Help!! - I nned some advice buying a 230TE Auto Estate

[RichardMaly]

Hi,

I am new to Mercedez Benz,  I have liked the cars etc. for a long time but the opportunity to own one has never presented itself.  However recently I have been offered a 230TE Estate SportsLine (1991) at a reasonable price, but it has done 170,000 miles.  Should this overly concern me (the previous owners have appeared to serviced the vehicle well). Also is there anything I should look out for before going into negotiations?

 

[sysengb]

Help!!

I bought a 230 TE 1988 about two months ago.It had
170,000 on it too.
So far I've found - worn shocks all round giving a wallowing ride round corners,door check straps need
replacing as they make a horrible cracking noise when opening the door,sunroof leaks into passenger side
making the car damp and smelly(watch out for excessive air fresheners hanging around!),dulled tarnished headlamp reflectors giving poor light,self levelling suspension doesn't work (apparently a switch needs replaced),worn ignition parts,rough idle,loose
exhaust manifold,sticky/non-working electric window switches(need cleaned or replaced),worn steering idler
giving too much steering play.
The good news - the engine is basically OK for it's age
and the car doesn't seem to burn much oil and gives about 31 mpg.Bodywork is VERY good,14 years old and virtually no stone chips.The auto box seems to work really well- nice and smooth.Fantastic brakes with ABS best I've ever seen.I've fixed most of the faults already with the help of the local specialist for the tricky bits.Only got the front shocks to do now to complete.
These faults may or may not be apparent in your car but certainly worth checking as bargaining points.

Regards

Sysengb

 

[SJMaxson]

Help!!

We bought a 1986 230TE Auto Estate last summer.  Lovely car, 132k on the clock (although the clock wasn't working).

However, the previous owners had not serviced it at all, and it showed.  A trip to a local Merc specialist in North Lincolnshire produced a very long list of repairs needed.  We spent over a £1000 on it (including a replaced timing chain which the mechanic replaced for the cost of parts only with no labour) and would have had to spend at least the same again to get through the next MOT.  Lovely to drive, very smooth, excellent bodywork - if the work has been done by the subsequent owner, it would now be a wonderful car.

We traded it it in for a Mondeo estate (since replaced by a 1994 E220 estate with an RAC Inspection!)

 

[wportre]

Help!!

If you've been unleaded throughout, then you won't have this problem, but my 1983 280TE (187k miles) is starting to show its age, burning oil at spec rates (1.5l/1000k) having used none. I think it's the change to LRP unsettling the engine. I think my car is at the end of its life as a result so watch for that one. Check the seats as well, esp. the driver's. Wear at the edge that gets rubbed as yyou get in and out is very usual but expensive to fix (it's a good idea to swap the seats after about 100k: they may have done this). Good luck.