Hi guys,
Can a few of you look at this car and tell me what you think regarding price and history please?
Mercedex Benz 300E same owner last 15 years

Oil changed every 3k miles, all service done by local Mercedes dealer Wilson Motors, expect trans by a transmission shop
Owner says transmission was rebuilt at 123K miles.
Repainted at Maaco 1/13 for $1200
Evaporator, timing chain, head gasket, wiring harness never had any problems and doesn't recall having them done. Car was used for real estate business ferrying clients. It's in NW WA state.
Says it starts and runs perfect from dead cold or hot, idles fine, interior near perfect. He even replaced the windshield wiper last oil change.
Only problems he knows of are the antenna doesn't raise, says check engine light is on solid took it to Wilson they told him if it doesn't flash it's ok. Is this bs advice?
I can't recall, I owned a Euro 260E years back and a w109, loved the w124 by the way but can't recall an engine light on.
I asked how he arrived at the price, said he took book of $2700 and added the $1200 paint job, set the price there. Sounds like there's some room on price and he says I can take to any shop of choice for a PPI and all records he has and at Wilson go with the car, I've spoken to him but not yet seen/driven the car.
Anyway, posting this to see if any of you experienced guys might have an opinion to share.
(I will say there are a lot of tired w124's out there, it is time consuming looking at them all on craigslist)
Thanks, Bill

moved and approved.
sorry for the delay.
.

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Bill, car looks very nice. The quoted book value is higher than a similar car in our area. Owner's explanation of the Check Engine Light is BS. Why was the car repainted? What is the new paint hiding? The repaint would raise a red flag for me. Gas mileage claim strikes me as higher than to be expected. I would pay a maximum of $2,500 for that car, providing a PPI showed there are no pending major repairs and the new paint isn't due to an accident that caused structural damage, or rust issues. Ask the PPI tech, but I would anticipate the engine needing a head gasket at some point.

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Fred Hoelzle

With a ppi for mechanical issues, rust and the CEL, youve done as much due diligence as needed for a $3k car. Paint job looks amazing for what I would have expected from Maaco, and the interior looks great for 21 years old.

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Prost!

Pull the codes with an OBD II reader to see why the check engine light is on.

A MAACO paint job, no matter how nice it looks now, will look like crap after 4 or 5 years at best. It's the cheap paint, it just doesn't last.

A 2.8 is a one year model, it replaced the 2.6. As such, there are likely unique parts that may prove difficult to source without high cost.

All the other generic problems with W124s are well documented, do some searching on this forum.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

I had a 2.8 for ten years. It's a good car. I have never heard of one that did not need wiring harness and head gasket before the age and miles of this car.

The engine light indicates a problem and it needs to be fixed. This car is too old to have obdII, rather it has the DM with the blinking light under the hood. You count the flashes to determine the problems. That it even has an engine light indicates it is California emissions, the 49 state cars did not even have an engine light!

It is a single model year car in the US is not an issue, the engine is a smaller variant of the m104 used in the E320. Many of the parts are the same between the larger and smaller engines.

I think it is priced at double what it is worth. I sold my nicer one two years ago for $1500. The advert can still be found in the for sale section here.

This car is priced more reasonably - 1993 Mercedes 300e

This one has heated seats but the right side looks a little beaten up - 1994 Mercedes Benz e320 low miles excellent condition

This one's a special edition which is as special as headlight wipers, stainless steel door sills and different wheels - 1995 Mercedes Benz E320 ( W124 )

Replacement harnesses have a date code near the connectors by the battery. It could be a bad harness triggering the CEL.

Sixto
87 300D

Price seems very high, especially with the sellers erroneous claims about the check engine light.

I concur with another price above. $1500, and assume it's a parts car.

i think 2200 if it has cold air... everyone wants a 124 with no troubles for 2k... then wants no more trouble for five years.

buy a new hyundai for 25k... and call it a day....

i have to laugh...

these same people would want double for the cars they own..but trash everyone else's

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


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My wifes car is a '07 Hyundai Sonata 3.3L w/ 60k. It's a smooth ride, reliable, and actually very spunky. It'll get up to 90 pretty quick. Got it from carmax with 11k miles for $12k. Only complaint is the intetior falls apart. Have had to replace both visors and the window switch.

But the listing above is for a 25 year old car that has been run into the ground and repainted. Just seems like for that kind of cash he could find a better sample. I do agree, 2k doesn't get much of a car. I paid 1800 for my 190e and it needs a full rebuild. Overpaid for it, but you live and learn.

For 4k you should get one with the leather interior and about 50k less miles.

Just for reference I picked up a 300te (wagon) 4matic with 120k loaded with leather, heated seats etc. for $2500. It had some body damage to an otherwise perfect chassis that cost me about $1800 to make right again. Good wagons are hard to find and command a premium. Sedans do not.

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10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

Thanks for the feedback gents, wow I didn't expect this much feedback.
You guys are right, I am going to pass on it and keep hunting.
I have been hunting for a diesel, and thought if the right gas w124 comes up I'd still appreciate a gasser. I spend too much time on craigslist.....!