Thoughts on 92 400E? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

EricKadison · #1 10-30-2002, 11:55 PM

Hi all,

I've got the opportunity to buy a 92 400E with 108k mi here in S. Cal. The car has been well cared for by the owner. All service by Fletcher Jones MB. He spent a lot of $ on lots of stuff, like evaporator, P/S pump, A/T valves, oil leaks (no head gasket), brake discs, and on. No wiring harness. This would supplement my 93 300E 2.8 which has 140k mi and is doing fine. He's asking USD 11,500.

Any thoughts,
TIA,

Lebenz · #2 10-31-2002, 12:25 AM

I like mine!

I'd suggest a few things. The first is to have a valve cover removed to see if there is any sludge build up. If there is sludge, don’t buy it. The second is to have the timing chain & rails replaced, provided it hasn’t already been done. The mileage is close to a major tune up. Brakes are probably also about due. It might need a wire harness. See if you can negotiate some of this. Even if you can’t, providing, of course it is in good shape, I know you will enjoy it and consider it a very good value. The 400e is a lot like the 300e but a little more so. It goes and stops faster, is a little quieter, and while it corners well, it is not quite the same feel as the 300e. There is a nice write up on the 400e on this site, under the Cars tab on the top of the display. Once you get settled, definitely go for the sway bars out of the 500e and you will find the car a delight.

Enjoy

400E · #3 11-01-2002, 08:02 PM

Sounds like a reasonable price to me. I have 119k miles on mine and plan to at least double this mileage. The bottom ends of these engines are phenomenal, with silicon impregnated cylinder walls. On the other hand, I don't want to know how much a valve job would be ....

Be aware that repairs are more expensive on the 400E/500E compared to the 300E due to difficulty with access to many components. Not a deal breaker, in my opinion, but something to know about.

EricKadison · #4 11-02-2002, 02:09 PM

Thank you, both. I bought the car yesterday. Don't think it has had the chain/rails replaced yet. And I think it will need motor mounts soon. But it cost USD 10,000. So I'll deal with those issues as they come about. Today, those wheels need balancing badly, ...

Lebenz · #5 11-02-2002, 02:17 PM

Way to go Eric! First thing I did after getting mine was to replace the wheels/tires with 16” wheels and wider tires per a recommendation from this site. Made the car feel a whole lot better. Hope you enjoy for many years to come! Can you post a pix of your new baby??

suginami · #6 11-02-2002, 05:41 PM

I also live in So. Cal., and habitually look at the prices of used Mercedes everyday, and $10,000 for a '92 400E is a good price, especially with the service record at Fletcher Jones.

I'd have the timing chain checked for stretch right away. You're just about due for a timing chain replacement, along with new guide rails and probably a new tensioner.

The car must be in great shape.

How is it optioned? What color is the interior / exterior?

amg280 · #7 11-02-2002, 09:00 PM

Congrats on the new ride!! You will love it! With very few modifications, you have yourself a VERY special car.

Best of luck

blackmercedes · #8 11-02-2002, 11:46 PM

I personally think the 400E/E420 is the best of the W124 body. They're a fraction of the cost of an E500 to buy, with a great deal of the performance available. Our member amg280 has added the 2.82 final drive ratio, which puts the 400E very close to 500E territory.

Even with the factory 2.24, the car is a peach. V-8 power, solid chassis, and much better handling than the S-Class cars.

David E Davis had a long term test car once, and I've never heard him say such things about a car. For years he raved about what an incrediable car the 400E was.

While it uses too much gas for my peronsal taste, and the cost of maintaining the V-8 long term also makes me hesitate, if I were shopping for a W124, a 400E would top my list.

Congrats, and welcome...

400E · #9 11-03-2002, 10:00 AM

Gee, John, I thought my gas mileage was pretty good! I've never gotten less than 20 mpg in town, and routinely get 26 on the road... not bad for a 3700 lb vehicle with a V-8 ...

suginami · #10 11-03-2002, 01:27 PM

Yeah, people assume the 400E / E420 gets much worse gas mileage than the six cylinders, but the decline in mpg is only 1 mpg less, both in city and highway driving.

And I agree with blackmercedes, I think the 400E / E420's are the best of the W124's. The 500E / E500's are obviously worth more and are faster, but considering value for your money, you can't beat the 400E. You're getting 85% of the performance a 500E at less than half the price. And the premium of a 400E is only about $1k more than a similar year 300E / E320.

Lebenz · #11 11-03-2002, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by suginami
And I agree with blackmercedes, I think the 400E / E420's are the best of the W124's. The 500E / E500's are obviously worth more and are faster, but considering value for your money, you can't beat the 400E. You're getting 85% of the performance a 500E at less than half the price. And the premium of a 400E is only about $1k more than a similar year 300E / E320.

Not only that but the 400e permits simply bolting-on most 500e suspension components, enableing nice and stealthy improvements on the handling front.

mossimmo · #12 02-03-2003, 11:26 AM

I have an opportunity to buy a 92 400E with a lot of miles, 165K. I can have it for $6,000, the car is very clean, runs perfect, decent records.

Problems, A/C freon leaks, what's the most common problem with it?

How long do these cars go? What should I be on the lookout for?

Please advise.

Eddie

blackmercedes · #13 02-03-2003, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mossimmo
How long do these cars go?

How long is a piece of string? No one knows for sure.

The freon leak might the evaporator. Good sized bill for that.

EricKadison · #14 02-07-2003, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mossimmo

Problems, A/C freon leaks, what's the most common problem with it?

I've heard numbers like USD 1500 for evaporator replacement. Problem is that its in the lowest bowels behind the dashboard -- big expense is getting there and putting it all back together again.

I'm really happy with mine. About 112,000 mi. I've only had the oil changed, so far, which was about USD50. A 15k mi service will be coming in another 3k.

As opposed to the others in this thread, I'm getting 17-18 mpg.

Eric

EricKadison · #15 02-07-2003, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mossimmo

Problems, A/C freon leaks, what's the most common problem with it?

Once again. It just occured to me to ask where the freon leaks are. We've all assumed it's in passenger compartment and pointed at the evaporator. If the leak is in the engine compartment, it could be hoses, fittings or the compressor. The biggest thing there, the compressor, should cost under USD1000. If that's it, ask around here. Others will know the cost better than I.

Eric