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#1
11-21-2006, 07:56 AM
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Another "keep or sell?" thread...my 93 300E
My indie announced the dreaded head gasket failure issue...the tranny is already slipping so I am hunting for a replacement. Got almost 170K on the clock.
The body is straight and the interior is pretty nice IMHO. But it appears that I will be in for waay more $$$ just to get nominal driveability, unless I can yank a decent drivetrain out of a wrecked W124.. I can probably drive it for another six months or so before it gets too bad to drive at all, so I have time to consider my options. I LOVE the car and I really am not in the mood to look at anything new enough that I have to stare down a multi-year car note yet again. Plus, I'm not too confident about the reliability of the newer MBs and will probably end up looking at a Honda, Nissan or Toyota. I probably already know what I should do, but I am entertaining any and all opinions...
__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle 2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car 2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver 2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car 
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#2
11-21-2006, 08:21 AM
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How much of the problems with late models are due to unrealistic expectations? The expectations have got to be really high for two reasons, I think.
1. M-B have a tradition of reliability. That tradition came from an era of simple mechanical and electro-mechanical designs, reaching their zenith (IMO) with the W123. The W126 and W124 ushered-in the era of electric convenience items and automotive electronics. At first it was rather simple and easily tested. But in the decades since the 1980's the electronics have gotten tremendously complex. Complexity tempts fate and fate is never kind. When compared to the Japanese luxury cars, the M-B's since the W124 have suffered. Why? because the Japanese rebuilt their country, post-WWII, on electronics invention, design, and marketing. When I was a kid we differentiated radios from transistor radios. Transistor radios were, in only a few years, almost exclusively Japanese because the Japanese made cheap and increasingly reliable portable radios. Thus, the Japanese had nearly 40 years of electronics design and manufacturing head start. It was a small matter for them to take their excellent design and production methods into automobiles. Contrast that with English & European electronics. 2. Plunk-down big bucks for a car the sucker better work. I know a couple of guys here locally that have bought 2006 M-B's and are very pleased with them. No problems and they say the cars are fun and comfortable. You can bet if they weren't pleased that everybody they know would hear about it.
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#3
11-21-2006, 10:55 AM
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Get some prices on a used drivetrain with warranty. Compare that with the purchase price of another car that you do not love, and go from there.
__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles 2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed 2005 Toyota Sienna 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible 1999 Toyota Tacoma
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#4
11-21-2006, 12:09 PM
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Locally here in Southern California, you can get a rebuilt tranny for your car with a one year warranty for $1,500, installed.
A head gasket will cost you arount $1,200 - $1,500. So you're looking at $3,000 to get it back on the road? Is it worth it to you? Only you can decide. What can you buy for $3,000 to replace it?
__________________
Paul S. 2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior. 79,200 miles. 1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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#5
11-21-2006, 12:16 PM
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Depends on what you want to do. You can get some awsome deals on W210's these days.
__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200
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#6
11-21-2006, 04:10 PM
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Quote:
__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process." 2012 SLK 350 1987 420 SEL
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#7
11-21-2006, 04:13 PM
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Quote:
__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century  OBK #55 1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles 2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles 2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles
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#8
11-21-2006, 04:29 PM
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Quote:
__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process." 2012 SLK 350 1987 420 SEL
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#9
11-21-2006, 04:31 PM
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Easy, now!
Hee, hee, hee! Don't get testy with ME.
__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century OBK #55 1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles 2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles 2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles
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#10
11-21-2006, 04:40 PM
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Quote:
__________________
-Marty 1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible (Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one) Reading your M103 duty cycle: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831799&postcount=13 http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831807&postcount=14
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#11
11-21-2006, 08:11 PM
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Quote:
Heck, If Mr. Motors can buy and install them for $1,500 in Southern California, I'm sure there is a similar outfit in Texas.
__________________
Paul S. 2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior. 79,200 miles. 1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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#12
11-21-2006, 09:41 PM
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Since you love the car and are familiar with it's history, I would vote you make the needed repairs.
The W124 300E sedan is a proven and durable design, and as long as yours hasn't suffered terminal rust, I'd be inclined to keep it. Of course you have asked on a forum dedicated to keeping them on the road, you can't expect too many answers suggesting a new Toyota Corolla.
__________________
 1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ... 1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold) 2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp 1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k 2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive  (sold)
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#13
11-21-2006, 10:16 PM
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Keep 'em coming...
My wife is screaming the loudest so far regarding cutting my losses and moving on...but she hasn't offered any real alternatives, only that I not spend any more money on the car. Being in Texas throughout its life (me and the PO), there isn't a speck of rust anywhere on the car. The seats are worn but not tattered (nothing a little Leatherique couldn't fix). I had replaced the cracked center console a few years ago, and installed a wood shifter and chrome shift surround as well. The only interior issue is the sagging headliner (we trade salt and corrosive elements for excessive heat breakdown of adhesives). Plus, I HATE the thought of taking on another several years of crippling car payments!!!
__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle 2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car 2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver 2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car
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#14
11-21-2006, 10:20 PM
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Quote:
 I mean, what's the deal, she not only determines what she drives but also what you do with your money on your own car? 
__________________
Paul S. 2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior. 79,200 miles. 1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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#15
11-21-2006, 10:32 PM
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Quote:
 Just think how great that thing will feel with a new drive line.
__________________
-Marty 1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible (Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one) Reading your M103 duty cycle: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831799&postcount=13 http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831807&postcount=14
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