I'm looking at a 300te, that needs a new windshield, and wondered how best I could tell if there was rust on the windshield frame before I bought the car. Also, are there any problem areas specific to a w124 that I should look out for.

Here is a good buyers guide thread over on BenzWorld.

W124 Buyer's Guide - Mercedes-Benz Forum

Alright, thanks. I think I found a relevant FSM for the trim, now to find out if they guy is willing to lower his price because he doesn't have a service history.

Best thing to do since he hasn't got service history on it is to have it for a thorough inspection by a private shop. Better yet, pay the dealer. They will get excited thinking that you are going to give them work so go ahead and take it there. They are the first ones to bear bad news.

Since there isn't service records, you now have to take into consideration that:
1): The tranny hasn't ever been rebuilt possibly and you don't know well it has been serviced even if the current owner took care of it. The guy before him may have beat on it. Reverse is a weak spot on the 722.3/722.4. So is a 2/3 flare and you mine as well rebuild if it gets to any of those points.

2): You don't know if the head gasket has been replaced, and the M104 and M103 was weak on head gaskets. They leaked and around this age and ALL will need them if they haven't had it already.

3): You don't list the year if it is a 1993 300TE, those wiring harnesses were garbage and bio degradable.

4): Make sure the AC works.

I don't mean to make these cars sound like headaches, but this is the typical repairs that occurs with these cars. So if they have been taken care of, there isn't anything better you can buy. If they haven't been take care of and neglected, well you better have deep pockets and patience.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

Yea I sort of figured. I have a good idea of some of its problems already, I'm just curious things different from a w123 diesel to look for. I'm looking at it as a long term project for the most part anyway, and mostly want to stock up on a w124 or two before the market for them turns into the w123 market.

Let us know how this ends up. I love W124 Wagons.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

The W124 is a completely different driving experience from the W123. Very modern and incredibly comfortable. Rust, head gaskets and transmissions are the areas to watch on these.

Horrible advice. ^^^

Do NOT take it to a MB dealer.

Better inspections are accomplished @ local independent shops that are known to specialize in MB repair, AND are recommended as such.

Stay AWAY from MB dealers!

You're not even close to comprehending my point. The dealer will get giddy, and tell him everything that is wrong with the thought of doing the work. They like the business. Independents are the worst. I'm glad I do my own work. The dealers aren't saints, but they have a reputation to maintain so I'd take them over Joe Dirt in a Sunoco.

A lot of Independents are closing here in the North. The dealers will be putting them out of business eventually as technology gets more and more advanced.

__________________
Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

Try to understand what I've written before making-up scenarios that weren't even brought up. I comprehended what you think is good advice - but it's NOT. I believe it was horrible advice.

MB dealers are by in large so incompetent, especially with vintage MBs, the best advice is to stay AWAY from them.

My advice stands.

Take the car to a highly-competent independent shop that SPECIALIZES in MERCEDES-BENZ AND IS KNOWN TO THE MB COMMUNITY AS SUCH. We have many highly competent indie shops in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for instance. -Just as most any metro area in America does as well.

OP: My advise is to; STAY AWAY FROM DEALERS, especially with ANY vintage MB. Find the independent shops that specialize in MBs that are recommended by the MB community of owners in your area to do your PPI inspection.

you're entitled to that opinion no matter how wrong it is.

__________________
Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

Skid: you are right. There are few if any competent mechanics at the dealer that actually have experience with a vintage mb.

But, more often than not, the shop foreman has been there for 30+ years and does have the knowledge. The dealer also has the proper literature available, and is not shy to condemn a part if it is even slightly out of spec.

To the op: you can go to the dealer, just call or show up in advance and ask to speak with the shop foreman. Ask him how long he has been there and what kind of experience he has with the Wxxx.

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Eugene

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

A lot of dealer/factory trained mechanics leave the dealer after 10-15 years and open their own shops, so they typically know the older models better than current dealer mechanics, and those older models are probably the majority of their busines.

I'm lucky to have one only one and a half miles from me who can do jobs I'm no longer willing to do.

A good shop forman should be able to recommend a local independent who knows your older model better than his current shop mechanics, so just ask.

Duke

I agree with this. My dealer does do work on some W124's still but I was talking to one of the parts guys a few weeks back and he told me that they send a lot of their more involved jobs to a local Indy.

Wow, this thread has taken on a life of its own.