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  #1  
Old 05-17-2007, 07:51 PM
lws1's Avatar
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 139
560SEC or 300TE

I love Mercedes but can only have one. It actually is my second car/weekends. I own a 560SEC in near perfect condition with 161,000 miles but for some reason don't enjoy driving it as much as the wagon I used to have. It feels like I am driving a cruise ship down the road! I guess it's the practical side of me. I was thinking about buying 300TE '93 wagon with 170,000 miles on it and was wondering if someone could help me with what to look for and how long I could expect a gas engine (the one that is in the wagon) typically lasts if taken care of. I just can't bring myself to buy anything newer than '95. Call me a snob, but they don't build 'em like they used to!

Thanks for any input! LWS

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  #2  
Old 05-17-2007, 10:09 PM
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 160
My Dad recently sold his 300TE so I can outline some of the issues he had at 280,000KM.

- Rear shocks leaking
- Rear self leveling Accumulators - Bouncy Ride.
- Fan Pully Bearing Collapsed.
- EHA valve

However is saything it was VERY solid and the engine was smooth as the day it was built. In fact I dont think it had even had the head off in its life.
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1989 230E - Gone
1995 C200 - Gone
1993 280E 120000KM - Built like a brick, the best one yet
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  #3  
Old 05-17-2007, 11:48 PM
BENZ-LGB's Avatar
Strong, silent type
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,663
Quote:
Originally Posted by lws1 View Post
I love Mercedes but can only have one. It actually is my second car/weekends. I own a 560SEC in near perfect condition with 161,000 miles but for some reason don't enjoy driving it as much as the wagon I used to have. It feels like I am driving a cruise ship down the road! I guess it's the practical side of me. I was thinking about buying 300TE '93 wagon with 170,000 miles on it and was wondering if someone could help me with what to look for and how long I could expect a gas engine (the one that is in the wagon) typically lasts if taken care of. I just can't bring myself to buy anything newer than '95. Call me a snob, but they don't build 'em like they used to!

Thanks for any input! LWS
As you can tell from my sig I own four Benzes, including a 300TE. The 300TE has 210K miles on the clock and it is absolutely a joy to own and drive.

Last weekend Ihelped my oldest daughter move to her new apartment and the 300TE was the perfect hauler for all of her stuff.

Still, as with any car there are a few problem areas:

1. The SLS needs regular maintenance. If you stay on top of it, however, it should not be a problem.

2. The struts that support the rear hatch will eventually need to be replaced, unless you don't mind the tailgate falling on your head. The replacement can be a DIY project, but it takes above average skills.

3. Does the 300TE that you are looking at has the M104 engine? If yes, you may have the wiring harness issue.

4. Leaky headgasket.

5. The tranny will eventually need a rebuild (if it hasn't been done already).

That's about it.

Check service records to see if the items listed above have already been tended to. The tranny in our 300TE did not need rebuild until after 200K, so they do last a long time.

There are lots of 300TE threads here, so do a search and go for it!

Good luck!
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Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

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  #4  
Old 05-18-2007, 06:00 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,613
the wagons are sweet drivers. but an sec is too. aside from getting about ten to fifteen percent better fuel mileage, the cost of maintaining a comparable condition wagon will be about the same or perhaps a bit more than the sec. and because of the tall gearing on the sec the drive train should last a good deal longer. in fact if you give it good care you should almost not be able to wear it out.

the v8 s are really tough.

and the sec is one of the classiest bodies to ever roll out of the benz factory, imho.

i love the wagons too though.



tom w
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #5  
Old 05-18-2007, 10:14 AM
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Location: Baton Rouge La
Posts: 2,632
i love both and own neither...

...but if it was my weekend car it would be the SEC

if a daily driver, TE

i don't know how i come to that conclusion, however...
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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


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  #6  
Old 05-19-2007, 05:58 PM
iwrock's Avatar
roflmonster
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Hella NorCal
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I have a 1988 300TE, but its almost the same... Different engine though. Here are some things that I note on my car.


The SLS needs maintainence. I have mine flushed every two years. I have had the nitrogen spheres replaced a few times, but as I understand it, its an easy DIY task. I have also had one of the SLS hoses go out, and it dumped all of my fluid out. Not a big deal, new hose, fresh fluid, all good.

The shocks for the rear hatch need to be replaced over time.... Its almost time for mine, as when its cold, the hatch likes to bump me on the head....

They like to leak a little oil. Mines got a small leak, just a bit of oil every so often.

I had the trannie rebuilt at 208,000 miles. She started slipping around 200,000, and decided to bite the bullet and have it rebuilt. Shifts great once again!




But the wagons are great. Love mine, and would not trade it.... Unless I were trading for a Hammer Wagon.
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91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.
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  #7  
Old 05-19-2007, 06:08 PM
BENZ-LGB's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Southern California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justinwrock View Post
I have a 1988 300TE, but its almost the same...

The shocks for the rear hatch need to be replaced over time.... Its almost time for mine, as when its cold, the hatch likes to bump me on the head....

They like to leak a little oil. Mines got a small leak, just a bit of oil every so often.

I had the trannie rebuilt at 208,000 miles. She started slipping around 200,000, and decided to bite the bullet and have it rebuilt. Shifts great once again!

But the wagons are great. Love mine, and would not trade it.... Unless I were trading for a Hammer Wagon.
Justin your 300TE and my soon-to-be-my-son's 300TE sound a lot alike.

Replaced the tailgate's shocks when I got tired of getting hit on the back of the head on cold mornings.

Tranny rebuilt after 200k miles. Now shifts great.

A few months ago someone hit the left front fender and left a dent on it. They did not leave their ID. At that ime I was carrying a very high collision deductible.

I've not had it repaired yet. But will get it done this summer. The car could use a paint refresh. But now I am podenring whether it would be worth the big bucks to do a Benz-worthy paint job, or to go for a less expensive alternative.

The wagon is worth a lot to me, and will be worth a lot to my son, but its market value is not that high anymore.

Decisions, decisions....

BTW, these are truly GREAT wagons.
__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!
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  #8  
Old 05-19-2007, 06:17 PM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
Posts: 8,538
Quote:
Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB View Post
The wagon is worth a lot to me, and will be worth a lot to my son, but its market value is not that high anymore.

Decisions, decisions....

BTW, these are truly GREAT wagons.
I say give it a good repaint. It doesn't matter if the cost of the repaint is more than its market value.

These cars are now irreplaceable, and have a high utility value.
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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".
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  #9  
Old 05-19-2007, 08:49 PM
iwrock's Avatar
roflmonster
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Hella NorCal
Posts: 3,313
The wagon has a high sentimental value to me as well, but I agree that they just simply are not worth that much anymore. Its got a high value to me, my mom, and my dad as well, but not to the insurance company.


We dropped comp and collision on my wagon 3 months ago. I fought like hell, but when it came down to it, I was carrying a $1,000 deductible on a car thats worth $5,000 tops.


But overall, I love my wagon. Yeah, its got a few bumps and bruises, but its a daily driver. I would love to get a repaint on my wagon, but being a college student, I do not want to worry about my $2,500 paintjob sitting where others could ding it up.

But overall, I would never give up my wagon. You would have to pry the keys from my dead cold hands before I would give it up.


But I do need to get those hatch struts fixed. Its getting old having my head bumped in the morning.... Is it an easy DIY? How much time am I looking at?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.
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