Hi, i own a wonderful 87 300E.

Im just wondering what are some of the basic engine components that should be replaced on an old car like this after all those years. Now that i have some money im looking to give my merc some loving. Ive been looking on ebay and found theres a hell of a lot on there.

I was thinking, air filter, oil filter, fuel filter, rotor, cap, leads, plugs, engine mounts, etc

Any other simple not so expensive components that should be replaced?

Any recommendations would be appreciated, thanks

Coil, OVP, O2 sensor, ball joints, steering dampner, shocks, struts flex discs, brakes all a good place to start.

I wouldn't really recomend just replacing a lot of the parts you mentioned "just because". Certainly the filters, if it is time to do it, these things have service limits and specified time to replace them. Transmission fluid and filters, if you don't know when they were last done, as well as air and fule filter. The coolant and brake fluids are to be done regularly as well.
Got to run, will post more later.
Gilly

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

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Don't shop ebay for anything. Stick with high quality OE manfacturers. That includes brake components. I went with "ebay" rotors + pads for my 300TE when I didn't have much cash and I regret it every day. Squeaks and grinds all the time. I put OE Balo rotors on my 260E and not one squeak at all. Used same anti-squeal paste.

Same goes with ignition components. The 103 engine is very picky with rough idles and misfires as it is let alone throwing aftermarket junk in there...

Oh and NON-resistor spark plugs. Do not buy resistor. Search this forum for all model #'s that work.

Fastlane is a great place with high quality parts -- can't go wrong here.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Richard, interesting question. I assume what you are after are suggestions for what would likely be needed now on a 23 year old car to return it to optimum performance. The things mentioned so far make sense to me, but we don't know anything about the history of the car or of its past maintenance. Clearly, normal maintenance items are the place to start. Beyond that, there are subsystems that might need serious attention:

1) coolant system (pump, radiator, thermostat)

2) airflow system (magnetic and electric fans and related sensors/relays/resistors)

3) A/C system (compressor, condenser, drier, evaporator, expansion valve, vacuum pods for vent control, CCU, and related sensors/relays/switches)

4) vacuum system (hoses and pumps), and

5) fuel system (evaporative emissions bits, fuel distributor, IAC valve, fuel pump/accumulator/check valve, pump relay, pressure regulator, injectors, control unit)

6) transmission/suspension/running gear.

Updating the A/C system alone will run over $5,000 if done by a knowledgeable indy. So it sort of depends on what your plans are for the future of this vehicle.

For those of us who have decided to hang on to our early 124s for the rest of our lives, all of the things I mentioned above are regularly attended to so that they don't pile up on us (it could get scary real fast). Beyond that, for the past 5 years, I have been accumulating OE parts that I reckoned would deteriorate (plastic, rubber, fabric) and would get scarce sooner or later. By now I have two giant Rubbermade bins with snap-on lids full of MBz parts still in their packaging, waiting for the day that a call to Fastlane Phil or the Classic Center comes back with the dreaded, "no longer available" response. Then I can go to my "restoration parts" bins. But I digress!

I think it would be worth your while to take it to a reputable Mercedes indy and have him hook it up to the SDS and give it a thorough systems checkover, just as one might do in a pre-purchase inspection. Then, if money is no object, you won't even have to prioritize his list of repairs.

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1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world--those who understand binary and those who don't

Thanks for all the advice all!
Very appreciated.

Yes quite what im asking "what would likely be needed now on a 23 year old car to return it to optimum performance"

Now im heading in the right direction as to the price of some of the parts may cost. Im from Sydney, Australia so parts are very pricey over here and quite not so easy to get your hands on. But ive found a number of reputable American online auto stores that stock everything i could possibly imagine.

recent changes include:

Transmission swap with a reconditioned one a few months ago
Bilstein Shock Absorbers
New Springs
Been Resprayed



Im only 19 and this is my first car and am completely in love with the car and will be hanging onto her as long as i possibly can.

Thanks for the advice.

Love from AUS!