acquistions (emotionalism aside)

In this case,
>if in fact that the measured chain stretch is reality on this 500e ;
...an incoming new owner would be well advised to take this into consideration and the possible financial downside(s) of this condition

imho- speculation as to how this may have occured may also or may not explain other conditions and characterisics of the vehicle- - after all its used and there will always be items to be addressed to keep it operating to and within factory specs

hopefully we can and will accept all our members different perspectives and opinions in order - - it will be up to the individual to decide whether they be accepted or filtered

best regards
-fad