Considering getting a E300D 1995 W124 - what to look for? (Newbie!)

[landspeed]

Hello! This is my first post, so be kind!. I've done a search on this forum but
can't seem to find the answers to some of my questions as below...

I'm considering getting an E300 Diesel, which is made in late 1994. This particular car has been very well cared for, and driving gently, and so on. The condition of it is amazing, literally 'like new' under the bonnet, and the interior, and bodywork (except for the passenger side wing which is beginning to get some rust at the underside of the wheel arch). It is an automatic and has 100,000 miles.

It has been very well cared for, but for the past few (maybe 4) years, hasn't had that much of a service history. It has had regular oil changes, but little else, but is still running perfectly well.

What are the weak points on the E300D that I should look for?. I know that the 'gap' in servicing isn't good, but what should I look out for, to see if there is any damage?. Does this car have any problems with rust, as the later E series seems to have (from reading on this forum?). Do these cars have any problems with head gaskets / big ends / other expensive things? Any problems with the auto box? (I think it is a 3.0 diesel 6 cylinder).

Thanks for your advice

 

[Bolide]

1994 E300 Diesel

If you're looking at a 1994 E300 Diesel, bear in mind that none of the cars I've seen in the last 2-3 years has had less than 130k on the clock and some were on 250k. If there's a gap in the service history then the car has, more than likely, been clocked

Points of failure on these cars are autoboxes - particularly if they've been home-maintained and the gearbox oil & filter hasn't been changed, front balljoints, front arb bushes, prop doughnuts, diff mount bushes, diff input seals, engine mounts, gearbox mounts, steering idlers, steering dampers, rusty front wings, corroded brake pipes, aircon, window winder motors and sunroof mechanisms

None of these is expensive to cure apart from the autobox, aircon & sunroof

Those caveats aside this is probably one of the best Benzes ever built. Just buy with care and budget for a gearbox rebuild in the first two years

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[landspeed]

Thanks for the advice - will give some good pointers to look at properly when I get a chance - sound like it might still be a good buy, as I know the mileage is a genuine 102,000 - so might have some life in it yet!

 

[panzermk6]

Landspeed,
If its genuine 102kmiles,with history,just buy it..

Nick,
Just clicked on your site(very clean looking by the way!),
have you only got two cars for sale? :roll:

 

[Bolide]

Nick,
Just clicked on your site(very clean looking by the way!),
have you only got two cars for sale? :roll:

Down to one now... I need to update it


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[landspeed]

It is genuine 102K miles - and, come to think of it, is probably one of the most well card for W124s out there - always garaged, kept clean, interior is *truly* immaculate etc!.

I have no idea on prices for these sorts of cars - does £2000 seem like a reasonable price for this (given it is probably one of the lower mileage diesels out there) - the car is on an 'M' plate so one of the last W124s out there.

By the way - does anyone know if the car is an Indirect injection? (It is not a CDI). I assume it is a 3.0 litre Diesel if it says '300E Diesel' on the back?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Bolide]

Please put us out of our misery by buying this car!

Please put us out of our misery by buying this car! It's at least £1k too cheap so please buy it and don't gloat too much

If you don't want to buy it for any reason please pass the details to me and I'll pay you a finders fee!

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[landspeed]

Please put us out of our misery by buying this car! It's at least £1k too cheap so please buy it and don't gloat too much

If you don't want to buy it for any reason please pass the details to me and I'll pay you a finders fee!

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

OK... I'll do my best to buy it - it will hopefully be coming up for sale in the next month - and hopefully I will get first refusal!. I'll post back if I manage to get it

Thanks for the advice