I am considering buying a 1988 300E that had the timing chain break. It is currently at a Ford dealership, and they said that it bent 8 rods. Obviously they don't know anything. They said it needs a new motor ($6000). I can buy the car quite cheap, but was wondering what kind of damage would the chain do if it broke. Is the 300E motor a zero tolerance motor? I am assuming that it bent the valves. If I pulled the head and got it repaired would that more than likely fix the problem?
Thanks in advance. (This forum is super informative)
Steve

It's very difficult to understand how there can be eight rods bent in a six cylinder engine.

This one is surprising. I have learned from the pros in this group that the M103 timing chains rarely if ever break. I wonder if they have actually pulled the valve cover and checked. The information they are giving you does not add up.

A head ready to bolt on for this car can be had for $795.

I would not buy this car unless it were a VERY cheap price. The car in good shape is only worth about $5,500 to $9,000.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

[This message has been edited by LarryBible (edited 08-30-2000).]

Well I can get the car for $4000 Canadian ($2750)US, so the price is right. The timing chain has been done on the car but it still won't run. Would it just be the valves that could be bent?

I'll bet they meant it bent 8 valves. This is possible when the timing chain lets go as the valves will hit the pistons if not in time. I can't imagine replacing the chain and not repairing the head...BEWARE....

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Jeff Lawrence
1987 300e
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

Here's a tip I use to help me in all my automobile dealings, and it works quite well. Never ever buy anything from a Ford dealer.

Check out your local auto trader, I'm sure there are plenty of 300Es to be had here in Canada for $8-15,000.



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Jason Priest
1986 420SEL

If the car is that cheap, (except for the motor) and is in great condition, I would go for it. The car is $2750 US and a whole motor is just $4200 US. Your maximum investment would be $7000 US ($10,000 CAN). This would be an average price (as Larry pointed out) for an above average car in the states.

Unless the motor is junk, I doubt very seriously you will need to replace it. Have the car checked out by an MB mechanic for the real assessment of damages before you buy, just to make sure nothing more than the head is not damaged.

Just my $.02....
Good Luck,

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William
76 240D (W115) - 550K miles
78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles

If I were you I would assume the car needs a whole new engine. You have no idea what is broken inside, and so should assume it that way. The price seems ok, if all else is good, but there is no way you can check if the a/c (and its vacum servos)are good, how about the transmition?.

I just saw an 1988 in great condition with a bad transmition go for 3K here in Orlando.

I bought my 300E for 5K about 2.5 years ago but had to change the water pump, dasboard and climate control servos, plus socks. I did all the work so it all came to about 1.5 to 2K.

Good luck


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'86 300E
'87 300SDL
'92 190E 2.6

I think that Champa is offering some very good advice. Decent 300E's can be had from the South with no rust. I've seen them between about $5,500 and $9,000 for late eighties examples in great condition.

$2,750 for a car with a known bad motor and who knows what else wrong, may be a ticket to nowhere. See Chuck Taylors post regarding his air conditioner horrors. You could end up with another $2K or more in the air conditioner.

I really believe that at this price in this condition is not a good deal. This is a parts car at best. It should be bought for a parts car price.

My $0.02, Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Jeez do I concur with Larry's advice. You could end up with AC, transmission, suspension, all sorts of nasty problems that you can't even check out because you cannot drive the car. You could get the engine to run and discover it is worn out, overheats, or whatever.

You stand a huge chance of buying a car for $3000 and then spending $5000 on it to make it a $5000 car!

Chuck

I concur. Although Mercedes is not a very common car in Calgary, I'm sure you're going to be able to find a good late eighties 300E in the $12,000-13,000Canadian range. A similar car from the Southern US would be cheaper, as well as rust-free if you combine your vacation with a car purchase trip and drive it back.
BTW, if you decide not to go for it, please let me know which Ford dealership has it. I may consider buying it as a parts car.
Alex
Calgary, Canada
87 MB 260E
75 FIAT 124 Spider