Looking at 92 300TE - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Local2ED · #1 04-07-2009, 02:55 PM

Hello, found a 1992TE wagon that may have been sitting for 3 yrs. Car is covered in leaves and tree sap.Owner passed away and estate is taking offers on car .Car is black/black leather with 3rd seat. Odomoter shows 82,500 miles. Only seen one small dent on drivers fender and the rest of exterior looks very good. Interior looks very good except it smells like mouse pee but could see no visible damage. Car currently does not run and person selling it does not know if it does or any other history of car.It has a clear title. I know more about diesels but nothing about these gas engines. What Im' asking is what should I offer for this car and is there anything to look out for pertaining to the gas engines.I would guess it would have the same quirks as a diesel but I have no experience with a mercedes gas engine. Thank you for your input.

pawoSD · #2 04-07-2009, 03:44 PM

If you get it real cheap (1500 or less probably) I'd call it a deal.

The engine is the M103....it will probably need the fuel system re-worked. Tank cleaned/removed/drained, all lines, fuel pump, filter, accumulator, Distributor, Injectors, Pressure Regulator....etc....it will need an oil change prior to starting it to get the nasty oil out. I'd changed the transmission fluid/filter too, it might have dried out seals and leak due to sitting so long. It has the self leveling suspension which will potentially need work after sitting so long, or it might be fine....depends.

The M103 gas engine is a tough motor, I bet it can be resurrected.

If its a real nice car I'd offer like $1000 or so, perhaps less.

It will probably also need ALL brakes replaced if they rusted, and the brake fluid flushed.

The list of parts and repairs will probably enter the $2,000+ range if it has sat that long.

ps2cho · #3 04-07-2009, 04:02 PM

My experience with a low miles M103 is that you almost certainly have to replace every single vacuum hose there is as they will be rock solid.

See if you can pull the plugs and check the condition. If they are coated in oil/black then you will at the very least need the valve stem seals done -- more likely a valve job if you want perfection.

pawoSD · #4 04-07-2009, 04:30 PM

I thought that mine needed the valve stem seals because it was going through a good amount of M1 0w40 oil.....then I went to Rotella 5w40 diesel synthetic....it has used no measurable oil in over 800 miles!

nestorb98 · #5 04-07-2009, 09:58 PM

I would pay no more than $1000.00

I would start the bidding at $500.00 and make a big deal about the mouse pee smell. Somewhere along the line the interior will have to be ionized. Brakes and tires would be MOST important...check out Sam's Club for their prices on Bridgestones. My '91 and '95 station wagons both ran best on those. and if the car has been sitting for over a year, a tire change is a must. Best of luck!