Hi, everyone. I'm a fairly new Mercedes owner. About 10 months ago, I bought a 1989 300SE from my old mechanic. He turned out to be less than truthful. Now I have my 18-year-old car, which I love, but is not in very good shape.

The car has 211,500 miles on it. It has been diagnosed (by the same mechanic who sold it to me -- did I mention I don't go to him anymore? ) as needing a complete transmission replacement. It burns oil, usually needing two or three extra quarts of oil in between 3,000 mile oil changes.

The RPMs seem too high to me. I've seen on this forum and I've also been told that it can be okay for the RPMs to stay this high, but it concerns me because the engine sounds like it's laboring, and the car didn't always run this hard at high speeds. As a rule of thumb, the RPMs are half my speed. So at 70 miles an hour, the needle stays firmly on 3,500, and I cannot hear the car shift. According to a couple of mechanics, it's lost fourth gear.

Apparently, it needs power steering repairs, too. I'm making sure the power steering fluid gets topped off regularly because according to my current mechanic, the power steering system leaks in several places. I've never actually seen it leak, but I know by the noise and the fluid level that it must be leaking at least marginally.

Now my car needs rear brake calipers very soon. It could also use some body work; the hood is somewhat dented, and the front chrome needs to be replaced.

Mainly, however, the body of the car and the interior are in great condition. The leather interior and premium sound system (not original to the car) could pass for brand new.

So should I keep it, trade it in, sell it for parts, donate it, or what?

No one seems to want it for private party sale. I'd like to make back at least part of the money I've put into this car -- the original purchase price, all the little repairs, etc. I hate to sell it to someone for parts and have get a pittance for it, when I know they can still make money off the car. It has a new fuel pump, new tires, that sound system, and, as far as I know, a good engine, beyond the transmission issues. I love the car, and I would gladly keep it for at least another year. But I don't want to put good money after bad. The high mileage concerns me after researching the car more. It's a beautiful car with a lot of potential, but I don't know if I have the time and money to give it the care it needs.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions! I need all the help I can get with this car.

Ok, so welcome to the forum fellow 300SE owner. Do you have tools and are you able to work on cars?

The car has 211,500 miles on it. It has been diagnosed (by the same mechanic who sold it to me -- did I mention I don't go to him anymore? ) as needing a complete transmission replacement. It burns oil, usually needing two or three extra quarts of oil in between 3,000 mile oil changes.

First change the trans fluid and don't forget to drain the converter, there is a drain plug. These engine use oil and 1000 miles per quart is considered normal. There are two leak points, the rear passenger side of the head and the front passenger side of the upper chain cover. Sealing the latter is easy, the former requires you to pull the head.

The RPMs seem too high to me. I've seen on this forum and I've also been told that it can be okay for the RPMs to stay this high, but it concerns me because the engine sounds like it's laboring, and the car didn't always run this hard at high speeds. As a rule of thumb, the RPMs are half my speed. So at 70 miles an hour, the needle stays firmly on 3,500, and I cannot hear the car shift. According to a couple of mechanics, it's lost fourth gear.

The RPM is normal, at 60 mph mine turns about 3000. These engines are tough but they need to rev high for such a large car. They usually have a V8 in them.

Apparently, it needs power steering repairs, too. I'm making sure the power steering fluid gets topped off regularly because according to my current mechanic, the power steering system leaks in several places. I've never actually seen it leak, but I know by the noise and the fluid level that it must be leaking at least marginally.

Check the rubber return lines from the steering gear to the cooler loop and to the reservoir. If the gear is leaking, get a used one from a yard. Again, you need tools.

Now my car needs rear brake calipers very soon. It could also use some body work; the hood is somewhat dented, and the front chrome needs to be replaced.

How do you know it needs rear calipers? Rear pads I can see but the calipers should last a long time. You can get another hood from the junk yard. The chrome is also available from the same recycler.

You're probably going to need front end work, ball joints, tie rods, bushings, but don't worry, there is allot of info available here. I've done most of this myself. Mine leaks oil from the rear head, I've done the entire front suspension, replaced the steering gear, new tires etc.

Where do you live?

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Thanks for your response. I live in Arizona.

No, I don't have the tools, time, or expertise to work on the car myself. That's why I'm unsure about keeping it. I have had problems finding and keeping a good mechanic.

This car has a V6 engine. The brakes and power steering system repairs have been recommended by my mechanic. He said the calipers in the right rear brake are worn to 80%. The other side is only worn to 20%, and the front are fine. The whole power steering system has minor leaks. Apparently, the former owner never replaced any part of it in 18 years.

So the RPMs are normal? I have been told that once, but, as I said, I've also been told that the car is "dying and desperately needs a new tranny" and that I'm burning out the engine. I'm concerned more about the laboring of the car than the RPMs. It shifts roughly and is slow to pick up. Once it gets going, the car handles beautifully (of course, it IS a Benz).

I have considered keeping and repairing the car, but every time I take it in, something else is going wrong. To me, the mileage is abnormally high. I didn't know the original owner at all, and I have no idea how or where she drove. I bought the car through a broker.

Thanks for your help. If I had a truly reputable mechanic or the facilities to work on it myself, I wouldn't even think of selling the car.

For future reference: how much you would say the car is worth generally? Without even seeing it, a dealer said it "wouldn't matter" towards a new car. I think it's worth at least $1,500, myself.

I'm thinking of keeping it as the extra family car, rather than my commuter. If it will last another year without any expensive repairs, I probably will do so. Is that feasible?

I say sell the car to someone who knows how to work on it. The money you will spend to keep it in good working order will not be cost effective and might well exceed the value of the car. If you can use the sound system elsewhere, take it out before you put it up for sale.

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

OK, well the costs will eat you alive since you cannot work on it yourself. Front end repair alone will cost about $2500, and you will need front end work. Other work will also be expensive at $90/hr. I still work on my 300SE fixing minor problems.

The car has an inline 6 not a V6.

So the RPMs are normal? I have been told that once, but, as I said, I've also been told that the car is "dying and desperately needs a new tranny" and that I'm burning out the engine. I'm concerned more about the laboring of the car than the RPMs. It shifts roughly and is slow to pick up. Once it gets going, the car handles beautifully (of course, it IS a Benz).

You are not burning out the engine. Those people are not knowledgable about 300SE models. The car is large and heavy and the trans starts in 2nd gear making acceleration from a start rather lethargic. Try this, at a stop light, move the shift lever to position '2' and then back to 'D'. The trans will start in 1st gear and the acceleration will be much better.

The rough shifting may be caused by several minor internal trans problems, vacuum modulator or K2 actuator, all common problems.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Thanks for the advice. I do wish I could keep the car as it has so many good points. But the repair costs are apparently going to be worse than I had thought. I did hear today that an old friend is interested in selling his car, so that's good news.

Thanks again!

Logan