Should I or shouldn't buy an old, abandoned Mercedes 280E year 1993?

[tongsengasri]

Hi guys, my name is Erry & I'm new to this forum & thanks to let me in to this group. I live in Madrid and just arrived here 2 months ago and found an old Mercedes 280E 1993 in my office's garage & they want to destroy this car, me as a Mercedes lover can't let them do that! The car is still working but I think it needs a lot of work to do and me just arrived here in Madrid & have limited budget. My question; is it expensive to take care of this car from 0 to hero? Do you guys know or have references where to find a good 'street garage' or the cheap one to fix this car? Please let me know Asap before they destroy it. Thanks.

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[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Hello and welcome to the forum Erry! Do you know exactly what needs to get done to the car? We have very helpful step-by-step guides for various repairs for the W124 if you're able to do the work yourself (link below). Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can assist with any part needs.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W124 (1987-1995) Technical Articles - 300TE 24, 300CE 24, 300E 24, 300CE, 280E, 300E2.8, E280, 320TE, E320 - Pelican Parts

[Dubyagee]

If its a runner you could fix it as you drive. Liking the wheels.


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[Ivanerrol]

Originally Posted by Dubyagee

Liking the wheels.


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They would be plain old steel wheels with plastic covers

[Dubyagee]

Originally Posted by Ivanerrol

They would be plain old steel wheels with plastic covers

Just trying to build the dude up. Thanks


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[zakkkk]

Erry, how many miles on the car, can you tell?
Do you have the ownership documents?
The 124 chassis is very popular in the US now.
If it starts and runs bring it to an Mb mechanic to evaluate.
For a few euro you can get an accurate picture.
Also the mechanic may buy it from you for a few hundred???


Good luck.


jz

[sixto]

US cars if that vintage have wiring harness issues. Could be why it was abandoned. The main engine harness has a tag with a date code where it plugs into the modules behind the battery. A new harness costs about $700 in the US. Replacement takes basic skills and an understanding of how take apart MB connectors without breaking anything.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

[Sugar Bear]

Definitely worth evaluating the condition. Look for rust, and excessive mileage (over 250K miles) first. If it is an M104 2.8L L6 they were VERY nice cars. Judging from the picture that could be a gem. Over 250K miles it can get expensive to bring it back if it was not well maintained...transmission...suspension etc. My 93 was a 3.2L M104 that ran for 360K miles (not km) and was an absolute pleasure to drive.


Good luck and keep us posted!!!

[tongsengasri]

Originally Posted by Dmitry at Pelican Parts

Hello and welcome to the forum Erry! Do you know exactly what needs to get done to the car? We have very helpful step-by-step guides for various repairs for the W124 if you're able to do the work yourself (link below). Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can assist with any part needs.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W124 (1987-1995) Technical Articles - 300TE 24, 300CE 24, 300E 24, 300CE, 280E, 300E2.8, E280, 320TE, E320 - Pelican Parts

Thanks for the fast response Dmitry, well as far as I know, there's a leak of fuel from the right side under the passenger's seat on the back, the fan doesn't work for AC & heater, the compression of the engine I'd say no power at all, I have to step deep on the gas in order to make the car moves, it's a bit complicated for me to work it by myself because I have no tools, no place to get the works done, but I'll try whatever it takes to fix the easiest thing to do first.

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[tongsengasri]

Originally Posted by zakkkk

Erry, how many miles on the car, can you tell?
Do you have the ownership documents?
The 124 chassis is very popular in the US now.
If it starts and runs bring it to an Mb mechanic to evaluate.
For a few euro you can get an accurate picture.
Also the mechanic may buy it from you for a few hundred???


Good luck.


jz

Hello zakkk, it has two hundred thousands (kms) something, the document is kept by the boss here & complete. If I want to buy it, all I have to do is asking & pay for only couple of hundred euros, but I think you're right, maybe I should bring it to MB mechanic first, if you could tell me one of mechanic here in Madrid I really really appreciate it .

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[tongsengasri]

Originally Posted by sixto

US cars if that vintage have wiring harness issues. Could be why it was abandoned. The main engine harness has a tag with a date code where it plugs into the modules behind the battery. A new harness costs about $700 in the US. Replacement takes basic skills and an understanding of how take apart MB connectors without breaking anything.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

Yeap, that's what I have in mind because it is really really an old car & abandoned for years, re-wiring would be necessary if I buy this car, thanks sixto to remind me.

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[tongsengasri]

Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

Definitely worth evaluating the condition. Look for rust, and excessive mileage (over 250K miles) first. If it is an M104 2.8L L6 they were VERY nice cars. Judging from the picture that could be a gem. Over 250K miles it can get expensive to bring it back if it was not well maintained...transmission...suspension etc. My 93 was a 3.2L M104 that ran for 360K miles (not km) and was an absolute pleasure to drive.


Good luck and keep us posted!!!

Woow... Hearing from you make me want to bring this car to life , but well what can I say, I have a very limited budget & skill, maybe it' s better to get evaluated first from the MB mechanic, find out how much will I spend to fix all of the car's problems. Thanks so much Sugar Bear.

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[Hirnbeiss]

If it can't be started with fresh gas and a battery, I would pass on it.

Otherwise it is clearly a project car that will take your time and money (amount depending on your abilities and resourcefulness) and place to park and work on it.

[Diseasel300]

The question that needs to be going through your mind is two-fold:

1: How much work am I capable of doing to this car myself

and

2: Can I afford to resurrect and maintain it?

If the answer to #1 is very little and/or the answer to #2 is "no" or "maybe", then walk away. A car that's sat is going to require a lot of labor, TLC, and swearing to bring back to daily driver status. Money is also a factor, the old saying is "There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes".

If you're not a DIY person, run, don't walk away from an old car of ANY make/model. They all require maintenance and paying a shop to do everything will quickly clean out your wallet.

[tongsengasri]

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

The question that needs to be going through your mind is two-fold:

1: How much work am I capable of doing to this car myself

and

2: Can I afford to resurrect and maintain it?

If the answer to #1 is very little and/or the answer to #2 is "no" or "maybe", then walk away. A car that's sat is going to require a lot of labor, TLC, and swearing to bring back to daily driver status. Money is also a factor, the old saying is "There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes".

If you're not a DIY person, run, don't walk away from an old car of ANY make/model. They all require maintenance and paying a shop to do everything will quickly clean out your wallet.

I really really like and quiet agree with this quote : "There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes".

Well for now I really have to let it go, I'll have another better MB when the time is right. Thanks for the advice Diseasel300, really appreciate it.

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