i know it sounds like a silly question and my guess is no but i am considering buying a 93 300se. at 190000 miles what kind of problems am i looking at. and
1) what causes a stiff accelorater pedal?
2) when you turn the wheel to the max( till it wount turn any more) and it squeals, is that a bad pump?
3) does a car have puffs of smoke(or steam) when idleing cold at 60 degree weather?
4) what causes wheel vibration at idle even in park on these cars?

sorry for all of the questions but i need some reasurence before purchasing this car.
thanks in advance for any info you can give me.

A stiff accelerator pedal could be normal. The W140's are heavy cars, and MB's tend to require you to push harder on the pedal anyways.

A squealing PS pump when the steering wheel is turned all the way to either side could be normal also, as the pump releases excess pressure (I think there was a recent post on this same subject)

White smoke out of the exhaust could be steam if it's cold outside, but in 60F weather it could also be coolant leaking into the combustion chambers though a bad head gasket.

Wheel vibration could be collapsed motor mounts.

190kmi is a lot of miles, and unless you can do head gaskets yourself, could get very expensive very quickly, most people think that the post-facelift (1997-99) cars are better . How much is the car being sold for?

__________________
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Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

Run away fast. There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes Benz. Triple that for the W140!

Steve

Don't turn the wheel to the stops, the serp belt is probably tired.

What kind of smoke? The head gasket may be bad, are coolant and oil mixing?

Some steering wheel vibrations seem normal on these cars. You should not feel any vibrations in your seat, if you do it needs new engine mounts.

W140's should be smooth as silk.


You can buy pretty good W140's in todays market for low teens, spend more money on a better car.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks to all and to answer your question, the car is beeing sold for 5995. even i thought it was pretty low but i figured i would at least look at it . as far as the head gasket. if it is anything like doing it on my 91 300e i think i could handle it .

again thanks to all.

what can i expect in the way of engine problems. does it have the same head gasket problems as the m103 engines?

thanks

I thought the 93 W140's had the M104 engine, known to leak at the rear passenger side of the engine.

I think for a little bit more cash, you could find a better example.

__________________
--
Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

For $4k it may be worth it. It just isn't worth buying a beat example unless you just want a cheap beater. Then let everything break and just fix driveline related things.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

thanks for all your imput. you really help put my mind at ease.