1989 300te - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

montclairmom · #1 03-31-2011, 09:26 PM

Hi, I am looking at buying a 1989 300te wagon with 135,000 miles on it. The mechanic said a few things about it and I would like some opinions if you have them!

The battery died a few months ago, as the left and right rear door courtesy lights were not turning off; he removed the bulbs and now it's fine. The catalytic converter rattles and should be replaced, which he estimated at 500. The transmission shaft linkage bushings and drift shaft front flex couplings should be replaced (250) Finally, the right front window doesn't go down; driver's side is noisy but works.

They want 5,000 but are negotiable. I would just like to hear from someone who actually owns this model and learn of their experience with it. Thank you.

ashedd · #2 03-31-2011, 10:14 PM

$5000? it MUST be a cream puff for that. Your looking more like 2500

ps2cho · #3 03-31-2011, 10:38 PM

With all those repairs, its not worth more than 4k assuming the interior + paint is almost perfect. Anything less than that, its worth no more than 3k.

JohnM. · #4 03-31-2011, 11:26 PM

I agree with the previous posters. Don't pay any more than $2500-3000 if the interior is perfect, and the car is otherwise solid.

If the cat is original, ask for it back (don't accept anything less), and you can sell it to a platinum scrapper for ~$200-250, maybe more since precious metals are skyrocketing. A new "Magnaflow" brand cat is ~$150 and getting it welded in shouldn't be more than $50-60. So with a little extra work, the cat job can be almost free.

Other repairs are relatively minor, but when you are having a mechanic do all your work it can get expensive quickly... especially if they are charging "dealer" price on replacement parts. I would recommend to find a GOOD INDY (independent) shop that has at least 1 mechanic who knows these cars specifically. That is where you will get the most consistent advice and hopefully have a lesser probability of getting ripped off on every repair. You can easily get upside-down in a 20 year old car, with just one repair and a poor mechanic.

lkchris · #5 04-01-2011, 09:09 AM

The door light problem means a new wiring harness for the tailgate.

If you buy a CAT from Mercedes it will likely be $2K.

lee polowczuk · #6 04-01-2011, 09:43 AM

I just looked at a 1989 300te with 138k miles on it.... it had the head off....they said the valve guides were replaced.

It needed motor mounts, a paint job, the front door jamb whistled, and maybe it needed a few more minor cosmetics

I guess I could have had it for about 2500.... I passed.

Probably needed new shocks, too... I don't have a lot of experience with the wagons.... would just like to own one

#7 04-01-2011, 11:56 AM

I would have a pre-purchase inspection on it before you get serious on the purchase. From what you were told was wrong is probably just the tip of the ice-berg. All of the things on it are over 20 years old. Like the heating & cooling the transmission & the electronics. The amount of expense on a yearly basis is going to be large and frustrating. They are not easy to diagnosis with the type of system they have. Even if you are an excellent mechanic I would think twice about it. I would think newer!

montclairmom · #8 04-01-2011, 12:38 PM

I forgot to add that the third row seats had to be dried out due to leaks.

I may pass. Though it drove so nicely.

Ok, how about a 2001 wagon? I was leaning toward older models as they are the last of the 'hand built' or so everyone says on the internet.

duxthe1 · #9 04-01-2011, 01:35 PM

I'm a 15 year MB mechanic and I wouldn't trade my 90 TE for any of the newer ones. A close Mechanic friend also has an 88 TE and absolutely loves it.

JohnM. · #10 04-01-2011, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duxthe1

I'm a 15 year MB mechanic and I wouldn't trade my 90 TE for any of the newer ones. A close Mechanic friend also has an 88 TE and absolutely loves it.

They are great cars (unparalleled) if you do your own work.

aka"thedude" · #11 04-01-2011, 07:38 PM

Its funny that this thread is up just as I got home. I just bought a 88 300te today for $1800 with only 160k on the clock. The body and interior are in very good condition, but I think all of the suspension is original and it really needs rear wheel bearings and all the rubber bushings bad

. lotts of scraping, banging, and whurring noises from out back, and a case of the wiggles, but to get Cali cars body in newengland I thought it was a good deal and it still made the 200 mile journey home from NY.

124126140 · #12 04-01-2011, 07:52 PM

I bought my 88 te with 68k miles in May of 2007 for $2,700. Great car very easy to work on and incredibly well engineered. It gets better with every dollar I spend on parts. You must wrench them yourself or you will go broke. Find a better example or offer less than $2k.

aka"thedude" · #13 04-01-2011, 07:59 PM

yes i second that these cars are very rewarding to own and drive as long as you can fix them your self. My 1990 300d would have totalled its value a few times if I had a shop do the work for me.

babymog · #14 04-01-2011, 08:22 PM

I've had a couple, new and used.

I love the '87 diesel, only year for diesel, and I'm a diesel nut so go figure.

My first one was a new '91 300TE 4matic, every option (over $35k in options IIRC). It was a fantastic car, but I should have saved the $27,000 for the 4matic, as that was what wore my checkbook out after warranty, and my patience during warranty.

I would own a gas one again in a heartbeat (even though I prefer the diesel), they are a great car. As they age, preventative maintenance is important to prevent them becoming a hobby (= constant repairs) and expensive.

Available '88-'95 ('94/'95 being the E320) they are IMO the best wagon in the world (I'm biased).