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...

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.

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.

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?

Depends on what you want to do. You can get some awsome deals on W210's these days.

I agree. Especially if you LOVE driving the vehicle. Nothing handles quit as nice as a "seasoned" MB on the open road....

Mistress, I will remind you that you said this the next time Maxine "comes down with something!" :D

BITE ME.

Easy, now!
 

Hee, hee, hee! Don't get testy with ME.:eek:

What else is wrong with it? Rust? Upolstery?...

I'm sure there are poorly rebuilt units, but I'm sure there is a well-regarded rebuilder of these transmissions in the Dallas area.

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.

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.

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!!!

I thought she'd give you a pass on this one as you just traded in her SL500 for a newer CLK cabriolet?:P

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?:confused:

If the body is solid... you know what to do... ;)

Just think how great that thing will feel with a new drive line. :D

Yep the solution is odvious, trade the wife in on a new model.:D

You so need a sexy black SL600 with a 25 year old blonde seat cover next to you...:eek: :D

http://www.geocities.com/batman_927/bikini_3.jpg

See thats who you can pick up with your currant ride.

http://home.student.uu.se/pata6927/site/merc5.jpg
But this ride, will get you this:

http://thumb.shutterstock.com/photos...44507206,1.jpg

Any questons?:confused: :D

I also have a '93 300E (124.032). Just had the head gasket replaced @143K miles ($1500). one down. :rolleyes:
The other likely and "expensive" failure is the engine wiring hardness. :mad:

Like the others says, if the body is good, I'd fix it. Love the feel of an MB.:silly:

I sold!

If there were no kids involved I might support Hattie's plan... what you need is to shop out a good tranny source and then come up with a good party line and then stick with it. Here I'll get you started: "Honey, I looked into a variety of used car options and there just isn't a car out there that won't end up being a money pit until you have spent at least 10 grand on one... so I decided I'm going to fix my old car and spend the rest on you." :D

Hmmm...GOOD one! :D

Wifey doesn't have final say on things...but we do discuss options with each other.

But yeah, she drives the newest MB in the fleet, but balks at my attempts to revive the 13-yr. old MB?

In situations such as this I like to point out that the cost to repair the transmission is less than the sales tax on a new car. Assuming you buy something moderately lame such as an Acura TSX for $30K, the Texas sales tax is $1,875. That will cover the entire transmission and make a solid down payment on the head gasket.

The tradeoff is a new car _will_ be more reliable than a 14 year old MB.

In my mind the question comes down to which offends you less: paying taxes you can avoid, or dealing with an older car?

- JimY

I would look at used Honda, Nissan Toyota etc.
5yrs old 100K Is a good time to buy, car has lost
much of it's value but still should last much longer.