89 300e to buy or not to buy

[mtmacklin]

looking at a black 300e the body is in great cond. no rust no dings winsheild has a crack a dealer is selling asking for 2200$ (he got it at a auction) here's the kicker no service records and 317,000 miles he says every thing works and it runs like new (will test drive tomorrow some one left the keys at home) should i even consider this car im also looking at a bmw 635csi with 175,000 im not really a 2 door guy but this bimmer (im not a bmw guy eithier LOL) is in nice shape and has recent head and valve work reciepts the mechanic who did the work is selling for 1200 no rust a couple dings here and there.?????????????????????? thanks guys any replies apriciated

[schumi]

it would be cheaper to buy one of the dozens of good condition 300E with 1/3 the miles that can be had for $4-5k. $2k may sound like a good deal, but you can very easily put $1k in repairs/maintenance per year into a 100k mile 300E that has been well cared for its whole life. That is the nature of a car that is 15-20 years old (regardless of miles, condition, history). I shudder at how much annual repairs/maint. would be on a 300k mile model.

[mtmacklin]

i hear you i got a 1980 euro 500sel with a blown head sitting out side

[mtmacklin]

what do you guys think about the bimmer

[Ferdman]

I'd stay away from the '89 300E with 317,000 miles. Ask why the mechanic who did head and valve work on the BMW 635csi is selling it. Not too many folks put a lot of time and effort working on a car and then turn around and sell it for next to nothing. You need details on the car. What else if anything does the car still need repaired? It could be a money pit.

[bhatt]

There is one rule to follow when looking at cars like these:

"There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Benz"

I've bought cars like these before and got burned. Either buy a better (lower mileage/service records/etc) one, or buy a different car.

For $2k you can buy an older Taurus or Accord if you want cheap transportation. It will outlast any 300E with 317k miles!

I once bought a Miata even though I wanted an older SL. Could only afford some older, high mileage beat-up SL's. I'm so glad I didn't buy one at the time. I have a 560SL now, after driving that Miata for 4+ years! (only planned to keep the Miata temporarily...)

Neal

[drbrandini]

The mileage really does not matter. It's the fact that you have no service history on the car.

I have a 124 with 290K on and everything works well. However I knew all of the service history on the car before I bought it 4.5 years ago (190K).

I looked at a 300E a year ago with over 300K on the clock full service records. The original owner was an anal accountant and had taken excellent care of the car...He decided he was too attached to the car to sell it to me. I would have bought it otherwise.....

If your going to buy an inexpensive benz make sure it's one that you have all the serivice history on. Good luck !

[Hatterasguy]

$5k-$8k will you into a nice clean low mileage W124. If you spend $2k on this car I can tell you write now it will need at least another $3k. The suspension needs work if it hasn't been done.($2k) The trans is on its last legs, sure it may shift fine now but at 317k you are pushing it.($2k) A valve job is probably due, ect. I would pass unless you want a project car.

So $4k right their, throw in another $2k for all of the other stuff that will break. You now have an $8k into it and probably by this time it is closing in on 350k.

Buying a cheap German car is a bad idea, MB, BMW ect. Buying a well taken care of nice example is a great idea that will not turn into a money pit.

[mtmacklin]

thanks everyone this site has been a God send. i will get the bimmer(it has service records)and try to repair the head on my euro 500 with help from you guys im too scared to go back (the keys are availble now) and test drive the 300e

[86560SEL]

I had a 82 BMW 735i sedan in the past and it was a terrible car. It had a changed engine and had been abused however. My cousin has a 1985 BMW 633i 2dr and even though it looks like new, it has been quite a money pit. I think the electrical glitches are its main problems. My uncle told him to sell it- post haste.

$2200 seems steep for a 89 300E, with that mileage. On a side note- in my opinion- while service records are important and nice to have, just because a car lacks this does not mean it is a bad car. If the car checks out OK at your mechanics, then I do not see any big deal. I have been guilty of throwing out the receipts of the work done on some of my cars in the past, but mostly, I try to keep every sales receipt.

I am personally considering a 1985 Mercedes 380SE for $1000. It has over 250K, has NO records, so I am a bit weary, but has had the same owner for a while and the car has been stated to be in good working orders and extremely reliable. My main concern is that timing chain. He does not recall when it was last changed. I am guessing it is due for a change, as well as those other little items mentioned that go along with a timing chain change. Yes, it may turn out to be a money pit, but I would rather pay $1000 for this 85' 380SE, rather than $5200 for a local 85' 500SEL, with 152K- also with NO records and really only having nicer paint.

Good luck with whatever you purchase!!

[mtmacklin]

today i drove the 300 it was a massive disapointment the car stalled and had a slight showing of milk in the oil fill cap possible blown gasket I walked away and thank you guys for the warning