90-92 300E: What are people paying for these?

[Ron in SC]

My buddy is looking for one of these for his kid, with I eye toward me fixing anything that needs fixing. I have two 124s now and already fixed up a 1990 300D 2.5 turbo for his mother.

I've been watching ebay and these cars do not seem to be making reserve, with the bidding stopping around $2500-$3800. He had me do a PPI on a 1992 300E in Columbia, SC we found on ebay. Cosmetically the car was great. But I got a hit on my electronic snifffer when I inserted it up one of the evaporator drain holes. The car had R12 and showed bubbles in the reciever/dryer. The center vent temp was only 74 with and ambient of 87 F. So that car may need an evap.

The worst thing I found was oil leaking badly between the head and the block and plenty of oil in the coolant tank, too.

This car was represented as pristine with either ice cold or freezing A/C, I forget which.

The really bad part of this is the bidding got to $3800, luckily the reserve which the guy had set at $4500 was not met. I felt like alerting the high bidder not to make any kind of deal on the car. I did not do that since I felt like it was none of my business and besides he might have been a schill bidder for all I know.

So bottom line has anyone bought one of these lately who will let me know what they paid? If so please respond here or send me a PM if you prefer.

[Two560Two]

It really depends on the overall condition and maintenece history of the car. Engine oil leaks are common on that engine espcially by the timing cover and such. Oil leaking on the car you checked out could of needed a HG sooner ot later. I would not of bought that car even if I got a great deal on it, good you didt buy it. My cousin found a mint, 91 300e with 45k miles for $6000. Might seem a little high in price but i have seen the car driven it and its worth the money. you could prob get a very clean one with more mileage for around 3-4k. If your friend isnt in a ruch then tell him to take his time becuase the price can vary alot.

[lee polowczuk]

Ron--- i'll tell you my stories...

4000 for the 1989 300E .... owner provided $3200 in mechanic receipts for a complete a/c redo...down to the hoses... the owner also claimed it had the tranny rebuilt and a new head gasket.. he couldn't provide receipts.. his mechanic confirmed this, but couldn't provide receipts. The story is is that it was a dealers car...and when he couldn't pay to have the head gasket replaced..it was held by the shop..it had 147k when i bought it... i have slowly replaced various rubber components. it was worth every nickel...the only thing that has gone wrong in the last two years is the rear view mirror broke...another member sold me one for 25 dollars. It could use a paint job...it came with nice tint, clk wheels and a nice sound system.. it now has 164k i think... burns less than a quart at 3k. This car seems like a bargain

it's my son's. bought in Miami

i paid 4800 for my 1989 300CE a year and a half ago... it had 122k at the time. it is a sweet ride. I did lose the compressor earlier this spring...and have replaced it along with the drier and expansion valve.. i also replaced the voltage regulator. Various rubber as time permits. I think i will need a fan bearing soon... i have ordered the part. My wife drives this mostly during the week... it now has 142k. We plan to keep this car forever..whatever that means. It does need valve stem seals... and i am likely to rent your tools... i know we have tried to hook up...but it just doesn't work out.

Bought in Nashville

i also paid 3500 for a 300e a few years ago..it was owned by the grandson of the previous owner...it had 110k... it was a nice car ....it got me hooked on the 124's... i got into an with it..and don't carry collision on my cars.. i parted it out for 2200... sad day.... it had a few drippy leaks, but was a nice car...

bought in Charlotte.

These were all cars that didn't meet reserve on Ebay.... i paid the people close to what they wanted, but inspected each vehicle before handing over money.

[Ron in SC]

Lee,

Thanks for that information.

Basically, I've recommended to my buddy that he should consider what it's going to cost him to get another one of these 124's fixed up to be very nice and very reliable, like I did on the 1990 300D 2.5 turbo I fixed up for his mother. After I basically restored it he drove it to California to give it to his mom, everything worked perfectly include the A/C.

If say a 15 year old 124 has not had a head gasket if it's a gas car, evaporator and all elements, a water pump, and valve stem seals he may end up paying more to have me work on the car than he pays for it.

They are very expensive if you can not fix them yourself. I've had a person in Charleston offer to sell me her 91 300E for what some may feel is pretty cheap, but I know the center vent air does not blow very hard and it goes thru the deforst vent, it needs a head gasket, muffler, shocks, maybe a water pump and tensioner.

[doggy99x]

I just picked up a 1992 300e off of Ebay with 145k, for $3500, and the only thing wrong with it is the convenience feature that closes the windows when you lock the doors with a key. I thought it was getting lousy gas milage at first, but after a tank or 2 of 91 octane, and getting over the heat wave we had here in cali, my milage went up to a more respectable 19mpg, not stellar, but not bad either for a 14 yr old car. After I got mine, I started shopping for another for my GF. I've found a couple more right at that price, but both had the identical color paint as mine, and neither of us wanted to do the twin thing.

[cjlipps]

Man, I should've looked on e-bay. I paid more than these for my 1990 300E but I had been looking for almost a year and there was nothing I could get to see in person so I took this one. 128K, great exterior (charcoal grey), near perfect interior (grey), and most everything worked. I have done motor mounts, steering drag link and alignment, tires, odometer repair, brake system flush, climate control vacuum block replacement, ovp relay replacement, fan clutch, cooling system flush, trans cooler flex line replacement...that seems like all I can think of. Used some oil (1Q per 1500 miles) at purchase but several thousand miles of Amsoil synthetic and now the usage is near zero. Still have a climate control issue to solve and would love Euro lights on front but it gets around 24 mpg and is quiet and solid feeling at any speed. $5300 purchase price but no regrets....yet. Thanks to this forum for keeping me interested in the car and saving lots of money while getting things sorted out.