1994 E320 Coupe Questions:
 

If I don't buy the E500 I'm looking at, this is my next choice. I found 1 at the local Lexus dealer and went to go look.

I test drove a 1994 E320 coupe, 70K, asking $21,995 at the Lexus dealership. There are a few questions I have.

1) The idle was rough. Tach was just above 500rpm's. If I touched the gas pedal (to about 750 rmp's) it was smooth. What's the problem here? I tried a search. Looks like poss. vacuum leak?

2) The outside air temp was barely visable and then would disappear completely, then look normal. Also tried a search, but didn't come up with anything.

Other than that it was a real nice, clean car.

Thanks,

Craig

Hi:
Usually a vacuum leak large enough to cause a rough idle will also set the check engine light. Could just be poor maintenance. See if they have the maintenance book or documents supporting recent maintenance. At 60,000 it should have had a major service: spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, trans fluid change, etc.
Could just be worn out plugs if the service wasn't done, or if wrong plugs were used. Second thought is that this vintage was prone to 2 problems that may cause a concern like this. First is a blown headgasket, second is a bad engine wiring harness.
I'd pay to have it inspected by an MB dealer or trusted MB shop.
If you can, get in the car and just turn the key to "on" and make sure the check engine light lights up, to make sure someone didn't just pull the bulb out.
I've never heard of a temp indicator complaint exactly like this. My guess would be the display itself, which is replaceable seperately.
Gilly

I thought that MB had all the problems ironed out with the 3.2L engine.

I did notice that there were oil change stickers all over the door jam, with the name of the place that did them. I drove by today, but they were closed. I'll call on Monday and get the low down on the car. Also got the VIN that I'll have MB run on Monday.

Craig

my outside temp indicator behaves just like this. i have noted that this happens when the ambient temps are around 70+. in the cooler temps recently it was rock solid. a few have reported success with just replacing the sensor:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/7854-87-300e-outside-temp-gage.html?perpage=15

in any case it is the least of your worries as gilly indicates. those two major repairs he mentioned easily add up to about $2k (BTDT).

That's funny because the outside temp said 72, when I could see it.

The Lexus dealer wants to get rid of it so bad (they've had it for a month) that they said I could take it for 4 days, have it checked out and return it no questions asked if I didn't like it. They are also giving it a 60 day warranty.

Craig

If your not looking for a E500 another great choice is the E420.

Do a search on this car and you'll love what you see.

I have the E320 and its a fine car but now i'm looking @ a 420.

Well hope everything checks out for you on the E320

Ren

I was just thinking about that. There is a 1994 E420 at the local MB dealership with 90,200 miles. Black, they are asking 15,700. Sounds cheap to me. Should I look?

Craig

A tip when looking to purchase the 94/95 E series :
They have an On-Board dianostic socket/box in front of the battery with a built-in LED/Sw. for retrieving codes.
Simple to see if there are stored codes. A single flash means No codes stored.
Check the archives for the procedure.

If buying from a Dealer, I would also ask for a complete scan before laying down the $$$$$$.

I vote for the E420. Then you only have to worry about the wiring harness...

Just got back from a 100 mile round trip to the MB dealer. The car was really clean. Pearl Black with black leather. They showed me $1700 worth of work that was just done including the wiring harness, belt, breaks inc. rotors, misc stuff.

At $15,757 it seems like a good deal, I just prefer the 2 door body more. I don't know what I should do.

$15,575 for 430 sedan
$21,995 for coupe
$34,900 for E500

Craig

One thing I did notice about the E420 (I said 430 in the previous post) was that after the short test drive (didn't go higher than 40 mph) I parked and idled for a few minutes and the temp guage slowly climbed to just above 80. Is that normal? My diesel never did that, but you can't really compare.

Craig

my own preference would be:
E420 (they already took care of one of the main bugaboos!)
Coupe
E500 (this would be first if i could afford it.)

I'd say that's normal. In hot weather that temperature will go over 100, specially when you've been cruising then hit stop and go traffic as will a bunch of other common heat generating activities...

Good luck!

3 great cars in their own way.

This is a tough decision. I think the E420 is more than likely the best choice due to the condition and the price.

The coupe is a beautiful body style.

And the E500, nothing needs to be said about that one, it's just as close to perfect as can be.

Craig

Another thing that I noticed about the coupe and the E420 sedan: neither had heated seats and the E420 Sedan didn't have traction control.

I thought that heated seats were standard on coupes and sedans and traction control standard on E420 sedans:confused:

Craig

Heated seats come with the Winter package.
Along with heated mirrors,heated headlamp washer/wiper
and heated w/w washer tank.