Acquired lovely new car

[pentoman]

Hey,

I (my family) have just acquired a new MB - an '88 W124 with 213,000 miles.
It's a 300TE, and a 4matic surprisingly, which I don't believe has ever gone wrong.

What should I check on the car before it starts real use?
It's an M104 3.0 188bhp presumably (no catalyst) - and is giving out a little blue smoke and using a little oil, should I be worried, or just prepare for a valve stem/guide job?

Anything on the suspension / 4 matic to check?

It is blue (poss. metallic - don't remember),
Interior is in good condition, I believe leather (haven't seen the car for a few weeks), and it had an autobox recondition at around 180,000 mls.

Does anyone have a similar mileage W124 ?


thanks,

Russ

P.S. On a more ridiculous note, what can I transplant to my W201 to improve it ? The engine maybe? - how hard is that :-)

Russ,

If you've got a USA model 4matic from '88, you've got the M103 (177 hp) vs the M104 version. The M104 was a 4 valve head and the M103 had two valves. Also, at that mileage it would be hard to believe the transfer case hasn't been changed out already. The orignal xfer cases lasted on average about 75 k miles. the updated version supposedly had a better design with a steel sleeve in the operating piston's cylinder to prevent the leakage that doomed the originals. That being said, I know other 4matic owners who have replaced their xfer cases several times.

You mention no catalyst. If it's a Euro version does it show km's or miles on the odo? Are you in the US or in Europe?

The car is wonderful to drive if maintained properly. First thing I'd do is "renew" all fluids: brake, tranny, xfer case, rear diff (use MB Limited Slip Fluid), coolant, and oil if you don't know when it was changed last. Ensure the front end is straight and all the brakes are good. Valve guides are probably ready for a change. The seals can be changed, but at that mileage I'd expect the guides are worn and you'd get little life out of the new seals with the valves wobbling around in worn guides.

Check the repair order for the "Autobox recondition" and see if it was the tranny or the transfer case. If the tranny was rebuilt, hopefully they knew what they were doing and replaced all of your friction plates and wear items.

Good luck!!

someguyfromMaryland

[pentoman]

someguyfromMaryland (!)

thanks for your notes!

I'm in England (check my 'location' bit!), and saw the car again today - it's done 214,000 miles (we work in miles in England, thank God). The autobox was done by the same transmission specialist as mine. I'm sure they knew what they are doing, so they'll have done any necessary work. I remember riding in it before it was done, it was slipping lots at low speeds, and would then suddenly bang into gear and go.

You're right - its an M103 engine, but without catalyst you get 188 bhp (in the owners manual, and on http://www.ollihart.de/mercedes/pkw/start.html )
I'm still fairly sure the 4matic has never had work (my dad has maintained it since almost new.. and he says so!).. I know it can be dodgy, and am very surprised. Of course, I'm not sure if it works either!

The interior is in good condition, and very solid.. electric seats / bootlid / aerial all work.
I'll get all the fluids changed ASAP.

thanks

Russ

here are some pics I took - it could probably do with a clean and minor cosmetics!

[Thai GI]

1. I’m now assigned here in the UK, and we brought an 88 260E California from the states with us, it has over 260K on it.

2. Hey do you have an oil leak problem? Ours has this problem it’s suppose to be common in the 103 engines, I’m going to reseal the front timing cover when I replace the timing chain.

3. I also have an 87 190E and brought it with us too as for parts a lot of them are used in both cars it’s very helpful to troubleshoot sometimes just switch parts to see if it’s faulty, but be careful doing this with electronic modules if you have a short it could blow the other unit as well.

We can get together about cars sometime if you like, I’m close to Oxford and my wife is from Ipswich so nothing is to far for me.

Thai GI sends…

[pentoman]

I don't think it's leaking oil, just burning a lot of it! Thankfully all the electrics seem to be OK, even the climate control and electric seats.
Do your 260E and 190E have leather and/or MBtex? I find the 190s MBtex just as nice as the 300's leather,

Russ

[Thai GI]

1. Both have MBtex, yes I do agree on the quality of MBtex.

2. On my 190E it has a few rips here and there from age, it’s common to have wear and tear at the side lumbar supports on the side that you get in, your case on the right nearest to the door.

3. On the 260 however it’s still OK, I guess the 190 been in the hot sun of Thailand then cold winters of Iceland. I just brought the 260 about a year ago from friend in California. The 190 I have for about 11 years and it has seen the world.

Thai GI sends…

[Ashman]

hey pentoman, can you see if you can get a part number for your drivers side mirror on the car? I am trying to figure out if its feasable to make the mirrors on my car symmetrical, and your right hand drive car has the smae mirror on the right as my left hand drive car has on its left side.

Was thinking it might be a neat modification if the electrics can be modified to work with it.

Just curious as to the part number, so I can see if I can source one for messing with.

Alon

[pentoman]

Sure! But I'm at college at the moment, so it will be a few weeks..

Will let you know

Russ

I am doing a similar thing with my 560SEL. I have acquired a power drivers mirror and a 124 selector switch to allow me to choose the left or right mirror. Haven't fitted it yet though.