300 E engine-any issues?

[Mercedes 190E]

Hi All
Still on my quest for a W124 estate.
Are there any particular issues with the 3 litre 300 engine (1990 ish) that would be any different to the other Mercedes power units? Anything to look for, or additional checks to make?
Many thanks in advance.

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Do you want a petrol or diesel, both 3 litres?

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Its the petrol I'm interested in.

 

[hardtop]

3ltr inline six is a tough old unit just do normal checks as you would any other car you might buy. cheack water + oil are in the right places not mixed oil pressure black smoke & steady temp reading if it looks right & sounds right it prob is

 

[jibcl500]

Thirsty if pushed, some service parts can be expensive but great engine.

jib

 

[Mercedes 190E]

I hope you are all right-the deed is done....more to follow !

 

[jibcl500]

Send the pics through.
jib

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Ok-if this works, photos below! (Better sized ones to follow when I pick it up.) Its a black 300 TE with grey leather trim. Seems to be very nice, but it is an eBay purchase, so we will see when I go to get it!

 

[television]

Looking forward to hearing more

 

[Mercedes 190E]

More details will follow as soon as I have it. (Friday) Meanwhile, I always make a point of picking up a workshop manual for all my cars. Can anyone recommend the best to buy? I see that there are a couple of types on fleabay, as well as the Haynes.
Many thanks!

 

[wireman]

The Haynes is OK as far as it goes which is quite deep, the fleabay DVD/CD items are probably illegal copies of trade stuff and as such should not be on there at all or on any other web based oracle, that said the millers repair disks contain a wealth of info that is hard to find elsewhere if you can afford to pay for legal copies. It attracts the attention of copyright lawyers to openly discuss the supply of pirate data disks and some forums will ban you for doing so.

Good luck with the car, dont worry about the engine with the sort of milages these cars often cover its all the rubber bits that make up the suspension that can cost a lot to get repaired, if you mend it yourself it can be quite cheap if a little time consuming.

There is always this little slice of cyberspace to try and help you, but its good to hear from one who it seems is prepared to look at in the good book before asking for help.

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Thanks for that. I wouldnt buy the illegal ones anyway, but the other type I spotted was item no 380067069790 which is definitely a book type manual. Not seen anything like it before, so was wondering if anyone has one. Meanwhile, I will invest in a Haynes!

 

[Mercedes 190E]

New car!

The new car ! W124 300 TE in metallic charcoal, with full grey leather, orthoepedic air seats etc etc etc. eBay special for £750-well pleased!

 

[Alex M Grieve]

The new car ! W124 300 TE in metallic charcoal, with full grey leather, orthoepedic air seats etc etc etc. eBay special for £750-well pleased!

Fantastic. If the mechanicals are half as good as the presentation, an absolute winner.

Mr Picky might deduct a point for the black scuff on the driver's door sill, but what the hell. How do you get that much car for £750??

 

[Mercedes 190E]

The only thing I forgot to clean too......

The car has high miles (221,000) but full merc history till 174,000 and independent since then. A folder FULL of receipts and old MOTs. Drives like new......
A few rust bubbles on the drivers front wing (Front part) which I will get sorted soon. No other significant rust. A dent in the tailgate (small) also to be sorted-otherwise blemish-free !

 

[brianbrian]

Hi,check L shaped pipe that runs from front gearbox flexi pipe, to under radiator, at this age they are normaly quite rusty about £40 from mercedes, But still cheaper than replacing gearbox if oil all comes out. Brian

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Thanks Brian-will do.

 

[Bolide]

Nice colour combination. Ortho seats & cruise, too! That car looks to have a tidy interior and that's a very good sign - it's probably been well-maintained

You really can't beat a good, early, loaded W124 estate

...but you do have to keep your eyes peeled for rust, worn front balljoints & corroded self-levelling / fuel / brake pipes

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Nice colour combination. Ortho seats & cruise, too! That car looks to have a tidy interior and that's a very good sign - it's probably been well-maintained

You really can't beat a good, early, loaded W124 estate

...but you do have to keep your eyes peeled for rust, worn front balljoints & corroded self-levelling / fuel / brake pipes

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

Thanks Nick-I am very pleased with it. Yes, it has complete history, first Mercedes and then independant. It came with an A4 ringbinder of receipts! The interior is perfect other than some cracking of the leather on the drivers bolster-only cracking though, not rips or holes!
The only rust I have found so far is the front of the OSF wing, bottom of the drivers door and some in the tailgate aperture and rear window surrounds. Most of this is not bad enough to warrant professional attention yet, but I am going to get a bodyshop to fix the front wing because its the only visible thing that lets the car down.
Regarding the ball joints-a slight knock at full lock ? I suspected they might be to blame. Is that an easy job? (Bought a Haynes manual and it doesnt even seem to mention them, let alone tell you how to change them!!

 

[Bolide]

The Haynes manual is a mixed blessing. It's hopelessly incorrect in lots of areas, particularly in the wiring diagrams. You could get a WIS subscription and spend lots of time online but a bit of patient investigation of the car will give up most of what you need to know

The indicator of worn balljoints is creaking over speed humps or when manoeuvering at very low speed

I wouldn't class the balljoints as a DIY job. A good indie could do the pair in less than a couple of hours and the parts should be about £13 each. I'd check the front springs for breakage and replace the front ARB bushes while you're at it

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk