Newbie 230TE Question

[basil67]

Hi,

Seen a 230TE Estate on a dealer website(don't know if I can mention them), I wanted to know what to look for problem wise as:

1. It will be a fair distance to go to discover it's a shed,
2. Perhaps more importantly, my wife thinks £5000 is a lot of money for a 1992J plate car.

any replies would be appreciated.

 

[The Crooner]

Malcolm

1992 J plate = 124?

Why dont you post a link basil67 - I dont imagine many folk on here are going to gazzump you on a 230TE at that price?

Tony

 

[television]

Malcolm

1992 J plate = 124?

Why dont you post a link basil67 - I dont imagine many folk on here are going to gazzump you on a 230TE at that price?

Tony

Thank you very much and deleted

 

[basil67]

Sorry people a bit confused Tony are you talking about Malcolms car? if not Malcolm do you think a link will be deleted?

 

[The Crooner]

basil67

Just post a link to the car.

Malcolm had a very unaccustomed senior moment!

 

[basil67]

OK they can only say no I suppose:

http://www.ccbenz.co.uk/30621/47307.html

 

[simon_wall69]

It is top whack. Especially when you consider it's quite spartan, no airconditioning, etc,.. I would also be a little worried about the towbar - the 230 8valve is a little underpowered to be towing anything heavy.

Have a look at Nick's site if you're interested in one of these, he generally has excellent examples of w124 estates on his website.

www.w124.co.uk

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Hi,

Seen a 230TE Estate on a dealer website(don't know if I can mention them), I wanted to know what to look for problem wise as:

1. It will be a fair distance to go to discover it's a shed,
2. Perhaps more importantly, my wife thinks £5000 is a lot of money for a 1992J plate car.

any replies would be appreciated.

Hi Basil.

Personal view. It does seem to be a super car, well presented, but not cheap. The mileage (119,000) is not excessive for the age. This certainly seems a well resourced specialist, so you would not be hunting for a shed in the Wirrall. I have seen a number of excellent older MBs in Cheshire - retired Manchester solicitors who have cared for them well, used them little, commuted by train and then passed on. When the estate is being cleared, specialists such as this are, I am sure, alert to the possibilities.

If all else is equal, and "all else" could be a shorter or longer list, you are correct, it is a lot of money for an older car - but a nice car. There are other specialsts who you could benchmark it with.

If you are keen, and it is after all a personal choice, you might like to progress your enquiry along the lines - "I had hoped such a car would have air conditioning. This one doesn't, but you say you could fit it for ..... That would make the total price unrealistic. What is your reasonable price for the car with A/C"?

That should polarise the discussion and the response will give you your answer.

Good luck - please keep us advised of progress - it is, after all a very nice car.

 

[television]

Sorry Basil I made a wrong post,so to avoid confusion I took it away

Do have a look on www.124.co.uk

 

[basil67]

Thanks all especially the advice Alex and the 'link' Malcolm. I am still going through the this site for as much info, but will let you know how the quest goes on.

 

[230K]

Hi

It will still have the same problems as a £1500 or £500 model for that matter. Just my opinion. Too much blah blah in the add.

Far too expensive. Why dont you buy a cheap one and take your chances then if you like that model you can search for a minter (at the right money)

230K

 

[The Crooner]

Now that I'm home I tell you what I did. I paid less than one tenth of that asking price for mine, with 190000 miles, an interior nearly as good as that one, and with bodywork not nearly as good, but with a better, more detailed service history which showed an oil change every six thousand miles, and a service every twelve, and never more than eleven months between any attention. It also had 6 months MOT.

It was also sold with an intermittent idle fault which I have nearlly, but not quite sorted.

I've done over 2500 miles in it since I bought it, expect to do another 15-20000, and expect my total cost of ownership, excluding consumables to be nearly nothing, as it will always be worth between £350 - £750.

I love the car, love the fact its an estate (thats why I bought it) but honestly believe there are better ways to spend nearly five grand.

But that's a personal view, I dont have five grand to spend on a car, and even if I did, I wouldn't.

The car in question is worth only what someone will pay for it. If you want it I can understand why and respect your decision - but its a buyers market at the moment, and I would negotiate really hard for that, or any car, and I would start my negotiation at a totally unreasonable offer at the other end of the scale. If the seller is desperate for cash you might get it for a lot less than you think.

