Possible 300TE 4matic purchase

[lee polowczuk]

I have been looking for a 124 wagon for awhile..... before all the anti 4matics weigh in...here me out.

1993 191k.. black on black nice.... it just had the transmission rebuilt and a neutral safety switch as well as new tires.

it needs a new rear view mirror and console wood which I have.

the transmission shifts a bit too firm...and I wonder if I can adjust the vacuum modulator.

he says 2800 firm, but on the phone mentioned 2500...

any thoughts.?

[TheDon]

If you do buy it nab as many 4matic transfer cases from the yards!

got any pics of this potential purchase, whats the history, any maintenance records?

[lee polowczuk]

Originally Posted by TheDon

If you do buy it nab as many 4matic transfer cases from the yards!

got any pics of this potential purchase, whats the history, any maintenance records?

This would be a disposable car at this price point..... if the transfer case went, it would be a parts car...

here's a link to some pics.... I have been looking for a long time...and there is not much out there.

car came from palm beach and beverly hills before that... i can see a newer alternator and master cylinder.... my guess it probably could use some valve stem seals... engine purrs as well as any....

Mercedes 1992 300TE 4Matic - $2800

[TheDon]

Looks pretty good to keep as a runner even if the transfer case took a dump

[Gilly]

OK, I heard you out.

RUN LIKE THE WIND!!!!!

In answer to your question, yes you can adjust the vacuum modulator. Or if it shifts reallyhard then test for vacuum at the line, maybe it is pinched or not connected.

But I'd run, very very fast.

Gilly

[lee polowczuk]

Originally Posted by Gilly

OK, I heard you out.

RUN LIKE THE WIND!!!!!

In answer to your question, yes you can adjust the vacuum modulator. Or if it shifts reallyhard then test for vacuum at the line, maybe it is pinched or not connected.

But I'd run, very very fast.

Gilly

I think I will take your advice. I do all my own work...but from what I have read, it's virtually impossible to fix a transfer case....it's a shame because it is a nice car.

[mbdoc]

The transfer case CAN be repaired by any good Auto trans repair shop!
If the parts are still available.

Of course you can always swap a 2 wheel drive trans & drive shaft into the chassis!
Have seen several of them around.

[pawoSD]

Thats a nice looking 124 wagon, if its running good I'd buy it and just convert it to rwd if the transfer case ever failed.

Also, why would someone in Florida own/drive a 4matic....in case of wet pavement??? Reminds me of Jeremy Clarkson's "4 wheel drive in case of wet leaves on the road" comment.

[lee polowczuk]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Thats a nice looking 124 wagon, if its running good I'd buy it and just convert it to rwd if the transfer case ever failed.

Also, why would someone in Florida own/drive a 4matic....in case of wet pavement??? Reminds me of Jeremy Clarkson's "4 wheel drive in case of wet leaves on the road" comment.

how do you convert.... don't you have to switch out drivelines and transmission......

it just had the transmission rebuilt.... so it would not be cost effective..

if you know another way.....that won't cost major bucks... i would be interested in hearing it

the car came to Palm Beach via Beverly Hills...don't know why you would need it in either place.... wagon is very nice

[pawoSD]

I believe the trans and driveshaft would be needed from a rwd car. Could always just keep an eye out for a transfer case to have around and have swapped in should the one in the car fail.

[OTTOBUNZ]

Originally Posted by lee polowczuk

how do you convert....

you put a piece of black tape over the 4matic warning light on the instrument panel after the tcase fails...

[duxthe1]

Don't listen to the naysayers. The 300TE 4-M is a wonderful car. The 4WD system isn't nearly as bad as people make it out to be, maintenance-wise, but function-wise, it is awesome. Mine is over 270K and I've owned it for the last 40K and I've spent more on brake pads than 4-M maintenance. The 4-M system has been down a few times.... brake light switch, OVP, warranty OVP, and p/s pump. The pump was a used part I swapped in with my engine, it didn't make pressure so I swapped the old pump back in after replacing a few seals. Despite almost 300K on the car, I regularly beat the ever loving dog **** out of the thing. If you could actually "break" a t-case, I'd have done it long ago. Worst case scenario it leaks internally and needs to be drained and the reservoir re-filled periodicly.

For the money you get load leveling, either more room than you know what to do with or more seats than you have people to ride with, automatic 4WD with a locking rear differential, the ability to carry **** on top of the car, a power latching tailgate, and the ability to out-handle everything M/B built back then excepting the 190E 16V. I challenge you to name another car in the price range that is on par.

You should buy the car right now, quick, before somebody else does.

[pwogaman]

Originally Posted by OTTOBUNZ

you put a piece of black tape over the 4matic warning light on the instrument panel after the tcase fails...

Good one.

The car looks like a good buy.

[Gilly]

Actually, it might make a good collector car. I wouldn't have to have it to depend on every day driving or let it go out of state.

You know it' sbad when MB didn't even use the 4matic name initially when the newer version came out. I had to put the 4matic lettering on the back of a number of them because they didn't know if they wanted to use that name on them again.

[pinkfloydfan810]

It IS going to need a RWD trans if you're going to do that. Buy it anyway. Transfer cases are not that awful to rebuild with proper knowledge and proper parts. PNP has plenty 4 Matics that I'm sure are junked due to rust, head gaskets, etc...