W124 E320 found, want to buy it, advice needed!

[David2]

Hi all,

Would appreciate some advice.

Since a previous post, I've found a w124 E320 saloon, '94, with 98,000miles. Silver, black leather. Two owners, full service history. Private sale, seller is asking £3,950. Given that Parkers etc say this model at this year should go for more like £6,000, should I be suspicious, or is Parkers etc inaccurate and the price of this model all over the place anyway? Body is superb, engine starts from cold with no smoke, tappety for about 10 seconds then very smooth and quiet with no funny sounds. I've no knowledge of this car, but auto box seems ok, the usual subdued clunk into drive or r, that's about it. Changes are imperceptible - is this normal?

Finally, if she sounds good, what can i expect obver the next 20 - 30,000 miles as far as repairs etc go? I've heard some stories about head gaskets blowing at 115,000 - is it a good idea to let this hapepn,or to have the head sorted before this happens?

All advice welcome, I want to buy the right car and plan to keep it for a while.

By the way, my first ever drive in a 320 - god, does it shift!

Cheers,
David.

 

[kensalriser]

No specialist advice on this particular model, but Parkers is only ever a rough guide - although if it's a post facelift 124, which I think the 320 is, 4k doesn't sound too bad at all if the condition really is good.
Check the vehicle provenance (do an hpi) and go through all the service history, ie not just the book but all the receipts and the MOTs to check mileage. Call the servicing garage and ask them if they know the car and can verify any of the info.
I would also get it checked over by a specialist garage - well worth it.