RIP 1988 300E - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hirnbeiss · #1 02-28-2009, 11:46 AM

Note though that it's not always just Jap vs German engineering but usually simple/small vs big/complex. A half-pint, no-option, 4-banger Civic is not going to need the attention a loaded big car will. At the end of the day I just like driving my car better than the high-volume, cookie-cutter compromises that the Asians make. I can't afford the new ones, so I do what I can with the used.

Colo Springs E · #2 02-28-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirnbeiss

Note though that it's not always just Jap vs German engineering but usually simple/small vs big/complex. A half-pint, no-option, 4-banger Civic is not going to need the attention a loaded big car will. At the end of the day I just like driving my car better than the high-volume, cookie-cutter compromises that the Asians make. I can't afford the new ones, so I do what I can with the used.

Your point is well taken. At the end of the day, I'm maybe a little surprised to learn this about myself... I think I really am just a "low-hassle" kinda guy who just wants efficient/low maintenance transportation that gets me from A to B with great predictability--even if it's somewhat lacking in originality/'coolness.' Owning the Benz taught me that I guess--and that's not a bad thing, it is what it is. Sometimes I do wish I had the mech skills--my dad has them, and I shoulda picked his brain more when I was a boy/young man.

I saw two old Benz's in the grocery store parking lot when I was there a few minutes ago. One appeared to be a mid/late 80s 450 SEL (I think?) that was nice and clean, and the other was a 190E that looked just like my 300, in the teal green w/tan MB Tex! (Mine had leather) I have to admit, I felt a twinge of envy and sadness, sort of wishing I still had mine. If I didn't have to have it as my daily driver (if it could sit while I either saved up for repairs or learned to do things on my own), I probably would've kept it. I liked it that much.

Very good and civil discussion, very much appreciate all the input! Good luck to all of you--hope your MBs give you hundreds of thousands of (relatively) trouble-free miles...

Hirnbeiss · #3 02-28-2009, 06:40 PM

Good luck to you, and I'm willing to bet we'll see you here again one day. After the bug has bitten, and you've gotten up on the learning curve, it just happens. I was in the same boat 10 years ago when I got rid of my 86 190E with 165K miles, but then I just had to have that '95 E320 for a song, and now I'm on the '99 E430.

Ivanerrol · #4 02-28-2009, 08:23 PM

And now to mix the Japanese and German.

My W124 260e is a Japanese export - i.e. was sold in Japan, it reached it's economical life cycle there and was then exported to Australia. It has a very low mileage for an '89 model - 85,000 miles.

We get a lot of Japanese late '80's W124's in Australia - many have very low miles - some less than 40,000 miles. Most of these cars have very good service histories - the regime in Japan is very strict in this regard.

This doesn't mean that these cars don't need some serious work done to them. They are still some 20 years+ old.

My car was owned by a wealthy type and was chauffeur driven. It seems obvious also that this car has never done more than 60mph in it's entire life. This is common in Asian cars. (Singapore has a 50mph speed limit.) The car is immaculately presented - looks and drives like new still

Many of these cars are idled all day with their Aircons on. (The traffic is horrendous in Japan - and Asia generally).

I am just about to change the water pump - the radiator has already been done. I notice that a lot of the plastic parts under the bonnet (hood) are hard and dried out ( - indicating high temps probably due to long idling periods). One of the heater vacuum controls also requires replacement.

The point is this. Not only do good maintenance records count when buying a 20 year old car. The way that car was driven during that time also counts. I have heard countless tales from guys who have bought some grandma's W123 that was only used on weekends with low miles only to require extensive maintenance work after it started to be used as a daily driver. All cars are made to be driven. All parts need to be used or they will fail with no use. It's the same as a human body. (Don't exercise and watch part of it breakdown when you need it most)

Another point about maintenance. M.B.'s cooling system has plastic, aluminum and steel components all in the same circuit. The coolant recommended is of a very high quality. Don't use the good stuff at your peril (over time). Batteries have a very finite lifetime. M.B.'s also have a fairly hefty battery. When they get towards the end of there life the rest of the charging system needs to work harder to compensate.

In a former life I was an installer of electromechanical switch systems. They were very expensive. They also had a mean life of forty years - with correct maintenance. I acquaint older M.B.'s the same way - made to last a long time with correct maintenance. Why would M.B. still supply spare parts for years old cars if they did not hold to this policy.

