Quote:
Originally Posted by mbzman
Looks like a well sorted W140. How many miles on it?
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Thanks. It has around 200K, most of which are freeway miles. Average of 10K miles per year. Garage kept, so that has helped preserve the interior.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thayer
regarding that baggie of Keys: They are for cable locks typically used for computer equipment. They may also be associated with bike locks, small safes, and Safety deposits boxes. I would be extremely surprised if they were utilized by the Germans in 1992.
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Thanks! Well thats what I was thinking too. The owner wasnt sure either, I am guessing they may have been placed in there by mistake by a detailer or a repair shop or something. Who knows what all can happen in 20 years. lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gilly
Man, if I was going to pick up a W140, I would have picked a 6 cylinder, they are WAY lighter 
The keys look familiar to me, I was working in a dealership back when this would have been new. It's just a barrel key, could have been for lots of different stuff. Is there a brand on the key head?
What comes to mind first are aftermarket wheels. They had these fairly poplular wheels that were chrome and had a large circular disc that covered the wheel bolt area, typically with a gold MB star on it, and the cover was held on with a single bolt with a head that used this type of key.
I also saw a car that came in with an aftermarket lock over the hood release lever that I believe used a barrel key as well.
Last thought would be a hidden storage compartment, maybe you haven't even found it yet! Check around the spare tire well.
Good car! |
Thanks! Well I didnt see a name on the key, only 4 numbers. You can kinda see them on the one of the keys there in the pic. I bet it was cool working in a MB dealer in '93. I was still in the 10th/11th grade in the 1993 year. lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pawoSD
Very nice car! So clean!
Those little keys are commonly used on luggage, servers, small vending equipment....etc. I would bet they go to a set of luggage.
Or, if the car came with a lockbox or cd changer or something in it (trunk?) they might go to that.
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Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MAVA
Great looking car!
Look through the service records for the replacement of heater tee. I would change that sucker in a "New York Second"
Best of luck with your car. They require more attention, but they are the best cars to drive on the planet.
Martin
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Thanks! Well I looked through some of the records today, there are so many! I didnt notice anything about a "heater tee". Is this what you are talking about in the pic below?
I also went through more service records. I was pleased to see that in 2008 that not only the A/C evaporator was replaced, but also the dryer, receiver and heater core was also replaced. Not sure if this is standard practice or not when the evaporator is replaced... maybe so since they are already in there. This set the owner back nearly $3200! That is only $150 less than I paid for the entire car! I knew this repair wasnt a cheap one, which is why when I purchased a W140, I wanted that to have already been addressed.
There is also a receipt in there for an "actuator" being replaced? Not sure what that is on this car, but that bill was over $1700. I also found a receipt from the dealer where they replaced the instrument cluster in November of 1995 under warranty. That explains why is has the electronic odometer instead of the "wheel" type. The paper said that the oil pressure indicator was "bouncing" on the gauge, but pressure was fine and said that cluster was faulty. Seems like this was a problem on the early W140. Also as mentioned, the engine wiring harness was replaced in 2002. Part was around $440 and labor was $375 if I recall. Also, valve cover gaskets were recently replaced back in April, so I was happy to see that as well. The list goes on and on.
I am not sure if the lower body harness has been replaced or not. I didnt see any records of that, nor do I know the best way to check to see if that wiring is OK. I really didnt realize that could be an issue until after I had purchased the car. I thought only the engine wiring harness were the ones to go bad. There are no current electrical issues with the car so far, no warning lights on, etc. Hoping it has been replaced in the past, or is still OK. I looked under the hood today a little and these were the only wires I could even see exposed under the hood and they still look fine from what I can tell. These may be part of the engine harness though rather than the body harness?
and an overall shot of the engine...
The mechanic that has been working on the car for years told me the only thing he recommended was motor mounts to get the car super smooth again. I didnt think anything about it when I test drove it, but when driving home I did notice a little vibration through the steering wheel when accelerating at low speeds. I guess this is what he was talking about. They quoted me $850 (parts/labor) to replace these, but I am going to call some other Mercedes/German auto repair shops to get a quote from them.