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  #1  
Old 08-19-2004, 02:16 PM
meltedpanda's Avatar
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central Ky
Posts: 6,265
Red face 1989 300se ?

Found this car and being a real fan of the 126 (I already have an 84 300SD) am considering purchase for daily transport and some weekend projects.
It has 212K but has "recently" had both the tranny and "top end" of the motor rebuilt. All electrical and vacuum processes work, windows and sunroof work, seats work and in good condition.
He is asking $1800 but I think it needs brakes and a new muffler. I know the AC is dead because the compressor is not connected.
What can you all tell me about the realiabilty of this car and year and probable cost of AC fix, I know the compressor is $500, and with the other stuff looking at nearly $2700-3000 to make this car road worthy.
I am going to get it up on racks later today to look at the steering knuckles , flex discs and such...
Am I just in love or does this seem reasonable for this car and miles

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Old 08-19-2004, 02:26 PM
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Location: Phoenix
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I would imagine you'll be able to get it for less. It really helps to be a DIYer when trying to bring a car like that up-to-snuff. But nevertheless that's a good car and a good year - first year of new style leather, that the 124 didn't get until 1990, and still no air pump, that also didn't start until 1990 - I think, I know the E didn't get it until 1990.
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Old 08-19-2004, 06:10 PM
meltedpanda's Avatar
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got the car up on the rack. Underside pretty clean, but has some holes in the muffler on the back side of the last cat converter. Can this last one be bypassed or can these be patched with any success?
Looks expensive to replace. Needs rotors around and parking brake adjust.
Flex discs look good, joints acceptable.
Feel free to chime in , especially about the muffler
Thanks
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  #4  
Old 08-20-2004, 12:10 AM
Mike Murrell's Avatar
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I own one of these cars - last yr. '91 300-sel.

$1800.00 - did I read that right???

What the hell do you expect for $1800.00 ??

My neighbor is selling his kids '91 Honda for $350.00 more. Huh??

You're looking at a car that's been around for 15 somethin' years. What do you expect?

Bottom line - it's gonna take some $$$ to make it better.
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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"
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Old 08-20-2004, 01:16 AM
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Location: Northern Va.
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My 1989 300Se required front brakes. It's easy and simple. Can you live without the A/C for a while? 500 bux for the muflers etc. What does it need that you think will cost $3000?

How's the leather?

I paid $5k for mine and I've put $1500 approx into it so far. It needs a little moe and I've been driving it a lot recently.

I don't think you can go wrong for $1800 unless it's a rust bucket.
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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.
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  #6  
Old 08-20-2004, 01:52 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: oregon
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Great the post function is working for me now.
I have 86 Euro 500 SE that I paid 4K for several years ago the put a couple of thousand in , Absolutly most wonderful car I have ever owned. I like the Se configuration as we rarely have people in back seat and the slightly shorter length of the car suits me. Even if you put 3 or 4 thousand in it where can you get a car that even comes close for that kind of money..............

William Rogers.............
74 240 D
81 SD
81 SD
86 Euro 500 Se
81 2wd k5 Blazer 454 project
89 F150 short bed 4x4
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  #7  
Old 08-20-2004, 09:28 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: KINGSPORT, TN
Posts: 197
300se

Be careful with the 300se/sel. I have an 89 se and know of about 6-7 others that have them and all of the ones I know have an oil consumption problem that no one can seem to fix. Mine has 198k and has had a complete valve job done because the MB mechanic stated it probably needed it with the mileage and the oil consumption. My 89 uses a quart and a half of oil about every 600-800 miles. If you take it on a trip of say 700 miles round trip, you will have to add while on the road about a quart and a half during the trip. I have no black residue on the bumper, have no signs of burning smoke, and no oil leaks. But, it does consume a h*ll of a lot of oil if you drive the car. Now, I do know of a se/sel here and there that only uses about a quart every 1500-2000 which is not that bad for the age and mileage. I have written MB North America and the only thing they can tell me is the manager here in the states and the factory tech in Germany agree that a quart and a half every 600 miles is within specs. Yea, right! Your car may not have any problems and may never develope this problem, but I think the odds of it not consuming oil like I have described is against you. I love my se, but as long as you don't mind the aggrevation and the dummy light is working correctly to notify you on a trip when the oil gets low, then you are ok. Otherwise, I would try to find a v8. I have a v8 with 129k and it probably does not use a quarter of a quart every 3-4k miles. I ran into a guy at a MB shop once picking up a car and after telling him my story, he said he had a friend that had one with about 200k that had the exact problem. He kept complaining to MB and finally got them to admit that between 150k and 200k there was a tendency for the piston arms to bend slightly and cause this oil consumption problem. They agreed to sell him a new motor at cost, which from what I gathered was many thousand $$$$ and immediately fixed the problem. So, I am not saying don't buy your car, but be careful and ask about oil consumption and if it was possible, take it on the highway for a great distance and check the oil. Back to my trying to fix my problem. I gave up. I spent a load of money on the valve job to resolve absolutely nothing and now just live with the problem. When I travel, I use the 420sel.

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