Quote:
Originally Posted by wbain5280
Ok, so welcome to the forum fellow 300SE owner. Do you have tools and are you able to work on cars?
The car has 211,500 miles on it. It has been diagnosed (by the same mechanic who sold it to me -- did I mention I don't go to him anymore? ) as needing a complete transmission replacement. It burns oil, usually needing two or three extra quarts of oil in between 3,000 mile oil changes.
First change the trans fluid and don't forget to drain the converter, there is a drain plug. These engine use oil and 1000 miles per quart is considered normal. There are two leak points, the rear passenger side of the head and the front passenger side of the upper chain cover. Sealing the latter is easy, the former requires you to pull the head.
The RPMs seem too high to me. I've seen on this forum and I've also been told that it can be okay for the RPMs to stay this high, but it concerns me because the engine sounds like it's laboring, and the car didn't always run this hard at high speeds. As a rule of thumb, the RPMs are half my speed. So at 70 miles an hour, the needle stays firmly on 3,500, and I cannot hear the car shift. According to a couple of mechanics, it's lost fourth gear.
The RPM is normal, at 60 mph mine turns about 3000. These engines are tough but they need to rev high for such a large car. They usually have a V8 in them.
Apparently, it needs power steering repairs, too. I'm making sure the power steering fluid gets topped off regularly because according to my current mechanic, the power steering system leaks in several places. I've never actually seen it leak, but I know by the noise and the fluid level that it must be leaking at least marginally.
Check the rubber return lines from the steering gear to the cooler loop and to the reservoir. If the gear is leaking, get a used one from a yard. Again, you need tools.
Now my car needs rear brake calipers very soon. It could also use some body work; the hood is somewhat dented, and the front chrome needs to be replaced.
How do you know it needs rear calipers? Rear pads I can see but the calipers should last a long time. You can get another hood from the junk yard. The chrome is also available from the same recycler.
You're probably going to need front end work, ball joints, tie rods, bushings, but don't worry, there is allot of info available here. I've done most of this myself. Mine leaks oil from the rear head, I've done the entire front suspension, replaced the steering gear, new tires etc.
Where do you live?
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Thanks for your response. I live in Arizona.
No, I don't have the tools, time, or expertise to work on the car myself. That's why I'm unsure about keeping it. I have had problems finding and keeping a good mechanic.
This car has a V6 engine. The brakes and power steering system repairs have been recommended by my mechanic. He said the calipers in the right rear brake are worn to 80%. The other side is only worn to 20%, and the front are fine. The whole power steering system has minor leaks. Apparently, the former owner never replaced any part of it in 18 years.
So the RPMs are normal? I have been told that once, but, as I said, I've also been told that the car is "dying and desperately needs a new tranny" and that I'm burning out the engine. I'm concerned more about the laboring of the car than the RPMs. It shifts roughly and is slow to pick up. Once it gets going, the car handles beautifully (of course, it IS a Benz).
I have considered keeping and repairing the car, but every time I take it in, something else is going wrong. To me, the mileage is abnormally high. I didn't know the original owner at all, and I have no idea how or where she drove. I bought the car through a broker.
Thanks for your help. If I had a truly reputable mechanic or the facilities to work on it myself, I wouldn't even think of selling the car.
For future reference: how much you would say the car is worth generally? Without even seeing it, a dealer said it "wouldn't matter" towards a new car. I think it's worth at least $1,500, myself.
I'm thinking of keeping it as the extra family car, rather than my commuter. If it will last another year without any expensive repairs, I probably will do so. Is that feasible?