axeboy
Part of things
Posts: 323
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Hey Guys
Not that I need another car but this was too good to miss. Spotted locally, it seems in good clean condition with better bodywork than many newer cars. Sellers photo:
So its a 1988 W124 300e. Its had 7 owners and has 90k on the clock. Has good history with 21 stamps and some receipts etc all there. Electrics all seem to work including the sunroof. All appears to be in pretty good condition overall but my starting list is this:
Little bubbling on back arch Electric Aerial not working Aircon needs a "regas", I assume some of the pipework is actually corroded Doesn't need serviced but is being done none for peace of mind - filters, oil etc Parking brake hasn't been used, only left in park - to be investigated Underside looks excellent - might re-underseal anyway Full clean inside and out, ill give the clay bar a try
That's the plan for the next short time before I get to know the car and expand the list
Any help and advice appreciated. Anything people recommend would be great and if you spot anything in the pics needing work, please let me know!
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Last Edit: Nov 8, 2015 11:21:14 GMT by axeboy
08 Legacy 2.5GT Type S 18 Vito 119 Tourer 82 Mini City 89 Skyline GTR 08 GS460
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axeboy
Part of things
Posts: 323
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08 Legacy 2.5GT Type S 18 Vito 119 Tourer 82 Mini City 89 Skyline GTR 08 GS460
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1988 Mercedes 300e w124Mercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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Great car, keep updating I like these mercs, another on my bucket list!
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Fraud owners club member 1999 Jaguar s type 1993 ford escort
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🇿🇼Kingludba🇬🇧
Part of things
If in doubt... flat out !
Posts: 975
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I like these too. I have given up on finding a decently priced e30 in good condition. As above, one on my bucketlist...
What does it drive like?
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`99 BMW 528i auto - current `01 Merc C320 - Gone `01 Forester S-Turbo - Sold `89 BMW 320i Convertible - Sold(shoulda kept it ) `88 Toyota MR2 T-Bar - Sold `89 BMW 325i touring - Sold `89 BMW 535i - Let her go too early `85 BMW 320i 2 door - Rust = character `00 Subaru Impreza Turbo wagon - Sold (engine failure) `93 BMW 325i - Sold
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axeboy
Part of things
Posts: 323
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Truthfully, I don't really know! At my mates garage and it all seems to be very good though. He's going to service it, MOT it (doesn't need it but peace of mind), check the aircon and then check the parking brake. Once that's done, I'll collect and work on the other bits myself.
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08 Legacy 2.5GT Type S 18 Vito 119 Tourer 82 Mini City 89 Skyline GTR 08 GS460
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axeboy
Part of things
Posts: 323
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Also, parts seem pretty cheap so far. Having a wee look online they seem to be readily available and good prices, bonus.
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08 Legacy 2.5GT Type S 18 Vito 119 Tourer 82 Mini City 89 Skyline GTR 08 GS460
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Yet another really nice spec "proper" Merc on here. 90k is very low mileage for a car of this type and age. Keep us posted with any updates.
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axeboy
Part of things
Posts: 323
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Had a look today and the car has been inspected at my mates garage. Some good some bad, but overall good. Diff is leaking - this is the bad Loads of history with it, build cards etc Doesn't need a service, filters are new and the oil is fresh Electric aerial is fine, just left up 1/2 way The garage expected the wheels etc to have a little play, there is no play, bonus! Slight oil leak in the engine, just a mild mist, been advised to just leave it Sounds really sweet when running Its got flippy headrests - maybe not standard? So, overall good... the diff concerns me a little but appears common. Hopefully have it home in a few days. Few pics from today, again, anything of note let me know please! My R32 engine was lurking in the workshop nearby, the mind wanders......
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08 Legacy 2.5GT Type S 18 Vito 119 Tourer 82 Mini City 89 Skyline GTR 08 GS460
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I think I spoke to the seller about this car but didn't manage to get through for a look, it sounded like a great opportunity. Health to enjoy it.
Don't worry about the diff at this mileage unless there's any evidence it's been run dry (whining or clunking). They're very easy to access to refill. The handbrakes on auto W124s don't tend to get used much so it's quite common for the cable/ratchet/pedal/handle to be sticking. I've had the cable off a few of them and just squirted gear oil down with a tiny syringe.
For W124 parts, it's always worth checking the dealer. If the part is in stock they can usually do you a discount to get it moved off their shelf and some of them will phone around other Benz dealers in the same group to get parts for you. There are two guys at Newbridge in Edinburgh who seem knowledgeable and interested in the older models, they've been very good to me over the years.
Pull and clean the fuses and the terminals if your mechanic hasn't already done it. I've done that a few times to clear errors (ABS and other sensors). If the fuses and terminals are as clean as the rest of the car looks it won't be critical but will be an excellent bit of preventative maintenance.
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axeboy
Part of things
Posts: 323
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Appreciated, thanks for the info
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08 Legacy 2.5GT Type S 18 Vito 119 Tourer 82 Mini City 89 Skyline GTR 08 GS460
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Lush, a proper Merc.
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Nice old barge. Re the aircon, cars of that era used R12 refrigerant and therefore most places will look at the connectors with a bewildered look as they are different for r134. Probably why it hasn't been kept working. Some systems will work with 134 as a straight swap but not always for long. You can get conversion connectors for R134 off the bay of evil but the system may require work (replacement of seals and other bits) to run R134. I would try an aircon specialist for advice and see what they say about it before you decide to spend on a re-gas.
