Hello Guys,

Need your opinion and thoughts on this one cause I’m on the fence about buying it…here’s what I’m looking at.

1987 300E with 148k mile
It is a one owner car purchased and always serviced at the local benz dealership.
The owner traded it in on a new 2005 E-class.

Here are the problems with the car:

Left front seat belt broken
Left rear power window does not work
Power head rest on front right passenger goes up but must be pushed down.
Outside temp read out is broken
Sunroof opens VERY slowly (dealer said they would fix if I buy)
Brakes pulse (dealer said they would fix if I buy the car)
Antenna does not go all the way down.

The interior is just about perfect as are the engine and trans. The paint is perfect. Very glossy. It’s the original paint. Car was always garaged. There is a very small amount of rust on both sides of the car where the front jack would be placed if changing a tire.

They are asking 4k for the car.

So, give me your thoughts. Would YOU buy it? What does everyone think it will cost to fix the misc things?

Thanks,
Allan

Outside of the sunroof, the rest of the problems are minor and fairly inexpensive. Well within minor DIY stuff. that's nice, low mileage and if the car was dealer serviced, with records, go for it. There's another 100k miles in that car.

__________________
Norm in NJ
Next oil change at 230,000miles

[QUOTE=94E420] What does everyone think it will cost to fix the misc things?

Who knows?

Not only do you have the items that you know about(listed above); then there are all of the things that are wrong that you don't know about. The car is 17-18 years old. You could spend a fortune fixing the car.

There have been discussions similar to this one lately.

Are you nuts about the car? Are you willing to open up your wallet? Unless you're a very talented tech with all the tools you'd need to repair the maze of things that could be wrong, I'd look for something much newer. Even with strong tech skills, you could easily spend a fortune in parts.

My 2 cents.

I agree other than the sunroof the rest is DIY stuff. Get a look at all the dealer service records and post back for us to comment. Sounds like a diamond in the rough to me, if he is asking four, you know he will take less

Allan,

Yes the stuff listed isn't too much to fix.

But as Mike says don't worry about what you know. Worry about what you don't know. I have an 88 300ce which like this had a glistening original paint exterior (garnet) and a like new interior when I bought it 3 years ago.

But don't let that blind you to the fact that this a used car.

Check the maintenance records. Things like valve guides and seals, head gasket, water pump and timing chain replacement. And what if anything has been done to the tranny. I bought mine in 2001 with 41k on the clock. A PPI revealed need for headgasket, which was done. Then came valve seals at 56k.. around 450.00 at an indy... and I also had major expense with the tranny early on.

Caveat emptor. Trust no one and I mean no one when buying a used car. I'd run a carfax on it anyway. Call it cheap insurance.
Also, try and get an indy who knows the 124/103 inside and out to do a ppi for you.
Then and only then would I make an offer.

Parting shot..fwiw I love my car!

If the dealer includes a warranty and you like the car and price. Buy it

Misc. thoughts - this sounds like a nice car - but if you are not a proficient or at least enthusiastic, DIYer you shouldn't buy it. There is just too much maintenance on these cars and parts prices are going through the roof on account of our currency being worthless. $4,000 is too much for an 87 - even in good condition. Also, how much to fix those things is the wrong question - most of those things should not be fixed on a car like that. The car is headed to the salvage yard - it doesn't need to arrive there with a bunch of new gadgety and unncessary parts. Only the brakes and seat belt should be fixed - get actual quotes. BTW, I am assuming the rust is surface rust - if it's deeper than that you should not buy the car under any circumstances at any price. There's too many good cheap dry cars out there for sale.

Pass on it. With rust at the jack points, you'd never be able to change a tire. There is never a small amount of rust, there's always more and it's hidden, and expensive to repair.

IMHO, buy a newer version of the same car. It's been said many times, there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

I bought 86 with 112000 2 years ago, it was a original az car 2 owners, 20000 miles later a tune up and struts, now its going to need a valve job, but that should be it for another 100000 miles, love the ride