If the paint is original, don't get it resprayed. Ask a good body shop if it could be polished back up and pay to have them do it.

If the clearcoat isn't destroyed there is a chance it could be brought back, the Mercedes Benz original paint back then was very very good, and these old cars clean up very, very well.


When you shortly buy tires, get a 4 wheel alignment, and check the brake pads, repack the front wheel bearings, and check the spare tire to see if it is any good and if it is, air it up; if not get a non directional tire mounted and balanced and be sure the jacking impedimentia is in place at the time. (replaceable for a few dollars if it isn't, from a junkyard)

Make sure the HVAC is up to snuff; and run it though a carwash, after which you can inspect the interior glass and trunks for leaks before rainy season.

You are way ahead of the game if the failure prone wiring harness has been replaced on your W124, so I would say the price for what you got is really good

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Thanks Jim. Paint is definitely dead on the top and the upper door surfaces. Crows feet and peeled clearcoat. The hood was actually resprayed and is a 9/10 job - I wish they hadn't stopped there. I'm in no rush to paint it. I figure for now, all I need to do to keep the body rust-free is keep the major debris off it and spray the underside every week or 2. Brake pads are new up front also, and I did notice it pulling to the right, so I will do an alignment and have the other suspension bits and bushings checked at that time. Thanks for the heads-up on the bearings as I had not thought of that.

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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

The front sway bar bushings are easy and cheap to replace - you don't even have to get a lift.
The rear sway bar links are also inexpensive, and fairly easy to replace....it does help to remove the wheel first.
If you are looking to replace the fuel filter, it is underneath the rear of the car, near the seating area, passenger side. It ought to be behind a plastic shield, being held on by 2 or 4 plastic nuts - 10mm, I think. Inspect the steel fuel line while you are there...some of them do not age so well.

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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

nice to see my old, first thread revived after a year. I have enjoyed the 400e, though its not been problem free:

the wiper transmission went out and that is not a cheap part, then the bolts that hold the ps pump on sheared off and my mech had to drill out the bolts (400 labor, 5 parts); the muffler got a hole in it and had to be replaced (but i knew that was going to happen); it needed new caps and rotors a couple months ago and while i was at it i replaced the air filter and spark plugs (now it runs super smooth and is POWERFUL). the headlight switch broke, the headliner has fallen--too much open sunroof motoring--and i have some interior dash lights that stay on all the time even when the lights are off so the light control relay needs to be replaced. that is next on my list. then on to fixing my fading stereo amps and the fuel sending unit, and replacing the seatbelt relay and, finally, the vacuum actuators in the dash cause they are shot (no air out the center vents). and now there is a rattle in the passenger rear side when i go over bumps that suggests something is off in the suspension.

its not just a car, its a hobby.

on the other hand, everyone compliments the car and is amazed at how good shape it is in. and its fun that in a city of 3million that even when i buy tires the tire guys knows my mechanic. I have the top of the line goodyears on it and they are great so far.

plus I am learning to do more things myself so that is enjoyable.

my advice: buy a metric tool kit and make this site your home page. everyone has been super helpful.

and just replace the caps rotors and sparkplugs now.

but check on the tranny fluid...my mechanic has been hesitant to do it until its really necessary because he has seen too many trannys of this age start acting up or flat out dying when they get new fluid. he also says he has never seen a m119 timing chain break suddenly unless its been badly mistreated (ie, raced around). and he drives a m199 in an old s-class, along with a 300td w123 and a 320e. though they service any German car, all the guys in the shop drives mercedes.

its not just a hobby, its a lifestyle.

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Christopher

400e >> 1992 >> 196k miles
Black Pearl Metallic/Grey Interior