300TE purchase advice - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BENZ-LGB · #46 04-22-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinwrock

I am still very much impresses by the looks of my almost 20 year old wagon. She still looks very much modern. If I still have her by the time that I decide to start my own family, my kids will drive her. I know the engine will make it another coupla-hundred miles, but will the interior be able to withstand that much wear?? - - I don't know, but I am going to find out.

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND! (miles that is)

If the engine and the drive train survive, then the interior should be no problem.

You can always come to California and drive teh car across the border to Tijuana, where they do a mean tuck and roll interior for next to nothing.

Can you imagine a Benz interior with tuck and roll upholstery?

Merkey · #47 04-22-2006, 02:27 PM

We have a winner!
Owner emailed me to say it passed smog just fine!
If all goes to plan I will post pics when she is on the drive!

BENZ-LGB · #48 04-22-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merkey

We have a winner!
Owner emailed me to say it passed smog just fine!
If all goes to plan I will post pics when she is on the drive!

Let me be the first to congratulate you (and your son) and welcome you both to the brotherhood of the Benz.

There are some initiation rites involved, but we'll discuss those later...

suginami · #49 04-22-2006, 04:54 PM

Congratulations!

If my former 1993 300E (3.2), "E320", was a wagon, I would've kept it.

Wagons are just so coooool. Plus, they have utility, which makes them perfect for trips to Home Depot and picking up shrubs and flowers at the local nursery.

And if equipped with the rear facing child seat, they have more people carrying capacity than a Tahoe or a Trailblazer.

BENZ-LGB · #50 04-22-2006, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

Congratulations!

If my former 1993 300E (3.2), "E320", was a wagon, I would've kept it.

Wagons are just so coooool. Plus, they have utility, which makes them perfect for trips to Home Depot and picking up shrubs and flowers at the local nursery.

And if equipped with the rear facing child seat, they have more people carrying capacity than a Tahoe or a Trailblazer.

Nice of you to chime in Paul.

I love the 300TE but our YUKON XL is quite the hauler and it is very comfy out on the open road.

iwrock · #51 04-23-2006, 12:09 AM

I have the third row seats in my wagon, and it is one of the most versatile cars ever. And after all of the work I have done, it is an awesine driving machine.

Congrats on the new wagon. It will bring you many fun roadtrips.

BENZ-LGB · #52 04-23-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinwrock

I have the third row seats in my wagon, and it is one of the most versatile cars ever. And after all of the work I have done, it is an awesine driving machine.

Congrats on the new wagon. It will bring you many fun roadtrips.

Justin, I think that the wagons should have their own separate thread, don't you agree?

Or maybe we should start a "Wagons pictures" thread.

With the front passenger seat reclined all the way down (remove headrest first) and the cargo area configured just right, you can even carry the proverbial 10 foot pole in the wagon.

Now that I have finally had the rear gas accumulatorts fixed, the ride is oh so sweet, even with a full load.

Merkey may not let his kid drive the wagon...he may just keep it all for himself.

Merkey · #53 04-23-2006, 01:07 PM

Funny you should say that LGB...
I was looking for one a few years ago... got distracted and bought a Jeep.
Had a BMW 328 Touring when I lived in europe (I am a Brit) and loved it.
Love that look... long, low and purposeful.
I started this quest by accident this time.. a buddy at work saw this car and it fired my interest again.
The car is kinda cool in my eyes and my sons.
Big, not fast, Airbag, ABS, and a lot of "Meat" to protect the boy!
I felt that I have the mechanical aptitude to find and fix the problems.

But, I already told him I reserve the right to keep it when he can afford his own style!

BENZ-LGB · #54 04-23-2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merkey

Funny you should say that LGB...
I was looking for one a few years ago... got distracted and bought a Jeep.
Had a BMW 328 Touring when I lived in europe (I am a Brit) and loved it.
Love that look... long, low and purposeful.
I started this quest by accident this time.. a buddy at work saw this car and it fired my interest again.
The car is kinda cool in my eyes and my sons.
Big, not fast, Airbag, ABS, and a lot of "Meat" to protect the boy!
I felt that I have the mechanical aptitude to find and fix the problems.

But, I already told him I reserve the right to keep it when he can afford his own style!

I thought you were a Brit...especially when you wrote "wiring loom." I read Mercedes Enthusiast (a Brit mag) and I have become familiar with their style of writing. It is really interesting to see how they ("you guys") can turn a phrase. What I especially like is how polite it all sounds, even when insults are being traded. Now, that's real talent.

Merkey, here is a story that you may appreciate, especially because you have just gone through the ritual of looking for a used car for your kid.

When we were looking for a first car for our oldest daughter she was adamant that she wanted a wagon (Benz or Volvo) and she wanted it in that funky "light ivory-French vanilla" color. (Volvo has its own version of the "light ivory" color.)

