Just got a 300TE!
 

Hello all,

Haven't been to this forum for over 4 years. I recently got my 3rd mercedes. its a 1989 300TE. I previously had a 1978, and a 1984 300SD.

After i graduated college i needed a car with A/C so i got rid of my last mercedes and got into sport cars instead. Bought a Mazda Miata and just got an S2000 this december.

Well i found out i am having a kid in October so had an eye out for something reasonable. Found this car locally through craigslist and went over to look at it not intending to buy it, but it followed me home!

1989 300TE
250K miles (receipt for transmission and engine rebuilt @ 170K)
A/C system converted to 134A (receipts showed a new compressor in 06)

the car drove real nice on the way back, spent about 30 minutes on the highway and it is definitely a lot nicer riding than the S2000 (hard not to)

The bad:
Need new hazard switch
rear driver side window does not work (still trouble shooting)
rust around 4 jacking points
leaking a bit of oil (after 2 days of parking there is like 8 drops of oil)
A/C may be leaking freon

the good:
no tear in the leather
transmission shifts good
starts and runs nice, esp after replacing the spark plugs
paint is decent
frame & suspension is relatively rust free
new tires
new brakes
A/C works!

I got it for $850, how did i do?!

this forum was such a great resource for my other 2 cars, i look forward to lurking here again!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...6-12180846.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...6-12180903.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...6-12180855.jpg
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Looks like a good deal to me! & welcome back!

nice.

i like everything minus the arch guards

Looks to be a pretty good deal to me. These cars are notorious for leaking oil so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

The oil leaks are probably something simple like the valve cover, or timing cover gasket.
Minus arches, looks great, good find!

Rear driver window not moving could be frayed wires through the door. Easiest way to check is to pull off door panel, apply +18v battery to the terminals and see if the window moves -- if it does, its frayed wires in the door. (fuses checked I guess too)

wasn't a fan or the chrome arches myself, was going to paint them black but now i just realized that they are just probably screwed on.

the driver rear window is missing a switch in the console, i swapped the right side one in there and it still doesn't work. I'll look for the frayed wiring like suggested.

going to clean all the oil in the engine compartment this weekend and keep and eye out for where it is coming from.

wife has already complimented that it goes over speed bumps and rides a lot nicer than her car (and certainly my S2000)

i have a hazard switch if you want it. Doin me no good here.

First week with the car. I am trying to get familiar with all the quirks. I have been reading a lot of post here and try to diagnose the problems and plan of actions (any input would be appreciated)

1. takes a few cranks to start. hear the FP buzzing when i first turn the key on:

from research this should be a bad fuel accumulator. I don't think there is a problem with this other that losing the pressure and having to keep the key on a bit longer (please correct me if i am wrong)

2. car idles fine in gear, after driving a while (hot engine) and putting the car in park the engine idles at around 1900 rpm. i can switch back to D and the engine RPM will lower to normal idle speed

not sure what is wrong here, but shut her down and the next time i start it seems fine. i am guessing a vacuum leak?

3. Cruise control seems to shut off by itself. i am surprised this worked at all! but i can set it to 65 and after a bit it seems to shut off like i just tapped the brakes, seemed to happen when i hit an incline (engine needed to speed up)

maybe a fuse? not a big deal to me at all.

i am on my way of doing a few maintenance items and replacing all the underhood deteriorated hoses

thanks for all inputs

got this problem solved today. the microswitch was not hitting when i let go of the pedal. adjusted the linkage and all seems well now!

such a deal
 

Wow- great find. It just saddens me knowing my trusty TE is worth so little:(

1. Don't forget about flushing the SLS hydraulic fluid during your routine upkeep. The SLS system is not mentioned anywhere, moisture does get into that open system, and it's easy to change it.

2. My TE has always stalled on the first turn of the key for the 60K I've owned it. Cold engine, hot, whatever. It always starts the second turn.

3. The window regulator motors do burn out.

The cruise control module on these cars is not one of MB's better designs. Lucky you the AC is functioning!

Sorry about the rust, otherwise it looks like a steal.
the wagons are great vehicles. does it wander or anything on the highway? how do the tires look on the car?

Thanks for the advice.

1. The brake fluid is black, and needs bleeding. So I am assuming the sls hydraulic fluid is in the same state too. I didn't think about it but it is now on my to do list.

2. Good to know. I did an oil change yesterday ( rotella t 10w40) and it seemed to start better now (maybe a placebo effect)

3. The po said he replaced the motor and regulator only to find out that it was not it. I need to get a center console switch and need to find out if the rear window is getting power at all. I hope it's cheaplike a frayed wire or something.

The car pulls very slightly to the right, the car came with new tires and brakes so I cannot see if it is wearing weird. I think the center steering bar (not sure what it is called at the moment) is bent. I thought it was suppose to be bent but looking at some part pictures looks like it is suppose to be straight.

I love the car and have been driving it every day so far, and this is considering my s2000 does put a smile on my face everytime I drive it too

Fly straight drag link
 

That center steering piece is the drag link, and it should be straight.

There is also a steering damper connected to it that is also straight.

I'm an idiot. i realize the bar i was looking at the other day was the sway bar which is slightly curved!

the steering/suspension looks to be in decent shape, which i nice so i can turn my attention to some other preventative maintenance's.

thanks,

There is an 89 300TE nearby that is only showing 142k miles. The guy is asking $2800 for it. I'm thinking about offering $2200 and see what happens. The wife has been kinda hinting about picking up a wagon to allow her to haul the dogs around.