Hi all, I usually post in the diesel forum, but I have run across a 94 300E wagon for sale and wanted to see if there might be some pointers you all can give me for what to look for, as I am familiar only with the diesels.

The car looks great inside and out. It does have 230K on the clock, original engine, tranny and AC. I just don't know how many more miles I can expect from it, or maybe I should look for something with less miles. I need the 3rd row seat, to seat 4 kids and 2 adults.

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K

You may want to verify the year or madel again.
If it were a 94/95 chassis, it would be an E320 model.
A 300 model would be pre 94/95 versions.

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A Dalton

Arthur, you are correct it is an E320.

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K

Very good..
A few typical problems that chassis had was engine wire harmess/ leaking head gasket/leaking a/c evap.
Those are the 3 high $$$ items.
Very good car/engine and they will go 300K easily.

Most of those big item on a car with that high of milage have most likely already been addressed , but you may just want to ask before purchase.
I would also give the tranny fluid a good color/smell test with that high milage. Ask about that too....

You can use the Search feature here with those words and that will familarize you with those items....

That one also has owner access to codes underr the hood , so you may want to do that before buying..that will give you more info than anyone can give you on that particular vehicle.

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A Dalton

Thanks Aurthur, I'll check those things out.

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K

I finally got to drive it today. I also called a friend who owns a MB shop, he knows the car well. The wiring harness has been replaced. It drives very nice, altho there was a slight bump when I first backed it out and went from reverse to drive. I shifted from reverse to drive while at a complete stop, then hit the gas as I was backed out onto a busy street. It was sort of a slide bump, or maybe like a second gear start then going down to first. Anyway I couldn't get it to do it again after that one time.

The fuel guage doesn't work and the tank is pushed up from bottoming out on something. The seller says he has to have the AC recharged every so often, maybe the evaporator? I wonder how much that job is at an independent?

The power antenna doesn't work, and the radio sounds pretty bad, as if the amp is bypassed or something. No bass at all.

Other than that it would look perfect except for the road chipped headlight doors.

I think the price is out of line at $6,500. "He said make me an offer" but KBB says $5,200 in good cond, then I'll need a fuel tank and maybe an evaporator.

I may wait a while then offer $4,000. Again, it has 230K on the odometer.

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K

The bump on the transmission is a clear sign that is going out. Expect about $2,000+ bill for repairs.

The A/C recharging also a clear sign of a bad evaporator. Evaporators failed on W124s almost as often that on W140s. Same problematic issue: the mix of aluminum and copper. Depending on the shop, the repair should be around $2,500+ as the whole dash has to be removed to access the evap.

The amp is also a common failure, expensive to fix unless you resolve to turn to an after market head unit.

One thing to look out for high mileage wagons is the condition of rubber seals (everywhere: doors, windows, engine area....).

Engine mounts, transmission mounts and rear differential condition are also things to look out for.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

That's a $3K car on it's BEST day...

-GH

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For Now:
1992 Mercedes Benz 500SL
1998 BMW 528i
2003 Honda Element
2002 CBR600F4i
1977 Coachmen Motor Home

If you are still seriously interested in this car, you ought to take it to a Mercedes indepenent mechanic for a ppi (pre purchase inspection). It'll be the cheapest $100 you'll ever spend.

It likely needs a tranny rebuild, which could run between $1,500 - $2,000, but it could also be a worn out flex disc or need transmission or differential mounts.

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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".

[quote=dieselmania;1825861]The seller says he has to have the AC recharged every so often, maybe the evaporator? Iquote]


Maybe not.

When our evaporators failed on the 560SEL and the E320 wagon, "every so often" was twice a day......

Utter and complete failure, worked great one day, then......

Fun job, those evaporators.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Electronic Throttle Actuator is also subject to bad wiring - Diagonsitic - if the Cruise Control works then its probably ok.

Since this was bottomed out - check the ride and see if its bouncy - could have bad accumulators - $220 parts and pretty easy DIY provided you have small fingers for the pasenger side.

Interestingly - mine also has the tank partially collapsed (roughly a gallon's worth) and a nonfunctional gas gauge - No shocks (Accumulators) probably was the cause of the gauge failure...

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Brian G.

1994 E320 Wagon with many warts SOLD
1995 E320 Wagon with a beauty mark or two FOR SALE