I looked at a 300E today with 124K on it they are asking $3,995. The car is in very good shape except at around 40 MPH there is a vibration in the drive shaft. This goes away as you increase speed. The owner said that the drive shaft bearings need replacement. I am mechaincally inclined at think it may by the CV joints. Any suggestions on how easy the bearings are to replace or if it is even them. Any idea if this is a good price. This will be my first MB. Is there anything else that I need to look at that is a recurring problem with this model MB.

Thanks for your help

I would bet on a bad flex disk, trannsmission mount and/or a bad carrier bearing support. Either will allow the driveshaft to vibrate at resonance speed (about 40 mph in your case).

I'd replace the front flex disk as a matter of course, they only last about 60,000 miles in these cars because the "softening" molded in fails. Gives a harder shift than you should be getting, too.

The u-joint in the driveshaft is not replaceable, should give you an indication of how often it needs to be done.

Rear axles can go bad, too, but that vibration is distinctly from the rear.

Check the differential mounts in the rear subframe as well by jacking on the diff -- if the bolts on the rear are'nt centered well and move from the lower part of the mount a lot when you jack on the diff, they are shot. Big PITA to change, but worth it.

If the problem is much worse under hard accleration, it's probably a bad tranny mount.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I'd recommend really having the car checked by a MB shop.

While the M103 engines are great- the later M104 W124 bodies have better brakes and more hp!

Known big ticket items:

Evaporator replacement and compressor- Have to pull the dash!
Head gasket- known weakness- only use a factory replacement gasket
Suspension work- @ 125,000 miles you could drop 1-2k in suspension work due to age and mileage.
Transmissions are pretty reliable- but then again a leaky front seal could put you toward a rebuild.
Cooling system need a radiator/wp.

Nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes! Check all the records and find out what has been done. If it's had bi-yearly brake flushings, you most likely will find th brake hydraulics in good shape.

Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E