Hello all,
I have a 88 300E W124 (with the 103 engine). I bought the car brand new in 1988. Right now, it has 240,000 km (150,000 miles) and the body and interior of the car are perfect. However, it's leaking oil like crazy (I think the valve cover gasket is bad) and it probably needs a valve job anyway. Also, the air conditioner doesn't work...evaporator is leaking, receiver/drier is leaking, compressor seal is leaking, and probably some hose is leaking as well.

The MB dealer that gave me the best quote for the fixing the above problems is:

1) Valve job - including valve cover gasket, valve springs etc. $2,000 CDN ~ $1,500 US.

2) A/C repair - replace everything as described above plus conversion to R-134a $3,000 CDN ~ $2,300 US.

Total: $5,000 CDN ~ $3,800 US

The car, as it stands right now, is worth about $8,000 CDN.

So, I would like to get some opinion from this group. Should I keep the car and spend $5,000 CDN fixing it and enjoy it (maybe for another 5 years?) or should I just sell the car as is and get $8,000 CDN cash? I know I can't buy a used car in a condition that's as good as my car for $8,000...

So, What do you think?

Thanks.

Definately keep it. The cost of finding a used car that would last five years outweighs the cost of repair (unless you bought another Benz, and even with that you *know* this car) Of course, I am partial to running cars until they can't run any more. If this car was fixed would you be happy with it?

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83 TDT 110K

Do the valve cover and front upper cover gasket at first if it runs OK and the air...Wait 6 mos. or so and then do the valve job. Good luck

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Hi,

Just an update on my car....
I've taken your good advice and
1) repaired the valve cover and front upper cover gasket
2) the air conditioning system.
3) Air Flow Sensor
4) New Radiator
5) 240,000 km (48,000km) service

Costed me a total of $3300 CDN...an amazing deal I think. It's performed by an MB certified mechanic who has worked for MB for 24 years. He left MB and started his own business 2 years ago.

So far, there's no oil leak. When my car was being repaired, my mechanic lent me his 86 300E. It has a lot more power than my car (my car is a 1988). I asked him about it...and he told me that he had a valve job done 1 year ago. Honestly, his car drives like my car when it was new! He said that my car probably has a few cylinders losing compression.

My question is: will a valve job restore compression in the cylinders (hence restore power to the car) and prevent further oil leak? He said he can do it for ~$1500 CDN. Also, is there any way that I can check if my cylinders are losing compression?

Thanks in advance.

[This message has been edited by E. Lee (edited 07-02-1999).]

The valve job will help for sure, but be advised, it is not a cure all and should only be done if you are using more than 1 QT of oil every 800mi or so. MB says 1litre every 600mi.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM