Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-19-2012, 12:56 AM
BaytoBeaches's Avatar
BaytoBeaches
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Bay Area California
Posts: 2
Thumbs up Freshman Buyer, Need Tech Buy Advice

Hey, I sold my Mitsubishi 3000GT SL and am now interested in a Benz... and need advise on what to stay away from or consider to meet my wish list:

1. Once purchased - no major mechanical problems for 2 years.
2. Once purchased - no more than $500 in mechanical investment for 1 year.
3. Buy price - under $5000

So, what is the best model and year of MB to shop?

Cheers, BaytoBeaches

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-19-2012, 12:58 AM
ps2cho's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chandler, Arizona
Posts: 3,525
Based on your criteria, a Honda.

In all seriousness though, you won't. You could find a nice W124 that has perfect history for $5k, but you'll still end up putting ~$1k/yr into it. More so if you don't do the work yourself.
__________________
2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-19-2012, 01:21 AM
tbomachines's Avatar
ಠ_ಠ
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 8,308
I went to a Stealth R/T (almost the same exact car) to a MB, small world....PM me if you have any specific questions about the comparison. I still miss it but will probably have a 3si TT in the near future because I absolutely loved that car and have a huge soft spot for them. Anyways Ps2cho hit it on the mark. You can get a great w124 for $2500 but be prepared to spend a bit into it if your budget is 5k, same thing to be considered if you were getting another SL from 90-94 but the MBs will last much much longer if properly maintained. Even a w201 or something from the mid 90s might not be off mark, but with any car that old you'll hit repairs. Case in point, my 3si, I redid the timing belt, all hoses and plugs/wires etc and was dead reliable for 30k until some guy nailed it in a snowstorm . It's just a matter of the car being that old more than anything, look for records.
__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-19-2012, 03:00 AM
Stretch's Avatar
...like a shield of steel
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere in the Netherlands
Posts: 14,461
Quote:
Originally Posted by ps2cho View Post
Based on your criteria, a Honda.

In all seriousness though, you won't. You could find a nice W124 that has perfect history for $5k, but you'll still end up putting ~$1k/yr into it. More so if you don't do the work yourself.
X2
__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-19-2012, 08:17 AM
thayer's Avatar
Mercerator
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Mt. Airy, NC
Posts: 891
Ok, here is an idea.

Look for a 1993 to 1995 w124 to your liking that has a new wiring harness, tranny rebuild, and the A/C Evaporator replaced. If its a wagon, make sure the rear suspension has been had the hydraulic spheres replaced.

When you find that, buy it. I'm betting that car will keep you under your money goal. It will take a while to find that car, but its not impossible.

__________________

77' 300D, "Cartman" SOLD @ 150K (didn't know what I had)
83' 300SD, "The Superdon" 325k+ @ 28mpg
95 E320 wagon, "Millennium Falcon" 231k+ @ 24 Mpg
95 E300D, "Sherley" 308k @ 33.69 Mpg, currently anticipating a head
99 Suzuki Intruder "Trudy" @ 45 mpg
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:20 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page