Should I buy a 300CE? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

trueog · #16 06-08-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcpc

I'm looking at buying a 1990 300CE with 55K miles. The price is at retail, the car looks terrific inside and out. The downside is that it is abysmally slow from a standing start and almost dangerous with the air conditioning on. I've heard they are slow, but are they that bad or is there something wrong with the car. It is excellent in all other respects.

I'd rather get a 94 and new C-Class for the same price...

jeff (moose) · #17 06-08-2006, 09:25 PM

At the price he was looking at for the CE. I would consider it equal to winning the lottery to get a new C class and a 94(who cares what the 94 is). I'll take 3 pairs!

Get me a 94 mercedes 500, or a CE( see below) and a new C class for how much? Yeah 6!
Make mine a "C" sport, maybe a Renntech,or a 500E, and I want the CE Sportline or a German Renntech. Nice CE's Mine rocked, 5 speed, and a 3.4lt? 6cyl. I wish I could find a good one. I think they are rare birds.

Just kidding about the CE, Make 'em a 500E and a C-AMG. Do we have a deal!

Just kidding and just having a little fun!

Make the 500 Green? Please?

autozen · #18 06-09-2006, 11:44 AM

smpcp,
If you are syill undecided, I still highly recommend a 300CE from late 80s to early 90s. You have already said you like the style, and believe me the purchase price of a newer car isn't the final cost. Maintenance and repairs can kill ya. Someone suggested you can buy a newer C class for the same money. I wouldn't recommend it for two reasons. First of all you would be stepping down from the E class. The C classes have been marketed for Joe Lunchbucket and aren't the same. MB has filled them witl all kinds of bells and whistles to compete with the Japanese, but they are still not Mercedes in my opinion. Secondly if a window craps out in one of the cars I suggest, you repair that window. If the windows crap out in a newer car you will have to diagnose a Control Area Network bus, replace an expensive module, and probably have the dealer reprogram the network to accept the new module. For my money I'm sticking with the earlier MBs until I'm forced to move up. I'm still driving 126s and 124s because they serve my purpose. I'm putting off moving into the 210s and 140s as long as I can, and I've been a factory trained MB mechanic for 30 years. I have a full blown hobby shop with hoist, R-12 machine, R-134 machine, rim clamp tire machine, wheel balancer, Mitchell On Demand, scanners, and a full library of factory manuals to year 2000. Good luck in your search.

89-300ce · #19 06-09-2006, 12:15 PM

I'm very happy with my ce. I smile every time I see it. If I love the looks after 18 years I probably always will. Most new cars that catch my eye I like for a few years and then "meh". My m103 is no drag racer but then neither am I. I've heard it described as "a gentlemans personal car" and that suits me fine. Leisurely acceleration with a smooth glide and some serious top end should I actualy need to get somewhere fast, as opposed to squeeling tires at a red light like an 18 year old.

Jorg

autozen · #20 06-09-2006, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89-300ce

I'm very happy with my ce. I smile every time I see it. If I love the looks after 18 years I probably always will. Most new cars that catch my eye I like for a few years and then "meh". My m103 is no drag racer but then neither am I. I've heard it described as "a gentlemans personal car" and that suits me fine. Leisurely acceleration with a smooth glide and some serious top end should I actualy need to get somewhere fast, as opposed to squeeling tires at a red light like an 18 year old.

Jorg

When you talk about catching your eye for a few years, the new Thunderbird comes to mind.

89-300ce · #21 06-09-2006, 02:12 PM

A lot of Ford and Chrysler cars come to mind. Aggressive styling that gets old fast. I'm ready to put Nissan and Infinity into that group as well. Designs that catch my eye but don't age well.

Jorg

Gerard · #22 06-10-2006, 07:35 AM

Hi smpcp,

I bought my 91 300CE two and a half years ago. I gave it a good look before buying it. I think its most important to check the bodywork and underneath. Engines/gearboxes can be fixed and repaired. Also check all the little annoying things, like elec windows, sun roof and interior trim details. These are frustrating to fix and repair.
When I bought mine, I figured the head gasket may be gone as it has a reputation on these engines so I asked myself if I was I prepared to fix it. I also asked myself about the gearbox and had I got the shillings just incase it gave up. Turns out the gasket went (was gone at time of purchase) and I replaced it mayself 6 months later. The gearbox is still going strong.
However the car had no rust, and apart from a minor few body repairs was in good nick. (I think a tatty body always looks like crap).

Its a really nice car, I havent tired of the look, and the car does have lasting character. Maintenance is fairly predictable. I have the car in good mechanical condition now, and know it well. Fingers crossed none of the electronic modules give up on me.

