1990 300 TE 4-matic Wagon No Reverse?

[wordmanjay]

I'm thinking of buying this wagon-it's got a couple problems that I'd like to troubleshoot here on the board before I buy it.
Obviously it's the transmission that has me worried. The pictures look great. They now want $1500 and I need a winter vehicle!!!
Thanks in advance for the help.
Jay
Here's the cut and paste of the ad:


For quick sale MERCEDES 300TE 4-MATIC WAGON WHITE, California Car, 3rd owner

Newer Tires 85% Ariva good years, newer alternator, OEM wires , plugs, rotor and cap , about 10 months. Needs to have Trans looked at- no reverse when warmed up, Could be trans filter not shure? Runs and drives no problems, also needs a 4-matic hose (dry rotted)for the fluids for 4-matic as it is disengaged and minor things for a car of this age. Solid car and runner, perfect and stable in the winter snow. No issues with the motor never had any problems for a strait six. This is a bargain price for a car car that is hard to find!!!

Moon Roof, 3rd seat, roof rack, power seats, power windows, 98% CLEAN DROVE ONLY PART WINTERS. 168,788 miles, ! GREAT price! quick sale, moving out of state. THIS WAS LISTED FOR $2995, Lowered price for quick sale.

[deanyel]

This is a classically bad idea. A new transmission will cost more than the car and then you still won't have working 4-matic. 4-matic from that era is a bad idea in its own right and no telling what else it might need.

[tinypanzer]

Run.

[pawoSD]

Run like the wind. Its worth 0.

[cth350]

Actually, it's worth between 500$ and 700$ to somebody who's going to part it out (tops). Since that's not your goal, don't bother. -CTH

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by cth350

Actually, it's worth between 500$ and 700$ to somebody who's going to part it out (tops). Since that's not your goal, don't bother. -CTH

Well yes....but as a usable car its worth 0. Thats what I meant. Its probably worth more than $500-700 if parted....

[babymog]

Originally Posted by wordmanjay

"for a car of this age."

These words alone make me look elsewhere, immediately

[cliffmac]

Well, here's what I would do...as I have a 1990 300TE (not 4-Matic) yet nevertheless the same tranny virtually. Go and drive the car again and then check the transmission fluid after everything is all warmed up. Mine was having a problem going into reverse not to mention shifting poorly. As the wife drives it took me a couple of weeks to actually experience this. Looked at the transmission fluid and there was none registering on the stick. Put 2 quarts of Dexron VI in it. Problem solved. I have had this car for a couple years and thought...it's a Mercedes, couldn't possibly be leaking transmission fluid.....wrong...just like any other car. I was thinking way past this simple issue...could be the linkage for the shifter, could be the diff....could be the transmission itself.....nope...just needed $10 worth of fluid after 2 years and 10K of mileage. I feel like a real dick for not seeing this. Anyway...I'd check the transmission fluid level before making a go no-go decision on this one....if it's otherwise in decent shape....these 124s are tanks...swear....these things are very well built.....

[pawoSD]

I don't know about "tanks" I'll believe it when our W124 goes longer between needing repairs than my W126.... so far the 300E has only made it 1.5 weeks incident free in my ownership....I think I've got it good to go for now though.

My W126 has not had ANY repairs for 15 months now....just oil/trans fluid changes. Oh, and my last "repair" was front brake pads over 1.5 years ago.


W126 = tank

W124 = expensive

[cliffmac]

I reckon my feeling is...let the lawyers and doctors and brokers buy these things new and eat the depreciation and I'll grab em later. You must be willing to get dirty however to justify that logic. I've spent maybe $300 in maintenance over the course of 18 months of ownership on this 1990 300TE. Paid $3600 for it...it had 123K....been OK....in fact better with time, different than BMW. The more I deal with it the more like it. But there is a learning curve thing here....and to take these things to mechanics will eat you up....These are DIY cars....

[pawoSD]

My beef isn't so much with the W124 chassis....its with gasser motors....there's just so much that can (and does) go wrong....at least I've replaced most everything and now its being reliable.

A W124 diesel would be awesome though. Perhaps someday I'll get a 1995 E 300 diesel....