I picked up my 1993 300CE last March - 74,500 miles, silver w/black interior. Every time I think about a different car I walk out and see mine in the parking lot and wonder what I could have been thinking?!

Next up, Euro headlights and a Sportline suspension upgrade from PartsShop. Just waiting for them to finish MB Autowerks so I can try out the new shop.

__________________
1992 500E

Picked up a 1988 300CE in Dec 01. 41,400 mi. when purchased.
A winter Fla. car. Maroon/Burgundy ext. w/tan interior.
It's been sitting in a garage most of it's life. Has chrome well well caps, but rest is stock. Got lots of pics, but don't know how to share them. They're an e-mail attachment right now. any help?

BTW, head gasket and motor mounts replaced before I purchased it. Since then a steering shock and major transmisison work which was very disappointing (and costly). Idle's a bit rough, but will have that checked with the plug change at 45,000 mi servicing.

Paint is original and still in excellent condition. Shines very nicely. Any suggestions about care now that it is going to be more of an everyday car?

Jim M
Cape May NJ

Jim - you might want to have the wiring harness checked for that rough idle problem. My mechanic spotted mine last year, gave me 10-12 months before I'd really need to deal with it. Apparently, there was a problem with the insulation cracking/wearing through in area's where it is very tough to visually inspect.

There have been a number of threads on the site discussing this problem. A quick search should bring a lot of good info on the topic.

__________________
1992 500E

From what I understand, the well-known wiring harness problem only surfaced starting in 1992, and continued through '94 or '95.
It was not a problem on 300CEs of 1991 or earlier vintage.

Ok, I feel guilty for not having announced myself at this roll call, so here goes: I have a 1992 300CE w/112,000 miles on it. Only problem I have had so far: you guessed it, wiring harness. Other than that it's in pristine shape. People often ask me if it's a brand new car -- thank you, timeless Mercedes styling.


Zach
1992 300CE

Zach,hows it going? Glad that you made it back to the states safely...I was wondering where you were. Hope that you had a good fun filled trip.Good to hear from you again.
Keep in touch
Phillip
1992 300CE
81,000 miles

Thanks bpkinatl.

I did have a burned out diode and and some other minor elec. problems that affected interior elecs. but that's been fixed.

I will keep the wiring harness in the back of my mind though for future reference.

Hope the rough idle is plugs or plug wires or something minor.

Another subject: What't the fix for the exdender arm for passenger seat belt. Also, the belt retractor stopped working last week. Is this easily fixable or should the whole unit be replaced?
Any thoughts on this. People must break these frequently I think.

JimM

I know I should be too grown up for this, but when this smart ___ in a new 325 cut me off at a light tonight, only to give me the I'm so much faster than your old Mercedes smug look in the mirror, I couldn't help myself.

Well, wasn't Mister BMW surprised when not only was he unable to shake me, but when we hit four lanes I pulled along side. Now it took holding it in 2nd and 3rd longer than usual, but it was a pretty clear lesson for the guy in the BMW...old Mercedes don't die we just smoke Bimmers.

Oh well, I thought the collection of CE owners on this thread would understand the regression to my younger days and enjoy the tale.

__________________
1992 500E

Hi Phillip, how the heck are you buddy? Yeah, I made it back
to the states just fine. A few weeks in France will make you yearn
for the USA, believe me. Since I got back I've just been really busy with work and haven't been posting much. I'll shoot you a private message so I don't derail the thread.


Zach
1992 300CE

bpkinatl,

I know what you mean.

A few years back, a friend bought a new (1998) BMW 328i cabriolet, automatic. It's funny, cause he is from Germany...he was over to open the first branch location for his company in the states. He insisted on humiliating himself over and over again!

I generally do not "drag" my car, as I am well aware of the 0-60 times of the 3.0 24-valve motor. Car & Driver's article in 1990 (I had to get a microfiche copy at the library) showed the following performance from the 1990 300CE: 0-60mph - 7.7 sec. Standing 1/4 mile - 16.1 sec @ 89mph. Top speed - 147 mph.

