Should I buy a 300CE? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BENZ-LGB · #1 06-18-2006, 10:50 PM

The JUne ediiton of Mercedes Enthusiast contains a survey of the "People's Choice" benzes for the 1960s'. 70s', 80s', 90s' and the 00s.

For every decade, except the 80s', the top choice Benz were the SL (W113, W107, W129, etc.).

Guess which is the only non-SL Benz to come on top?

The W124 300CE. It was the top choice for the Benzes built in the 1980s.

I own a 1989 300TE. It is my daily driver. It is no pocket rocket, but it is not a pig off the line either.

All the advice here, about getting a PPI, is sound. The asking price, $5,500 seems low for that car (unless the seller has no clue what he is selling).

trueog · #2 06-08-2006, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcpc

I'm looking at buying a 1990 300CE with 55K miles. The price is at retail, the car looks terrific inside and out. The downside is that it is abysmally slow from a standing start and almost dangerous with the air conditioning on. I've heard they are slow, but are they that bad or is there something wrong with the car. It is excellent in all other respects.

I'd rather get a 94 and new C-Class for the same price...

jeff (moose) · #3 06-08-2006, 10:25 PM

At the price he was looking at for the CE. I would consider it equal to winning the lottery to get a new C class and a 94(who cares what the 94 is). I'll take 3 pairs!

Get me a 94 mercedes 500, or a CE( see below) and a new C class for how much? Yeah 6!
Make mine a "C" sport, maybe a Renntech,or a 500E, and I want the CE Sportline or a German Renntech. Nice CE's Mine rocked, 5 speed, and a 3.4lt? 6cyl. I wish I could find a good one. I think they are rare birds.

Just kidding about the CE, Make 'em a 500E and a C-AMG. Do we have a deal!

Just kidding and just having a little fun!

Make the 500 Green? Please?

autozen · #4 06-09-2006, 12:44 PM

smpcp,
If you are syill undecided, I still highly recommend a 300CE from late 80s to early 90s. You have already said you like the style, and believe me the purchase price of a newer car isn't the final cost. Maintenance and repairs can kill ya. Someone suggested you can buy a newer C class for the same money. I wouldn't recommend it for two reasons. First of all you would be stepping down from the E class. The C classes have been marketed for Joe Lunchbucket and aren't the same. MB has filled them witl all kinds of bells and whistles to compete with the Japanese, but they are still not Mercedes in my opinion. Secondly if a window craps out in one of the cars I suggest, you repair that window. If the windows crap out in a newer car you will have to diagnose a Control Area Network bus, replace an expensive module, and probably have the dealer reprogram the network to accept the new module. For my money I'm sticking with the earlier MBs until I'm forced to move up. I'm still driving 126s and 124s because they serve my purpose. I'm putting off moving into the 210s and 140s as long as I can, and I've been a factory trained MB mechanic for 30 years. I have a full blown hobby shop with hoist, R-12 machine, R-134 machine, rim clamp tire machine, wheel balancer, Mitchell On Demand, scanners, and a full library of factory manuals to year 2000. Good luck in your search.

89-300ce · #5 06-09-2006, 01:15 PM

I'm very happy with my ce. I smile every time I see it. If I love the looks after 18 years I probably always will. Most new cars that catch my eye I like for a few years and then "meh". My m103 is no drag racer but then neither am I. I've heard it described as "a gentlemans personal car" and that suits me fine. Leisurely acceleration with a smooth glide and some serious top end should I actualy need to get somewhere fast, as opposed to squeeling tires at a red light like an 18 year old.

Jorg

autozen · #6 06-09-2006, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89-300ce

I'm very happy with my ce. I smile every time I see it. If I love the looks after 18 years I probably always will. Most new cars that catch my eye I like for a few years and then "meh". My m103 is no drag racer but then neither am I. I've heard it described as "a gentlemans personal car" and that suits me fine. Leisurely acceleration with a smooth glide and some serious top end should I actualy need to get somewhere fast, as opposed to squeeling tires at a red light like an 18 year old.

Jorg

When you talk about catching your eye for a few years, the new Thunderbird comes to mind.

Jim B. · #7 06-10-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autozen

smpcp,
If you are syill undecided, I still highly recommend a 300CE from late 80s to early 90s. You have already said you like the style, and believe me the purchase price of a newer car isn't the final cost. Maintenance and repairs can kill ya. Someone suggested you can buy a newer C class for the same money. I wouldn't recommend it for two reasons. First of all you would be stepping down from the E class. The C classes have been marketed for Joe Lunchbucket and aren't the same. MB has filled them witl all kinds of bells and whistles to compete with the Japanese, but they are still not Mercedes in my opinion. Secondly if a window craps out in one of the cars I suggest, you repair that window. If the windows crap out in a newer car you will have to diagnose a Control Area Network bus, replace an expensive module, and probably have the dealer reprogram the network to accept the new module. For my money I'm sticking with the earlier MBs until I'm forced to move up. I'm still driving 126s and 124s because they serve my purpose. I'm putting off moving into the 210s and 140s as long as I can, and I've been a factory trained MB mechanic for 30 years. I have a full blown hobby shop with hoist, R-12 machine, R-134 machine, rim clamp tire machine, wheel balancer, Mitchell On Demand, scanners, and a full library of factory manuals to year 2000. Good luck in your search.

Hear, hear. The above is advice you'd be well to heed. Especially considering the source, a 30 year factory trained MB mechanic!

I would add, all other things being equal, get the Sportline CE if you can find a good one, you will appreciate the suspension and interior upgrades you get with that package!! Steve Nervig at www.mbcoupes,com is on the mbcoupes forum for the SEC and has one of them, a CE sportline that is and he has become quite an authority on them. I believe he has maintenance CDs for them also...perhaps you could hook up. He and his wife Peggy are wonderful people, both committed to the CE and a good source of more information for you

autozen · #8 06-10-2006, 08:57 PM

This is beginning to look like a 124 coupe forum.