Just got a 87' 300E, need some suggestions! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DR88 · #1 07-11-2004, 11:01 PM

My grandma gave me her 300e a couple weeks ago, and it needs some work done.

1) the passengers seat is stuck and wont slide back. everything else works (tilt, and the back of the seat). This just happened today when i decided to move it all the way foward to vacuum

when i slide the control backwards, you can hear the motor give a punching sound (hard to explain)

2) the radio has the infamous dashes, and i dont have the card with the code.

3) The sunroof doesnt work, im guessing the motor is broken, and i would like to know how to replace it, if its not too costly

4) the front right headlight is out, and i was wondering what xenon/halogen brands work good with mb, keeping in mind, cost is a big factor for a 16 year old.

5) i plan on getting all the struts replaced, but is there any way you can point the headlights up (they seem abnormally low)

6) fuel sending unit is bad

7) exhaust has a hole in it about 1 foot behind the muffler, stainless steel exhausts are expensive. any alternatives?

i know this is alot, but its my first car, and i want to get everything working so
the problems dont snowball.

Thanks a bunch
Dan

jrmd01 · #2 07-11-2004, 11:46 PM

First welcome to the Mercedes world....thanks to grandma

1) the passengers seat - tough one. From your description, the switch and motor still works since you can hear them. That means either the cable is messed up. You'll have to remove the seat, flip the seat upside down and take a look.

2) the radio - just install a new one.

3) The sunroof - If it's the motor, you'll looking at maybe a hundred dollars for the motor alone. I'd check the switch first, then maybe grease up the rails. Mine is very slow so I just leave it closed.

4) the front right headlight - since cost is big factor, just get something that works at your local Napa or any automotive parts store. When you're more financiall stable, I'm sure you'll be upgrading to euro lights. Don't waste a bunch of money on headlights now.

5) is there any way you can point the headlights up - yes, every headlights has an adjustment.

6) fuel sending unit is bad - common problem on the mercedes. Luckily it's easy to fix....just remove and replace. Do a search on this forum, its been discussed many times.

7) On my GF's car I once used some puddy and muffler tape to plug up a hole in her muffler so that she could pass California's emission inspection. It worked well. Your only other alternative is to replace the muffler...you're looking at another couple hundred dollars if you go that route.

Fix the most important things first, then little by little get to the others. Once you've got the car mechanically stable, you can start customizing....radio, wheels, suspension, euro headlights, etc.

Good luck.

d2bernhard · #3 07-12-2004, 12:50 AM

How many miles?

DR88 · #4 07-12-2004, 12:59 AM

108,000

my neighbor, whos got 3 mercedes, came over and said the car ran great, and told me to post on this fourm.
one other problem is the antenna, its totally gone, and the motor doesnt work.
i removed the plastic in the trunk, and it seems like its pretty hard to remove the motor housing. any tips?

donbryce · #5 07-12-2004, 09:26 AM

Here's my 2 cents worth for a few of your issues:

1. While the seat is forward, take out the bolts at the back of the rails. You'll still need to move the seat back to remove the front ones, but in case it does go back and not forward again, you're 50% done. All four need to come out to remove the seat.

3. I once has a 1975 450SE with a shot sunroof motor. I discovered that the same motor is used for the windows, it just bolts to a different gearbox. Check yours, and you might find a used window motor easier and cheaper, if that's the problem.

5. Check for a little black plastic lever at the headlights. These are designed to flip the lens up/down to compensate for heavy loads in the trunk.

7. Take the exhaust in to a muffler shop and have it welded up. Yes, you can weld stainless with a mig welder using mild steel wire (which will rust, but that's OK for a quick fix).

Antenna, if it's a Hirschmann, can easily be removed and rebuilt. Well worth while. May just be a dirty mast. Remove the liner to expose the unit. The top in the fender is either in a rubber grommet or has a nut mounting. Undo the nut, if so. Then, undo the bottom mount bolts. Remove radio lead and ground wire, unplug connector. If rubber grommet, just pull down and unpop the unit. When you get it out, repost on the audio forum and search under 'antenna'.

csnow · #6 07-12-2004, 12:18 PM

"4) the front right headlight is out, and i was wondering what xenon/halogen brands work good with mb, keeping in mind, cost is a big factor for a 16 year old."

There is some chance that the socket has melted. Do not put high wattage lights in with stock wiring.

"3) The sunroof doesnt work, im guessing the motor is broken, and i would like to know how to replace it, if its not too costly"

Start with the fuse and the switch.

donbryce · #7 07-12-2004, 02:59 PM

...re. the sunroof again, there should be a nut-like thing right at the motor which is used with a socket to manually open or close the sunroof in the event the motor fails. If the tool kit is still there, it should have the right connector, or find a socket, then see if the roof can be opened/closed manually. This will tell you if there is a broken drive gear or cable (if there is, you'd be better off leaving that job to the last!)

DR88 · #8 07-12-2004, 05:17 PM

i opened the sunroof manually, no problem. when i was closing it, the plastic gear broke off, so the sunroof is half closed. its not supposed to rain till thursday, but this incident was a little discouraging..... any suggestions?