Just Bought 1988 300CE... Few questions-Any Thoughts??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Falsapartenza85 · #1 03-24-2007, 04:03 PM

Hey Guys,

I just picked up a prstine 1988 Mercedes 300CE. It has 90,000 original miles on her. She is Silver with Lapis Blue Leather (color 452). Everything works, except for the driver's side seat-belt extender. Best part? I only paid $2,500.00- Think i got a good deal??? I found her on craigslist (NJ). I never had an M103 before... any comments or thoughts? I would love to hear what you guys think. I am an M104 guy myself-

So a few questions-
-Anyone know what could be wrong with the seat-belt extender???
-Any common issues to look out for?

Thanks!
Michael

1996 E320 (white) 100,000 miles
1996 E320 (green) 105,000 miles
1992 300SE (black) 202,000 miles
1989 560SEL (black) 135,000 miles
1988 260E (smoke silver) 76,000 miles
1988 300CE (silver) 90,000 miles (NEWEST TO THE FAMILY!!!!)

Jim B. · #2 03-24-2007, 05:19 PM

For a W124 coupe with low miles and in good condition, you'd better run away and hide, because you STOLE the car at that price....

They're very fine cars, and fine looking too, and by observing your signature, you have plenty of experienced owning older Benzes. How are the wiring harnesses, the Climate control system, and are there any head gasket leaks? Those seem to be the largest expense things to watch out for. Otherwise, just maintain the car well. Those I-6 motors were one of Mercedes' best efforts.

Could be the gears in the seatbelt presenter mechanism are worn.

Consider the purchase of a set of Euro lights for the CE, thy will look better and are much brighter, with a better beam pattern, than the US set up.
Other modifications, like wood steering wheels, wood, shift knob, cupholders, floormats, sheepskin covers and differentwheels/stereo are such personal decisions, I'll not comment on them. You could leave the car stock and have a very fine automobile.

stevebfl · #3 03-24-2007, 05:25 PM

The car is too old to have the wiring harness problems. The 103 doesn't have as much head gasket problems as the 104 but does have problems with valve guide oil seals.

The AC can have all manner of problems.

Rob300D · #4 03-24-2007, 05:28 PM

I think I've seen that car on Craigslist, its the one with the blue interior, right? I'm glad its sold and gone to a good home. I was trying to find a way to justify needing a fourth car - you might have saved my marriage!

suginami · #5 03-24-2007, 06:17 PM

Yes, Jim B. is right! $2,500 was a huge bargain......at least 50% less than its private party value.

There have been at least two (2) forum members that have bought very clean, fairly low mileage 300CE's recently, and they spent between $5,500 and $6,500.

300CE's are great cars, one of the best ever built by Mercedes in my opinion.

blueeagle289 · #6 03-26-2007, 10:08 AM

You really did get a great bargain; hopefully being from Jersey it is not damaged by the road salt there... I paid $9500 for my CE with 87K on it and well maintained; put all new tires on it and with TX state tax I have close to $11K in it I believe. I still think it is worth that amount and will actually increase in value as the years go by. I love to drive it; very responsive in the higher ranges and perfect road manners. Good luck with the CE.

Ben Carter

deanyel · #7 03-26-2007, 10:22 AM

My theory is that seat belt extenders are best left broken, in the retracted position that is. It's not that hard to reach down low and grab the belt and bring it up. The extenders are a little fragile at that age and expensive to keep up.

lkchris · #8 03-26-2007, 10:40 AM

Issues will be

leaking head gasket
leaking transmission
fuel injectors
fuel distributor
poor headlights until converted to Euros

lee polowczuk · #9 03-26-2007, 03:27 PM

Great buy on a great car..

We have one in the paper here in Greenville. 86k original miles . I think he wants 10,900. Says it was dealer serviced.

A264172 · #10 03-26-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevebfl

The car is too old to have the wiring harness problems...

True, but funny.

BENZ-LGB · #11 03-26-2007, 03:51 PM

There is a great article in the March 2007 edition of Mercedes Enthusiast.

It calls the 300CE a future classic.

This is the time to get one, before prices start going up.

As for the seatbelt extender, please take a look at Item #25 on JimF's page.

The extender system for his car is very similar to the one in the W124.

JimF's Page

I have a 1991 300CE withe the early version M104 engine. I also have a 1989TE with the M103 engine.

The M103 is a great engine. Our 1989TE has 209k miles and it is still running strong!

Enjoy your new ride.

graftdesign · #12 03-26-2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falsapartenza85

Hey Guys,

I just picked up a prstine 1988 Mercedes 300CE. It has 90,000 original miles on her. She is Silver with Lapis Blue Leather (color 452). Everything works, except for the driver's side seat-belt extender. Best part? I only paid $2,500.00- Think i got a good deal???

Congrats on a steal of a deal. Gives the rest of us hope! I was also looking at 300ce's and everything I saw was at least twice as much! Great find!

Ferdman · #13 03-26-2007, 04:36 PM

Michael, as Dean recommends forget about using the seatbelt presenters. We have three 300CE's in the family and I removed the fuse that controls the presenters and the passenger side outside mirror ... so set the passenger side mirror and remove the fuse. Reaching back above the floor for the seatbelt is very simple and saves much confusion for passengers unfamiliar with the seatbelt presenter.

BENZ-LGB · #14 03-26-2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferdman

...saves much confusion for passengers unfamiliar with the seatbelt presenter.

I enjoy having the extenders present the belt to me...but I agree with Fred...the extender sometimes confuses and startles passengers.

dynalow · #15 03-26-2007, 05:34 PM

I have an 88. In the 5+ years, I've owned it (from 41,000 to now 91,000), I have had to do the following.
Before purchase in 1991. Head gasket replaced. Seller & I split the cost.Very
small leak rear left side of head.
Since then:
45,000 mi. injectors (routine & scheduled)
56,000 mi valve guide seals. (Steve is right on this one)
62,500 mi. flex coupling replaced.
75,000 mi. odo quit. & had replaced.

I have a little hitch in the idle. My dealer switched out a distributor from a yard 190E about 3 years. Problem still there. No better or worse. Still have the same distributor and same little hitch.

NO AC problems. Yet.

Still original R12.

Thursday I will replace my original resonator and mufler. The res. has a hole dead center and it's starting to get more than a little growl.

I'm like most others here. I love the coupe.
Every time I see a Cabriolet, I get a little jealous. Then I slide the roof back, drop all 4 windows and think about all the convertible top issues I DON'T have with the D windows.

Go on over the the Open Discussion forum and check out the 300CE owners roll call.

Good luck with the car.