W124 E280 Wiring Question

[eyelight]

Just spotted a 1995 E280 estate at a local used car dealer. They say they've been using it as their runaround car for the past few weeks, but it will be going on sale soon. I asked about a service history and it the wiring loom had ever been replaced.

They said that part of the wiring loom had been replaced recently, as the traction control had been acting up, and a warning light had been on.

Is this to do with the dreaded disintegrating wiring loom in these 6 cylinder cars or is that something else which will rear it's head in time ?

Anyway, I only had time for a quick look at the car. might get back there again later.

Thanks.

 

[stumpy]

Its a good sign if the loom has been repaired. Don't know if it triggered the Traction Control problem, but it saves you from getting it done anyway.

 

[kth286]

eyelight

I am a bit cautious because there were not many W124 cars with ASR traction control.

You need to get the VIN. (As you know you can see it through the windscreen).

Then get the total spec of the car by typing the VIN on the Russian site.

Are the Vendors Merc specialists or just a general car retailer ? They may not know what they have got.

Also where was the repair done ? a merc specialist ?

 

[eyelight]

The dealers aren't Mercedes specialists, just a general used car dealer.
Had a test drive in the car this morning , and apart from a very squeaky fan belt, it drives very well. Dealer says it's a "dry belt" and it "needs a bit of WD40". Doesn't sound like a good solution to me.

Their story is that they sold the car to another customer about 2 months ago. He only had the car a short time when the wiring loom gave trouble. He returned the car under warranty. Dealer said Mercedes wanted £2000 to replace the loom !, but they had it done by a local auto electrician, and have been using it as a run around at the garage for past month. No problems since then.

ASR might be a rare option on a W124, but this car also has a snow chain switch ! which is mentioned on Bolide's W124 site, so somebody did tick some unusual boxes when ordering. No cruise control or alloys though.

Blipping the throttle with my hand under the bonnet amde this ASRlight on the dash come on, but after turning the car off and restarting all lights stayed off.

Seems like a good solid car, so we're just trying to weigh up how much heavieron petrol it would be than our E220.