We looked high and low and found nothing that was suitable. We must have looked at at least 10 different cars. But none fit the bill.

One day we drove by this house and saw "her" car sitting on the driveway. The car, however was not for sale and I was not about to disturb the homeowners. My daughter said "I want THAT car." I told her it was not for sale and we needed to look elsewhere. She just looked at me and said, "I'll get that car." "Sure, sure" I replied.

Fast forward a couple of months. We are still searching for a car for my daughter. I read every ad and I must have made calls to 20 or 30 different people, but nothing. Everything that we looked at was either overpriced, a mess, or both.

I was getting pretty bummed out. But my daughter was very optimistic that she would get "her" car. One day I was looking through the Auto Trader and I saw an ad for a 300TE. I called the number and I started talking to the woman who was selling it.

One thing led to the other and I find out that the owner was the daughter of one of my daughter's former elementary school teachers. So now I am pretty excited about perhaps buying a car from someone we know and can trust.

But that was not the end of the story. The owner gave me her address and my daughter and I jumped in my car and drove off to see the 300TE. And guess what?

As we get to the address, it turned out that the 300TE for sale was exactly the same one that my daughter had seen a couple of months earlier!!!

As we pulled into the driveway my daughter smiled and said to me "See Dad, I told you this was going to be my car!!!"

A few years later, when we bought her the C320 Sports Wagon I was going to sell "Alice." My wife, however, would not let me sell it. She said there was too much history attached to that car.

I am glad I listened to her...the 300TE is a great "little" wagon. In a couple of years my son will get it. When he is ready to get something else, I will get Alice back....Maybe one of my grandkids (when I get them) will get to drive it.

Merkey, your son is fortunate that he has you for a dad. TYou obviously care enough to buy him a good, safe relaible car. Yes, it is not a brand new, hot-rod Mustang, but he will be safe and sound driving it.

Have you let him see this thread? I think you should.

cmac2012 · #55 04-23-2006, 01:56 PM

Brits spell judgment "judgement," so you have to be careful with that, you can get led astray.

Just trying to help.

Merkey · #56 05-12-2006, 11:19 PM

Update:
Well, my boy is ready, has his money in his pocket... we have the flatbed... and will go and get it this weekend after another look!
I will post some pics soon!

Jim B. · #57 05-13-2006, 01:57 AM

I love this story....

It sounds like a TEXTBOOK example of how to seek out and purchase a car, with lots of questions here, and unhurriedly (buy in haste, repent in leisure), and waiting on the smog - that IS the seller's responsibility!!

Those are excellent cars, the W124s, some people say, the best modern Mercedes made, damn near bulletproof....

I'm especially pleased to hear your daughter likes it, females tend to be particular about the "color" of their car much more than guys

Agree with LGB about what's been said about Mr. MB in Tarzana, I have never heard such overwhelming praise about one shop. He's GOT to be good, the folks here do NOT suffer fools and boors gladly. It seems to be worth the trip. If you absolutely refuse to try them, you could try Prestige Imports in Santa Ana off the 55, ( one PO of my car used them, and I tried them on a Disneyland visit and liked them too Wayne Bernard/Jerry Garcia, (714)542-9250, 1446 So. Richey

When LGB said HE'D buy the car if you didn't, that should have tipped you over the top to decide. He knows what he is talking about...

(I also enjoy the British turn of phrase, read Top Gear, CAR, What? Car, and other pubs. when I can get my hands on them. Lots of great mag. sellers on ebay.uk for that. Hard to find Penguin books, etc here, but will gladly read anything by Clarkson, Jonathan Raban etc that I can get.)

We would enjoy the pictures of it

Merkey · #58 05-13-2006, 12:50 PM

Thanks Jim, LGB and everyone else who has been so helpful here!
The delay in purchase was as much as a function of him obtaining the $ as it was of thoughtful process.
The car was looked at by a college first who's daughter needed a car, but she didnt like the "wagon look"!
He was frustrated by that but told me about it, because it looked like a good car that needed some TLC.
Just what a a 17 year old needs, plus a father with a few skills...to teach him what to do on his own car... a perfect way for him to learn basic maintanence/repair the skills needed to own a car on a budget. The way I learned was similar... the "I break it I gotta fix it" thought process, teaches mechanical sympathy and understanding....and also sounds like fun to me.

I have to share with you people a little gemstone....
My son asked me how you increase the performance of an engine the other day...
Well, he is a computer kid, always tuning, boosting performance etc...

How do you make a computer run faster I asked?
Go into the Bios and raise the clock multiplier and voltage to the processor, and add as much RAM as you can, he said.
Ok, engines are the sameas processors, but substitute fuel for electricity, I said.
Then I asked, but what happens with the processor when you do that?
It will overheat, so you put a better fan on it, he said.
Same with car engines.... the harder they work, the more fuel you add, the more air flow and cooling you need!
Cool, he said!
Then I asked him a real gem.
OK, if the processor and system is maxed out, but you still want more performace, how do you get it?

