Going to look at a 1992 400e 135K w/out ASR/slip control.

Anything in particular to watch out for?

Per seller, wiring harness has been replaced. A/C works as intended, still on R12. Most service records are available.

Car sounds like a good buy, just want to know if there's anything to watch out for in particular on these models.

Regards.

Pre-purchase inspection!! spend $150-200 w/favorite MB shop to keep from spending $$$$.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
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44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Harness was one of my big ($$$) problems, timing chain the other.

Get an inspection done by someone who knows these cars, they can get expensive quickly.

I bought one with 150K, wife loves it (except the mpg!), did the chain ($$$), the harness ($$$), and replaced the ignition switch (124's seem to have a quirky switch, which if it gets stuck anywhere but off position has to be drilled out $$$) .

You can tell a lot by the condition of the interior and the engine bay. The closer to showroom, the more likely the car has been taken care of. Try the fan on all settings, listen for squealing. Try all the windows, check the lights on all the guages and vent knobs (not all expensive, but a pain!). Try the sunroof, see how smooth and how it sounds. Have someone turn on the lights and use the window washer and watch the headlight wipers for functioning.

Pull up the carpeting and check for moisture in the padding (we haven't had any problem with our 124, but my wagon... grrrr!).

Crank up the stereo and check all the speakers. They are pricey if you want original.

Check prices here, and don't pay too much! You'll need the $$$ for premium fuel!

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K

Find out the last maintenance, especially tuneup. The parts alone on a tuneup are costly, especially rotors and caps.

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K

Seems unlikely that car is R12, not that it makes a big difference.

See if the P/S is leaking.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

I've got the same year, and purchased with about the same mileage. My car came factory with 134a. I need to get mine checked every year - so I may look into learning to do this myself as well.

When I got the car the fan clutch decided to self destruct and took out the radiator. This is a PITA as there is no room there.

Clunking from rear end when going around bumpy corners was a dead shock - easy to fix.

Blowers and regulators - not a big deal once you learn how to get to them.

I needed to replace the throtle body (AKA ETA) but I first replaced the wire harness. Everyone seems to label this $$$ but it is a pretty easy fix (I bought the harness from Caliber Motors). I'll volunteer to do these anytime for $100 you buy the harness.

The oil pressure showed 0 - this was fixed by replacing the sender (engine would have self destructed if it actually had the shown pressure for the amoount of time I ran it).

They are great cars. I got a great deal on mine at just a bit over $4K.

Paul

1992 400E's came from the factory with r134a.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

awesome car! Ive put about about 70K on my car thus far and these are the problem areas I identified...

1. engine wiring harness
2. Motor mounts
3. Climate control (blower motor/resistor)
4. power steering leaks
5. distributor caps
7. flex disk

Fairly bulletproof otherwise...

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93 300D 2.5 Turbo, Black/Palomino 273K
09 E350 Black/Black 41K