And one more point. I.M.H.O. 20 year old M.B's are for enthusiasts like 99% of the posters here. If you are after a reliable old run about - you need to look Toyota. I'm often asked if an old Benz is suitable for someones daughter. I always say no - unless there is a very handy mechanic available.

pawoSD · #5 03-01-2009, 03:05 PM

I bought my car with 0 records.

I figured I'd eventually replace everything anyways...so who needs records?

Plus, I could tell what stuff had been worked on or replaced just by looking at it.

Benz300 · #6 03-04-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colo Springs E

Well, my Mercedes experiment is over.

I have a legit question for the enthusiasts here: Are Mercedes typically fairly reliable cars? The 300E I bought was checked out by a local MB specialist, and they gave it more or less a "clean bill of health." They did point out it had a head gasket leak, which I understand is fairly common with the 103 engines. Other than that, they felt it was solid and would likely give me overall good service. Oddly enough, in the less-than-one year I owned my E, the head gasket was the one thing that never gave me any problems.

But genuinely curious about the experience of those here...

I went through something similar with my w124. take a look at this thread I started

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=73435

greasybenz · #7 03-05-2009, 12:45 AM

Well i guess i better get my foot out of my mouth:

http://www.mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/283524-sudden-problems-c32.html

I think im going to switch car brands, this is just ridiculous.

pawoSD · #8 03-05-2009, 02:31 AM

Or you could just go diesel-only.......and get like a '99 E300 or something....and have it performance chipped.

greasybenz · #9 03-05-2009, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Or you could just go diesel-only.......and get like a '99 E300 or something....and have it performance chipped.

Sloppy handling, rather aged styling, and to slow with chip

Im thinking more of the lines of E46 M3 or Porsche 996, they are both very affordable...all thanks to this economy.

Plus im sure the situation wouldnt be any different in a diesel.

babymog · #10 03-05-2009, 11:50 AM

Personally, I'd considered upgrading to a 210 back in '96, but didn't really care for the Honda look from the rear or the newer 4matic system. When a friend/employee bought his '99, and had several problems including spring perches, I had already decided not to buy any more Mercedes due to the dealer hassles and lack of a turbodiesel, but considered the '98, ... glad at that point I hadn't bought one.

I like having a couple of older diesels around, seems like they're more dependable than any of the new stuff. I've never had any problems with my older 124s, but new cars have occasionally treated me like crap.

pawoSD · #11 03-05-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Personally, I'd considered upgrading to a 210 back in '96, but didn't really care for the Honda look from the rear or the newer 4matic system. When a friend/employee bought his '99, and had several problems including spring perches, I had already decided not to buy any more Mercedes due to the dealer hassles and lack of a turbodiesel, but considered the '98, ... glad at that point I hadn't bought one.

I like having a couple of older diesels around, seems like they're more dependable than any of the new stuff. I've never had any problems with my older 124s, but new cars have occasionally treated me like crap.

Yeah that spring perch issue here in Michiganrustland....I'd be pretty paranoid about it. How have the gassers been going lately? Mine has been behaving....building up trust so it can let me down again in the future.

Colo Springs E · #12 03-06-2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Yeah that spring perch issue here in Michiganrustland....I'd be pretty paranoid about it. How have the gassers been going lately? Mine has been behaving....building up trust so it can let me down again in the future.

So educate this young grasshopper... what is the "spring perch" issue??

pawoSD · #13 03-06-2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colo Springs E

So educate this young grasshopper... what is the "spring perch" issue??

The metal "cup" that holds the front springs is welded to the body structure of the car on the W210 chassis....suffers from a rusting condition that can cause it to break away from the car....and the spring collapses....thus the suspension collapses on that wheel....pretty dangerous if it happens at higher speed!

There was a recall I believe that reinforces the structure.

babymog · #14 03-05-2009, 04:36 PM

Actually, that was in Mississippi, never saw Michigan winter, failed in '03 (4 years old).

I don't think that the spring perch failure is a rust issue, I suspect either process (weld or material) control or metal fatigue from a less-than-robust design.

Wish someone would do a post-mortem to see what the failure was.