1988 300TE with 210K on the clock. Almost mint interior, good re-painted exterior, california car. Overall an 8/10 visually. Dealer wanted $7000 but the car needed the rear suspension redone, new head gasket, new rear window lifter, couple other minor fixes. Paid $3200. Probably a fair price although my pre-purchase inspection failed to notice some climate control issues which have cost an unexpected $500 so far to remediate. I still need a new pushbutton unit which new runs another 5 or 250 for a reman.

A reputable foreign car shop that knows the market says everything is very low now on used cars with hi mileage, even on Mercedes. Not everyone is knowlegeable about cars and willing to fix them themselves or have them fixed...I guess that really favors Benz fans.


http://mywebpages.comcast.net/snow7ice/BENZ.html

'89 300E Black/Black 193K. $4100 Mint condition interior, exterior has a few little dings. PO put in new JVC stereo/CD.

I have replaced the chrome rims and a few cosmetic items.

Mechanically, I had the timing chain replaced (it wasn't broken--just did it because of the high mileage) and had to replace the catalytic converter. Also put new shocks on the front end.

Question: I just hit 200K and want to take a trip to the midwest for a high school reunion this summer, approx 3K miles RT. I've read where MB's can go forever if serviced, etc. Think I could chance it?

92 500sel 138kmiles grey/grey, 4xseats,Kenwood Excelon $7800

86 560sel 135kmiles blu/grey, $1400


(yes, I got a very good deal, on both cars).


-David

1992 300SD(140 turbo diesel) Paid $24,600 in 1999 ..car had 85K miles

One owner ....Brilliant Silver(which was the color I wanted)
I got a fair deal...but nothing to talk about




Warren
1992 300SD 177K
Columbus Ohio

I just picked up my first Mercedes, a 1983 300SD with 205,000 miles on the clock. I got it from the second owner, who received it from his father @ 50,000 miles. I'm totally hooked on these cars already. I paid only $550.00 for her because of leaky fuel lines under the tank. The interior was almost showroom but for some crinkly vinyl covering on the door posts around the seatbelt fasteners. Basically the guy wanted it off his lawn. The exhaust was shot and now I'm running it with straight pipes to compete with all the noisy Hogs around here, but I'm going to get a custom stainless exhaust built for around the same money as a dealer's price. .
This car totally makes sense, even if the rest of the world doesn't!

__________________
Brian

Congratulations Brian. That must be the least expensive, truly arms-length MB transaction in recorded history.

I paid $10,500 for my 1994 E420 with 55,600 on the clock. I have spent another grand so far and I still need to sort out a rear end sway that has me stumped. I guess I will have to take it to the stealer, uhm I mean dealer. Here are a few pics. I bought just how she is minus the front clears.

I paid $10,500 for my 1994 E420 just how she sits minus the front clear indicators. I have prolly spent another 1k to 1.5k and still have a rear end sway that has me stumped. I guess I will have to take her in and see if the dealer can sort it out. Here are a few pics of her.

Andy

Interior picture.

A nice little rear.

Hi All
My first two MB's were purchased new from a dealer so I didn't get a good deal.

1986-paid 37k for a 1985-380SL with 1200miles. She is still in my stable and going strong with 90k on the clock. I get more compliments on her then I do on my E320Cabriolet. That I purchased in 1996 for 55k with 2200 miles on the clock. She is now my garage queen. I am hoping that someday the E cab will be looked at like the 1970-280SE 3.5 cabriolet.
Now for my great deal. Last august purchased a 1994E320Sedan from the orginal owner with 48k on the clock for 11.5 The guy had all service records and was a true MB fanatic. Sold due to poor health. She is my daily driver with 65k on the clock. At the 60k service I also put new front brakes/rotors. cost $1500.00
Just put new pirelli 4000 super tourning tires for $340.00.
I love my MB's. Looking for a 90-91 560sec to add to the stable.
Thanks. Happy driving.

joe moon

__________________
joe moon/95Benzman

1995 E320 sedan , bought in 6/99 with 46Kmi for $24.2K.

Dealer was asking around $30K plus then. 116Kmi now, has no major repair except regular maintenance (DYIer). Brake wear is a killer, I think (3 sets of front pads, 1 set of rotor, rear and parking brake service coming up).

I got it from a local car broker. He goes to auction on lease returned car directly from MB factory somewhere east coast. I'm from WA and the car originally came from Georgia/Massachuset).

Good luck hunting for the right "Merciless Beast".

OK,
1987 260E 80K miles $4500 in 1998
1988 300E 160K miles $3850 in 2002
1995 S500 77K miles $30000 in 2001
1994 E420 128K miles $6500 in 2004
1998 528i 53k miles $15900 in 2004 (4sale)

I enjoyed reading all this post from p1 to p13.
After taking my 260E to a local benz shop and being told that I will probably have to make more repairs and maintenance to the car than a typical Japanese car, I didn't understand and asked why people drive these cars (MB) instead of camrys and accords that are littering our streets. After a few months of MB ownership I am willing to spend an extra time and money on some repairs than to drive a japanese car... I had done some work on my 300E and just love the way everything is designed and fitted together, it is just beautiful...
I have to admit that I love the W124 body style more than any other. It fits me like a glove.
I love my 94 E420 it is very fast economical and safe. 0-60 in a little over 6 sec, 25 mpg, total actual cost under 10K and it looks as good as any 2000 or even 2003 other makes. Although I think that the 300E's handle better than the E420 in cornering and road feel.
I agree with some other with the opinion that newer mb's are not as well built, perhaps the less expensive line. Think about it $40K+ in 1986 for an E-class is worth about $85k in today's money, counting inflation. Plus, in the early days MB didn't have to worry about competition from we know who. Nevertheless cars age and if I choose to buy newer, I will probably stick with MB. Although I drove a 99 E320 and preferred the ride and feel of my older W124.
I sold my S500 for $33K after 6mo of ownership, gave my 260E to my sister and still have the 88 300E, which I hate to sell after spending about $3500 on it over the last two years.
I think my next car will probably be an earlier vw bus to restore and adore...

__________________
88 300E Sold(1.4k Ebay in 05)
95 S500sold ($33k in 01)
87 260E Donated
94 E420

1993 300D $6700 159K miles
1983 300D $5000 145K miles

both nice cars..

__________________
2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976