I am considering buying a 1988 300TE Wagon. Can you folks give me feedback
on this car regarding problems, repair history etc. The car is in Excellent Condition and the owner is asking $6500 for it. It has 187,000 miles. Is this a good price and is this a good car if well maintained? How long could it last?


Thank You for your kind reply.

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1989 300E, 152k miles
1988 300E, 172k miles


"There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz" -unknown

He is asking a lot.

I reckon $4,500 tops - but I am UK based. Price is difficult it depends on how many willing buyers there are and how desperate the seller is - this fixes price
NormanB

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NormanB
230 TE (W124) 1989 with 153,000 miles on the clock - hoping for at least another 100K

I'd say it's a high price too. My late '91 300E with 192k on it was $5200, and I think I over-paid slightly, though the condition inside and out is very good and it has almost every option- leather, sunroof, dual airbags, asr etc.
Other TE owners will have advice but with this many miles you need the service history. There's also the rear suspension which I believe can be a pain on these wagons and an expensive fix if not working properly.
For an '88 with that many miles I'd agree with the other poster on price.

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

I bought my 88 three and a half years ago for $4500 and considered it a steal at the price -- book at the time was $9,000 to $12,000 depending on condition.

Check the rear suspension for leaks and harsh ride -- if hard, it needs accumulators ($100 or so each plus installation). If the struts leak or bang from dead rubber mounts, it can be a couple grand to fix. Otherwise pretty maintenance free. Accumulators go every 100,000 miles or so due to nitrogen loss.

Otherwise:

Check rear suspension links -- the bushings go and cause wander and thumps. Lots of work to replace, but no prohibitively expensive. Ditto for front suspension, it's due for bad rubber.

ACC is another point to check -- a leaking evaporator is a HUGE PITA to replace (I'll be doing this on my TE this spring, I think), and they crack with age.... Take off at least 2 grand for this.

If it's in good shape, the head has been done (valve guides are usually gone at 160,000 or so) and there isn't anthing obvious wrong with it, $6500 is an OK price.

Deduct accordinly for defect.

Expected milage with "normal" MB maintenace (periodic valve jobs, etc) is around 300,000 for tranny and 500,000 or more miles for engine. You should expect to replace all the rubber in the suspension and drive train by 250,000 miles.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!