Mmmm, he said and thought for a minute...
"Run the fastest processor, the most hi speed ram, increase the clock and voltage, add fans, then I would reduce the number of background unwanted programs running, remove any hardware that I used rarely... run one 10,000rpm hard drive..... but the more you do that, the less practical it becomes for everyday use..."
Hey!, he said thoughtfully, at the end "Thats what sports cars are, isnt it"
Stripped down slippery bodies, big engines, and designed for going fast!

I learned something too!
Just thought you guys would smile at that one!

iwrock · #59 05-13-2006, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merkey

Thanks Jim, LGB and everyone else who has been so helpful here!
The delay in purchase was as much as a function of him obtaining the $ as it was of thoughtful process.
The car was looked at by a college first who's daughter needed a car, but she didnt like the "wagon look"!
He was frustrated by that but told me about it, because it looked like a good car that needed some TLC.
Just what a a 17 year old needs, plus a father with a few skills...to teach him what to do on his own car... a perfect way for him to learn basic maintanence/repair the skills needed to own a car on a budget. The way I learned was similar... the "I break it I gotta fix it" thought process, teaches mechanical sympathy and understanding....and also sounds like fun to me.

I have to share with you people a little gemstone....
My son asked me how you increase the performance of an engine the other day...
Well, he is a computer kid, always tuning, boosting performance etc...

How do you make a computer run faster I asked?
Go into the Bios and raise the clock multiplier and voltage to the processor, and add as much RAM as you can, he said.
Ok, engines are the sameas processors, but substitute fuel for electricity, I said.
Then I asked, but what happens with the processor when you do that?
It will overheat, so you put a better fan on it, he said.
Same with car engines.... the harder they work, the more fuel you add, the more air flow and cooling you need!
Cool, he said!
Then I asked him a real gem.
OK, if the processor and system is maxed out, but you still want more performace, how do you get it?

Mmmm, he said and thought for a minute...
"Run the fastest processor, the most hi speed ram, increase the clock and voltage, add fans, then I would reduce the number of background unwanted programs running, remove any hardware that I used rarely... run one 10,000rpm hard drive..... but the more you do that, the less practical it becomes for everyday use..."
Hey!, he said thoughtfully, at the end "Thats what sports cars are, isnt it"
Stripped down slippery bodies, big engines, and designed for going fast!

I learned something too!
Just thought you guys would smile at that one!

Holy Crap!!! Your son has the same interests as I do!

Automobiles and Computers!

Although, a 1988 300TE doesnt have much of an aftermarket performance following, as say a honda, there is still stuff out there to get more power. For instance, they have the mosselman twin turbo kit, and nitrous systems. But for me, being my daily driver, she is an excellent workhorse. I try to do most of the work myself, so it saves me money. My dad has been a long time Mercedes owner, from when his dad had a 220S. From that moment forward, it has been nothing but the 3 pointed star...

I trust my cars with their main guts in their stock form. I like having a wagon that handles good, especially for its size. But smart mone tells me to stay away from performance enhancers such as turbos and nitrous. I have cars that satisfy those urges. So anyways tell your son he is going to be a Benz nut!!!

And if your ever in my neck of the woods, he can come check out my computer!!! Nuthin says power like AMD 64x2, 2 gigs of memory, SLi, 4x WD raptor 10k in raid 0, and importantly an overclock that will make you shat your pants! O, and its watercooled too.

BENZ-LGB · #60 05-13-2006, 03:37 PM

Merkey:

There are "teaching moments" like this in everyday life. It is a wise parent who ca n identify the moment and use it to get closer to his kids.

A couple of summers ago my son and I drove together to Santa Fe, NM to drop off his sister at college. On the way back we went hiking at Bandalier Park, we also stopped off at Williams, AZ, and took the steam train to the Grand Canyon. We lso got off I-40 and took Route 66 whenever we could (yes, we stood in a corner in Winslow AZ, but there wasno girl in a flatbed Ford slowing down to take a look at us). The entire trip was one teaching moment. To this day my son still talks about that trip.

You and your son are lucky...the moments you spend working in and on the 300TE will become one long bond between the two of you.

Incidentally, I am now in Santa Fe loading up my daughter's stuff to take her back home for the summer. In the parking lot there was a guy loading a green 1990 300TE. He had the rear liftgate propped up with a piece of wood. (I recently replaced the gas lifters, it is a PITA job, but I no longer have to either propthe liftgate or worry about getting decapitated by it).

I went over and we started talking cars and especially about the 300TE. He loves his 300TE. I told him about this site. I hope he shows up!

Merkey, good luck and hope to see pics real soon.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode