I have a 1988 300TE, but its almost the same... Different engine though. Here are some things that I note on my car.


The SLS needs maintainence. I have mine flushed every two years. I have had the nitrogen spheres replaced a few times, but as I understand it, its an easy DIY task. I have also had one of the SLS hoses go out, and it dumped all of my fluid out. Not a big deal, new hose, fresh fluid, all good.

The shocks for the rear hatch need to be replaced over time.... Its almost time for mine, as when its cold, the hatch likes to bump me on the head....

They like to leak a little oil. Mines got a small leak, just a bit of oil every so often.

I had the trannie rebuilt at 208,000 miles. She started slipping around 200,000, and decided to bite the bullet and have it rebuilt. Shifts great once again!




But the wagons are great. Love mine, and would not trade it.... Unless I were trading for a Hammer Wagon.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Justin your 300TE and my soon-to-be-my-son's 300TE sound a lot alike.

Replaced the tailgate's shocks when I got tired of getting hit on the back of the head on cold mornings.

Tranny rebuilt after 200k miles. Now shifts great.

A few months ago someone hit the left front fender and left a dent on it. They did not leave their ID. At that ime I was carrying a very high collision deductible.

I've not had it repaired yet. But will get it done this summer. The car could use a paint refresh. But now I am podenring whether it would be worth the big bucks to do a Benz-worthy paint job, or to go for a less expensive alternative.

The wagon is worth a lot to me, and will be worth a lot to my son, but its market value is not that high anymore.

Decisions, decisions....

BTW, these are truly GREAT wagons.

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Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!

I say give it a good repaint. It doesn't matter if the cost of the repaint is more than its market value.

These cars are now irreplaceable, and have a high utility value.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

The wagon has a high sentimental value to me as well, but I agree that they just simply are not worth that much anymore. Its got a high value to me, my mom, and my dad as well, but not to the insurance company.


We dropped comp and collision on my wagon 3 months ago. I fought like hell, but when it came down to it, I was carrying a $1,000 deductible on a car thats worth $5,000 tops.


But overall, I love my wagon. Yeah, its got a few bumps and bruises, but its a daily driver. I would love to get a repaint on my wagon, but being a college student, I do not want to worry about my $2,500 paintjob sitting where others could ding it up.

But overall, I would never give up my wagon. You would have to pry the keys from my dead cold hands before I would give it up.


But I do need to get those hatch struts fixed. Its getting old having my head bumped in the morning.... Is it an easy DIY? How much time am I looking at?

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.