If you dont know much about cars, get someone who does to check it out, take it for a good test drive. But if you do go for the car, have a "reserve" ready in case of mechanical trouble.
All the best
Gerard

Jim B. · #23 06-10-2006, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autozen

smpcp,
If you are syill undecided, I still highly recommend a 300CE from late 80s to early 90s. You have already said you like the style, and believe me the purchase price of a newer car isn't the final cost. Maintenance and repairs can kill ya. Someone suggested you can buy a newer C class for the same money. I wouldn't recommend it for two reasons. First of all you would be stepping down from the E class. The C classes have been marketed for Joe Lunchbucket and aren't the same. MB has filled them witl all kinds of bells and whistles to compete with the Japanese, but they are still not Mercedes in my opinion. Secondly if a window craps out in one of the cars I suggest, you repair that window. If the windows crap out in a newer car you will have to diagnose a Control Area Network bus, replace an expensive module, and probably have the dealer reprogram the network to accept the new module. For my money I'm sticking with the earlier MBs until I'm forced to move up. I'm still driving 126s and 124s because they serve my purpose. I'm putting off moving into the 210s and 140s as long as I can, and I've been a factory trained MB mechanic for 30 years. I have a full blown hobby shop with hoist, R-12 machine, R-134 machine, rim clamp tire machine, wheel balancer, Mitchell On Demand, scanners, and a full library of factory manuals to year 2000. Good luck in your search.

Hear, hear. The above is advice you'd be well to heed. Especially considering the source, a 30 year factory trained MB mechanic!

I would add, all other things being equal, get the Sportline CE if you can find a good one, you will appreciate the suspension and interior upgrades you get with that package!! Steve Nervig at www.mbcoupes,com is on the mbcoupes forum for the SEC and has one of them, a CE sportline that is and he has become quite an authority on them. I believe he has maintenance CDs for them also...perhaps you could hook up. He and his wife Peggy are wonderful people, both committed to the CE and a good source of more information for you

autozen · #24 06-10-2006, 07:57 PM

This is beginning to look like a 124 coupe forum.

joebnz · #25 06-18-2006, 03:07 PM

Being a former owner of a '90 300CE, I did a fair amount of searching to improve engine temp and performance. Go to this site: http://pages.prodigy.net/jforgione/MB_CTS.html to read about lowering engine temp which keeps the timing from being retarded so much. I was tired of the anchor my car seemed to be dragging when the engine temp approached 100C.

You can also play with a resistor (which on my 300CE was located on the drivers side wheel well) as described at the following post: READ!!! Free HP for W201 & W124 owners! (Pictures!)
I once read that available in Europe was a dash mounted switch that would allow you to change this resistance on the go.

I currently have a '92 500SL. This car is great but designed to run fast. The 300CE was a super commuter as performance from 60 to 90 mph was awesome. The VVT advances at 3000 rpm which is approx. 60 mph. Oregon has a new law which gives you a free ride to jail if clocked over 100 mph. I'm currenly trying to connect with a '93 300CE Sportline to replace the 500SL.

lee polowczuk · #26 06-18-2006, 09:21 PM

i love my CE.... people think its a special car.... they don't even begin to think it is 17 years old...and I don't tell them.

i want to keep this around forever....

BENZ-LGB · #27 06-18-2006, 09:50 PM

The JUne ediiton of Mercedes Enthusiast contains a survey of the "People's Choice" benzes for the 1960s'. 70s', 80s', 90s' and the 00s.

For every decade, except the 80s', the top choice Benz were the SL (W113, W107, W129, etc.).

Guess which is the only non-SL Benz to come on top?

The W124 300CE. It was the top choice for the Benzes built in the 1980s.

I own a 1989 300TE. It is my daily driver. It is no pocket rocket, but it is not a pig off the line either.

All the advice here, about getting a PPI, is sound. The asking price, $5,500 seems low for that car (unless the seller has no clue what he is selling).

t walgamuth · #28 06-18-2006, 10:52 PM

i think they are one of the handsomest benz bodies.

tom w

deanyel · #29 06-18-2006, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

All the advice here, about getting a PPI, is sound.

I've come to think PPIs are a catch 22 - if you feel the need to have one, you shouldn't be buying the car.

jchowe420 · #30 06-19-2006, 03:29 AM

I test drove a 300TE, a 300CE-24 and E320 (COUPE).
None of them are SLOW!!!

the 300TE is in very good condition. Fast unless u are close to redline compare with 24 and M104.
the 300CE-24 is not that fast at low end but crazy at high end!

The M104 320 is just like other regular M104

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