Looking to buy a '91 300CE - What do you guys think? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rgnprof · #1 05-27-2009, 09:26 PM

I need another Mercedes like I need a hole in my head, BUT, I may have stumbled on to a deal too good to pass up...

I know very little about the W124's and the 300CE, but I have been doing some reading here. I haven't seen the car yet, but it is one of those "little old lady" stories - she just wants to sell it and get it out of her garage.

She says it's immaculate, only 50,000 miles and everything works except the door locks. Been garaged or covered - red with the palomino interior. Wants $4000 for it - what do you guys think?

I don't know anything about this model - potential problem areas, etc. - although I did read about a costly EZL ignition (??) and head gaskets.

ryan

spree17 · #2 05-27-2009, 09:49 PM

Immaculate with 50k miles sounds great. Locks can be replaced. You could even use a keyless remote lock. Any pictures?

volosong · #3 05-27-2009, 10:03 PM

Even with a few problems, such as the wiring harness, being mint with only 50k miles for 4,000 is probably well worth it. Great cars...those coupes.

rgnprof · #4 05-27-2009, 10:36 PM

I'm going to look at it tomorrow - what should I look for? Any suggestions?

I'll take pictures and try to post some tomorrow...

Thanks, ryan

RBYCC · #5 05-28-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgnprof

I'm going to look at it tomorrow - what should I look for? Any suggestions?

I'll take pictures and try to post some tomorrow...

Thanks, ryan

Sounds like a deal to me....ask her if she has the service history that you can review...possibly it may have been dealer maintained by the story you tell !!!

mbzman · #6 05-28-2009, 12:09 AM

This car has the early version of the M104 engine which uses an updated fuel injection system from the earlier M103 cars (CIS E). Displacement is still 3.0 and not 3.2 like the 1993 and later straight 6s in the W124s. It is a 24 valve unit with variable valve timing. My first check would be to ensure that the head gasket and various other engine gaskets are not leaking any oil or coolant. If they are, the lower block and undercarriage will likely have some saturation of oil. I would also check the coolant to make sure that no oil has entered into it. Head gaskets were a problem on these engines and if it has not already failed it will only be a matter of time before they do. I'm not absolutely positive if the wiring harness problem affected the early M104s but a good PPI should reveal any problems with it. I would check ALL the electrics to make sure they work. Also check to see if the A/C works as it should as repairs are expensive, most notably is the evaporator. Make sure the heater and fan blow the according amount of air to the right places. The fan speed should increase in the max cold or hot positions. If you can, drive the car on a hot day and bring a thermometer so you can measure the vent temperatures with the A/C on. Check to make sure the car starts and idles well. Pay attention for any delays, hesitations or uneveness when starting or driving. With such low mileage, many of the rubber parts for the engine and suspension can dry out and crack. When you get the car inspected, have the rubber suspension and engine components examined closely. Check all the fluids including the transmission level and color. Also, note the performance of the transmission by ensuring that it engages without delay and does not slip or shift hard. Make sure the coolant is not green and also look at the color of the brake fluid and note its color. Take the oil filler cap off and check the underside for milkiness or excessive sludge. Check over the body and undercarriage thoroughly, looking for paint and body defects as well as rust. The seatbelt extenders should come on when you turn the ignition on and retract after 30 seconds or when you buckle the seat belt or open a door. They should come back out after the door has closed provided the seatbelt is not engaged in the buckle. The seat backs should lock into place if the engine is running and doors closed. They are unlocked with the engine off or the door open. Check the rubber seals around the door and glass where the back window meets the front. These former items are coupe/cabriolet particulars. A pre purchase inspection by a reputable independent specialist is a must as are service records. Let us know how the car checks out!

Douge · #7 05-28-2009, 12:45 AM

Thats a pretty smokin deal in my book if the car is well sorted. Talk her down 500 and go through and do all the fluids and filters and ignition tune up and it ought to be good as new. Good info above. If its leaking oil around the front of the head it may be the timing cover and not the head, very common.

Check the tires, may be degraded from age and likely flat spotted. Whatever you pay for it, budget 5-600 for some TLC.

