experiences with 300TE

[Zulfiqar]

Im looking at a 300TE at the moment, its quite reasonably priced with a straight body etc and a blue interior (as usual tex is immaculate but dash is cracked at 2 points)

the bad is the HG is blown, the engine starts and runs fine (coolant has oil though)

Cant say about the SLS - the car did sort of bounce at the back very slowly though.

Would this car be a worthwhile buy. Reason for the wagon is that sometimes I need a cargo vehicle and am left renting one.

[lee polowczuk]

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

Im looking at a 300TE at the moment, its quite reasonably priced with a straight body etc and a blue interior (as usual tex is immaculate but dash is cracked at 2 points)

the bad is the HG is blown, the engine starts and runs fine (coolant has oil though)

Cant say about the SLS - the car did sort of bounce at the back very slowly though.

Would this car be a worthwhile buy. Reason for the wagon is that sometimes I need a cargo vehicle and am left renting one.

find another one. you are looking at a lot of expensive repairs there..

[Zulfiqar]

how much am I looking at. Im DIY all the way, and this car's cost is 500 dollars btw.

[lorainfurniture]

What year? What engine? I wouldnt count it out for a head gasket.

[Zulfiqar]

its a 1990 RWD with the 103 engine - 150K miles.

[lorainfurniture]

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

its a 1990 RWD with the 103 engine - 150K miles.

Head gasket is done over a weekend with a few hundred bucks. That includes new seals and guides.

As far as sls goes, its still drivable one way or another.

For 500$ id buy it in a heartbeat. The RR tail light is worth $100, just to start. The car is worth $350 as scrap. You cant lose.

[DieselPaul]

If the car sits mostly level but is bouncy in the back then the accumulators are bad. $250 in parts and not too difficult to do.

[Zulfiqar]

The car sits perfectly level and when I try to bounce it - it moves very firmly more like its got some real HD shock absorbers in it. I did not drive it as the tags were expired.

Sounds like I should purchase it.

[pawoSD]

for $500 hard to go wrong....I'd buy it!

[lee polowczuk]

i guess i should eat my words or clarify my remarks.

I did not know that you could do a headgasket.... if you can do that more power to you.

i've just seen very few of our knowledgeable people tackle that job

[colincoon]

I've done two head gasket jobs on the M103. Do yourself a favor and have a machine shop machine the head and also replace the valve seals.

I bought my 300E post head gasket job and it still leaked because the shop that did it did not machine the head. You can do just the HG repair in about 15 hours for less than $500 with the head work. When I do it I replace the radiator, water pump, hoses, etc. etc. etc. though since everything is out and will have no chance of being contaminated with oil. This cost me closer to $1000 to do though.

[Zulfiqar]

This one slipped away - darn it

[lorainfurniture]

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

This one slipped away - darn it

At $500 you should have bought it on the spot and thought about it later.


Keep in Mind that a car will sell for 350-$400 just as scrap. You would have only been gambling a hundred bucks

[Zulfiqar]

I had everything cut out to pick it up yesterday - about 200 miles away. Took time off work etc.

The person called me to inform me sold it.

DRAT!!!!

Lost it. Really wanted a wagon.