89 260E question
 

I'm looking in to buying this car for my teenage daughter 1989 260E with 160K miles asking price $2000 the looks in good shape from photo. I don't much about this model but I'm familier whith my 95 E320 sedan. Are there any particular things to look for this model?
Any advice is appreciated.
thanks

Same things for all w124s - transmission, evaporator, head gasket leaks, etc.

I had an 89 260E. My biggest issues were all fluid related -- radiator leaks; head gasket leaks; valve cover leaks; transmission fluid leaks; you get the point.

You can drive those cars into the ground even when things are mechanically wrong. Nonetheless, I would give a lot of attention to climate control, and engine/fuel system cleanliness. (Little else matters if you are freezing in the winter/burning in the summer, or unable to pass an emmissions test.)

I have a '89 260E with well over 400K on the clock.
I bought it back in 1991 (17 years ago)
A/C evaporator: Still with the original in place.
Transmission: Still with the original in place. Never been opened.
Head Gasket: Replaced at 275K when I had to fix the valve guide problem. (valve cover replaced at that time.
Radiator: Replaced at around 300K (broken upper neck)
These are very tough cars.
Good luck

95 C220 question
 

Thanks for the info, i looked at the car and the engine was to oily and was knocking. I looked at a different mb today 95 C220 whith 105k miles but the CEL was on, the wiring harn. is still the original. it was running ok no oil leaks.
do these engines have wiring harn. sicknes to?
And can i use my self tester that i built for my 95 E320 to do diognostic on it?
thanks again

Cannot answer that, but am certain someone else will.

Why not consider another 95 E320 for her, or at least something with the same engine (i.e. a 93 300E)?

well..i think you are smart to back off of that for your daughter.. i bought a 300e for my son... but we take care of everything ourselves.

I think for a daughter you probably need a 300e in the range of 100k miles...with service records.

our biggest issues have been replacing rubber and seals.... we take our time and deal with some of the leaks or whatever...but we are slowly rounding them up.... the only mechanical "issues" we have had with his 300e is a water pump seal that blew out...as a result of an overheat from a fan clutch that went bad.

that's 3 years and 34k miles of driving.

My first MB was an '89 260E. My son drives it today with nearly 200K on it. I have four other MBs now, and I still think the 260E is one of the best cars I've ever owned. Obviously way too slow off the line for many drivers, but that was never a problem for me. My son thought it was not a "cool" car to go to college with, but it's grown on him. I think any 124 would be a good choice for your daughter as long as it's in reasonably good shape.