Good luck and post some pics.

rgnprof · #8 05-28-2009, 07:48 PM

Well, she wasn't lying! Car is in great shape. 2 owners and the current owner bought it in 1997 with 22,000 miles on the odometer. She has EVERY service record dating back to when the car was new...

A couple of items of interest - the dealership replaced the transmission around 10,000 miles in '95 and also replaced the cylinder head around 19,000 miles - I think this was a head gasket replacement due to an oil leak. Anything to be concerned about?

Following mbzman's suggestions, I, and a real good mechanic friend of mine gave the car a good going over. Looks new, no oil leaking anywhere, AC works, everything works EXCEPT the cruise control - which really bums me because this will be my highway car, so I have to get it fixed. It sets but shuts off almost immediately - ACCEL and DECEL functions work, probably a bad amp, but I can't figure out the amp/coding issue. Really a big discrepancy in pricing - $475 on this site vs. $190 on AZ's site - so I'm confused??

Pictures later tonight....

ryan

rgnprof · #9 05-28-2009, 09:31 PM

Pictures:

http://s511.photobucket.com/albums/s360/rgnprof/Mercedes%20300CE/

ryan

slk230red · #10 05-28-2009, 10:15 PM

Ryan, that's a lot of car for $4k, even if it is a 1991. The condition, mileage, history, etc. is pretty impressive.
I wouldn't sell my '93 190E 2.3 with 92,000 miles for $4k that I purchased new, and that '91 300CE is worth a lot more than mine.

Buy it and enjoy.

Good luck,

Dave

Ivanerrol · #11 05-28-2009, 10:57 PM

I.M.H.O.

If the body is rust and damage free, if the interior is near faultless than the small mechanical considerations are immaterial.

This model is already a classic and will be highly sought after in the years to come.

The mechanics are relatively simple and the rubber works are a mere bagatelle.

Compared to modern cars these will still be running around in twenty+ years. Computer controls and electronic knick-knacks redundancy will ensure a short life time for the latest cars.

RBYCC · #12 05-28-2009, 11:02 PM

You did good....it's worth at least twice what you paid for it and even more to the right buyer.

Ferdman · #13 05-29-2009, 06:32 AM

Ryan, why is the right rear passenger seat cushion pulled out? It makes that picture look odd. Perhaps someone was inspecting the electric vacuum pump under that seat to diagnose why the door locks don't function. I suspect at 19,000 miles the dealer replaced the head gasket ... the original design was problematic with the 104 engines. It would be advisable to get the car up on a lift to inspect the underside. From the pictures it appears to be a very clean, low mileage car and for a very reasonable price. My daughter recently sold her 1991 300CE (in decent shape with 155,000 miles) for $4,000 ... so you're getting a great deal. If you buy this 300CE check the condition of the sparkplugs, distributor cap & rotor, and ignition wires ... failure to maintain those parts may cause the EZL (ignition control) module (which sells for around $2,500) to fail.

lee polowczuk · #14 05-29-2009, 06:42 AM

I am paying 7k for a 1989 CE with 85k miles. Lots of upgrades. mint condition. I think i am great car at a fair price.

you are getting a great car at great price.

no wiring harness issues with the 91....just headgasket.

i would immediately change out every fluid in the car.

congratulations

i paid 4700 for our other CE four years ago...it had 124k on it at the time...now approaching 190k.

ps2cho · #15 05-29-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferdman

Ryan, why is the right rear passenger seat cushion pulled out? It makes that picture look odd. Perhaps someone was inspecting the electric vacuum pump under that seat to diagnose why the door locks don't function. I suspect at 19,000 miles the dealer replaced the head gasket ... the original design was problematic with the 104 engines. It would be advisable to get the car up on a lift to inspect the underside. From the pictures it appears to be a very clean, low mileage car and for a very reasonable price. My daughter recently sold her 1991 300CE (in decent shape with 155,000 miles) for $4,000 ... so you're getting a great deal. If you buy this 300CE check the condition of the sparkplugs, distributor cap & rotor, and ignition wires ... failure to maintain those parts may cause the EZL (ignition control) module (which sells for around $2,500) to fail.

You can grab EZL's at the junkyard for $20

--

OP that is a killer deal go for it!! If you do, make sure to paint the grill black, it makes a huge difference!