The quality of the microfiche copy is terrible, so I won't try to post it here.

Other interesting tidbits include:

Roadholding, 300-ft.-dia. skidpad - 0.78g
Horsepower - 217 @ 6400rpm......(my redline is 7000rpm, this changed when MB went to the 3.2 liter motor in your CE)

Quoting from the C/D article "This engine is set up to breathe effectively at higher speeds, as the elevated power-peak rpm suggests, and taking advantage of the extra ergs requires using the extra revs. Whip the 3.0 liter six hard, spinning it to its 7000-rpm redline, and it delivers the goods. A 7.7 second dash to 60 mph knocked a full second off the twelve-valve CE we tested for that 1988 coupe comparison, even though the multivalve engine brought with it a curb-weight increase from 3290 pounds to 3502. Top speed improved by 10 mph, to 147"....."From the start, the CE has been an expensive car, and now it lists at $57,350. But price is just a mechanism to control demand. To the extent that exclusivity contibutes to the 300CE's appeal, its lofty sticker is a perverse benefit."

On a rare occasion - and with new V-rated Michelins, I may "exercise" my CE towards to upper limits of its capability. Not many normally aspirated 6-cyl cars will come close to hitting 150 mph. Most of the stuff coming from Germany these days is limited to 125-130mph (AMG, M-Power, Audi "S", Porsche excepted of course). But they don't try to challenge me. It's the kid in a five year old 325, or a Z3 (1.9 or 2.8).

However, the pleasure for me is not racing every kid in town or losing a new BMW on GA400, but knowing I can.

Thanks for the insights from the Car & Driver article. I don't usually engage in the street challenge stuff (that went the way of my big block '57 Chevy many years ago), but the guy just hit me on a really bad day. First time I've ever really "put my foot" into the car since I got it. I guess I didn't realy appreciate how quick it really is.

But, now that I've had a feel for how quick the car can be (I know it's no 500E, but its still pretty darn respectable for a 6 cyl), I can sit back and smile at the challenge knowing what the car will do. Would be nice though to take it to the track with a proper set of tires, and maybe after a SportLine upgrade, and put it through its paces.

__________________
1992 500E

Funny thing....

I traded a 1985 300D when I bought my '91 CE, seven years ago (Starmarked, from Atlanta Classic).

Between the two cars, it was night and day on the test drive.

I was used to the diesel....read...press the gas all the way down to get it moving.

Well, coming out of the driveway at Atlanta Classic, I hadn't yet "trained" myself on the joys of a gasoline Benz. Salesman's eyes get BIG as I smoke the Michelins....totally unintentionally!

The first week I owned the car, it actually scared me a couple times when I would go into first gear kickdown from 30mph. Still puts a smile on my face. I know, not a 500E or CLK55, etc., etc.

But it's paid for.

As for track time, look into attending Starfest 2002 in Indianapolis (August), unless you have some local connections for cheap time at Road Atlanta, Roebling, or "Little" Talladega! If that's the case, call me!

Hello everyone, I just traded my e420 for a 95' e320 coupe. I just could refuse the classic styling of the W124 coupe. Hey Phillip, we should get together with you and your friends who have the 300ce in SF. Anybody up for a gathering of all 300ce/e320 coupe owners?


Mingson

el presidente-

...I really wouldn't feel comfortable taking any stock W124 coupe over 90mph....unless one had lots and lots of abandoned straight track or salt bed-

though they can do over 90mph all day long- the W124 coupe's nature and demeanor is luxury and comfort (and they perform to late 1980's and early 1990's standards regardless)

a true performance oriented vehicle will be loads more satisfying to enjoy for sport driving and infinitely safer too

-fad

Mingson--

I like your idea of a Bay Area get together, but other than you, me, and Phillip, I don't know how many other 300CE/E320 owners there are who would go. I think that someone should just put together a larger all-inclusive MB get together for the SF Bay Area.



Zach
1992 300CE