 

[The Crooner]

Further to the above, if I bought another it wouldn't be a 230, maybe a 220, probably a 300. The 220 has a more modern FI system, but problems with engine loom wiring which are age not mileage related, the 3 litre is regarded as one of MBs best ever engines, and they go like the proverbial bat out of hell.

 

[Mercedes 190E]

the 3 litre is regarded as one of MBs best ever engines, and they go like the proverbial bat out of hell.

My 300 TE certainly does, even with 235,000 on the clock......
Oh, and I echo the comments above-my car is still superb with that mileage and cost me £700-it also has most of the available options....

 

[stumpy]

CCBenz do have lovely cars with good history, but they price them very high. I wouldn't pay that for that car, I'd go and see Bolide at 124.

 

[SilverSaloon]

CCBenz do have lovely cars with good history, but they price them very high. I wouldn't pay that for that car, I'd go and see Bolide at 124.

OK, i did the same as the OP when buying my 124 estate - i bought it from a specialist (Charles Ironside).

The car is superb though. Cheshire Classic Benz have a very good reputation aswell so it will be a very fine car.

Remember though, even though it appears expensive to some, £4,950 isnt top whack for one of these beasts from a specialist. They often sell for £7k - £10k.

I agree that you should also go an see Bolide's cars and also take a look at some other specialists sites. I'd recommend Charles Ironside, but its down to the particular car at the end of the day.

He has these at the moment:

http://217.118.128.96/charlesironsi...nf2flag=N&-max=2147483647&-recid=33228&-find=

http://217.118.128.96/charlesironsi...nf2flag=N&-max=2147483647&-recid=33205&-find=

http://217.118.128.96/charlesironsi...econf2flag=N&-max=2147483647&-recid=48&-find=

I particulally like his N reg one. I however wanted a diesel so my search was a little harder, but Bolide (www.w124.co.uk) often has good multivalve's in stock.

Good luck anyway - i would have a look at some cheaper ones 1st so you have something to compare it to - i suspect you will find the CCB one looks like a new car all round, whereas the cheap on (£1k to £2k) will have the usual rust, scratches etc common with standard 2nd hand sales.

I think it comes down to whether you want a W124 estate that is in average condition and just an old car, or whether you want a W124 estate that feels like owning one 3 years old and compares to the reliability and cosmetic condition of a new Mondeo estate or similar. Thats what the higher prices get you.

You are also paying the dealer for taking the hassle out of searching for one yourself - thats why you can still buy good cheaper ones elswehere but you need to be able to put in all the leg work yourself, searching for a good car. The dealers have already done that for you and thats where their profit lies.

All IMHO of course

Derek

 

[basil67]

Again Thanks all for the advice, I have viewed the recommended sites, and contacted them re viewings. As for an E300 only a couple on Autotrader at the moment but will research further and look at a few in person. I will be patient as although like everyone I want a nice car, I actually need the bigger car for July when our third child is due.

 

[robparker]

Personally I cant see how it can be worth that much money, there are loads of these 230te's about and although this ones a nice colour it has no spec and the milage isnt 'special'. Im sure its a great car, but im also sure you could find a 230te that hasnt been 'prepped for sale' for £1000 that would be equally as capable. To spend £5k on a 230te it must be very special and you would have to keep milage to a minimum to get anywhere near your money back in the future,, and alot of luck.

 

[Pedronis]

I have quite a nice 230TE K Reg that I would consider selling with a genuine 119k on the clock, 10 months MOT and all past MOT's and bills to prove mileage and am open to offers because it is just sitting on the drive !!

There is nothing wrong with it, I just dont use it anymore since I bought an E320CDI and I think someone should look after it !!

Am I allowed to advertise it here ?

 

[television]

I have quite a nice 230TE K Reg that I would consider selling with a genuine 119k on the clock, 10 months MOT and all past MOT's and bills to prove mileage and am open to offers because it is just sitting on the drive !!

There is nothing wrong with it, I just dont use it anymore since I bought an E320CDI and I think someone should look after it !!

Am I allowed to advertise it here ?

Put it in this section, its free

http://mercedescarfinder.co.uk/