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Needs a bigger hammer mate.......
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0a
Part of things
Enjoying old German barges
Posts: 31
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For W124 parts, it's always worth checking the dealer. If the part is in stock they can usually do you a discount to get it moved off their shelf and some of them will phone around other Benz dealers in the same group to get parts for you. There are two guys at Newbridge in Edinburgh who seem knowledgeable and interested in the older models, they've been very good to me over the years. That's very useful to know. Just up the road from me! I bought a 300e 3 years ago and I love mine. There is something so relaxing about getting back into it after driving other cars. This one looks like a fantastic buy. Well done!
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Last Edit: Nov 9, 2015 23:31:52 GMT by 0a
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Nov 10, 2015 10:23:09 GMT
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That's very useful to know. Just up the road from me! I don't suppose it's you who has the Edinburgh area W124 with one odd 8 hole alloy and three 15 hole alloys?
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Last Edit: Nov 10, 2015 10:24:20 GMT by Battles
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0a
Part of things
Enjoying old German barges
Posts: 31
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Nov 10, 2015 22:15:19 GMT
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That's very useful to know. Just up the road from me! I don't suppose it's you who has the Edinburgh area W124 with one odd 8 hole alloy and three 15 hole alloys? It's not I'm afraid! There are a LOT of us in Edinburgh with W124s though. I drove across town one weekend and counted 7 W124s on a trip of only a few miles a couple months ago without trying. The capital of old retro Mercness!
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🇿🇼Kingludba🇬🇧
Part of things
If in doubt... flat out !
Posts: 975
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Mosselman twin turbo.......
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`99 BMW 528i auto - current `01 Merc C320 - Gone `01 Forester S-Turbo - Sold `89 BMW 320i Convertible - Sold(shoulda kept it ) `88 Toyota MR2 T-Bar - Sold `89 BMW 325i touring - Sold `89 BMW 535i - Let her go too early `85 BMW 320i 2 door - Rust = character `00 Subaru Impreza Turbo wagon - Sold (engine failure) `93 BMW 325i - Sold
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axeboy
Part of things
Posts: 323
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Nov 20, 2015 21:16:13 GMT
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Got the car back today, all good Brakes needed rebuilding as the parking brake was borked and the bias was off, but its driving well. Injectors cleaned too and its running smooth. So far so good. Will update with pics and detail tomorrow
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Last Edit: Nov 20, 2015 21:16:21 GMT by axeboy
08 Legacy 2.5GT Type S 18 Vito 119 Tourer 82 Mini City 89 Skyline GTR 08 GS460
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neil79
Part of things
Posts: 140
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Awesome cars, I must have a W124 on my drive soon!
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axeboy
Part of things
Posts: 323
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Nov 21, 2015 10:52:13 GMT
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Ok, I have a little time to be more detailed. Service book is full which is great, in fact, its be used up so I'll need to get either another book or use receipts. It has the original bill of sale to R&B Decorator Ltd, SE20 in 1988. Comes with the manual, service book and all the bits you would want to see including 2 keys, bonus. Seems to include the build cards from the workshop too which is nice. Lots of MOT's and a history check so mileage seems to be genuine. Last owner was a bus driver and only used the car now and again. Its had the following recently: New windscreen New water pump & sensor 4 new shocks Suspension bushes Downpipe Alternator and battery On the codes most of it appears to be standard: Exterior Colour 199: Blue Black Metalic Interior trim 275: Muchroom Leather 286 Magazine Nets 412 Electric Sunroof 420 Switchable Automatic Gearbox - I assume standard? 570 Front Armrest 507 Heated Mirrors & Electric NS mirror 441 Electric Steering Column 430 Rear Headrests 524 Paint preservation So, on my todo/done list I have: Cold central vents - appears to be the way they are designed, but even when closed some cold is coming through Dim Dash - Didn't realise at first but the odometer twist adjusts this, again, bonus! New Mats - Didn't need any, standards ones are as new Parking brake fixed - rebuilt Brake bias off - as above, rebuilt and sorted Fresh MOT done and passed Slightly lumpy - injectors cleaned Serviced - Oil and filters done Slight diff oil leak - I'll monitor this whilst using Aircon not cold - assume borked and not worth fixing Electric Aerial not working Remove and clean all the fuses as advised by good fellows here Slow central locking - investigate So, that's it. Overall it drives very well. Super refined for nearly 30 years old. It has a very slight rumble at speed but I'll likely get the balancing/tracking done along with 4 new tyres soon. They seem pretty cheap anyway. Weather dependant, I'll clean and polish it soon. I might take the clay bar to it too. Any advice on the bits needing done above appreciated.
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Last Edit: Nov 21, 2015 10:55:01 GMT by axeboy
08 Legacy 2.5GT Type S 18 Vito 119 Tourer 82 Mini City 89 Skyline GTR 08 GS460
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Nov 21, 2015 11:03:03 GMT
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Yes she looks realy nice ,hope you have a pleanty cash to throw at it .I am in the same boat .All the plastic parts are ready to snap of so be really carefull removing items .Main probs are water pumps ,door check straps going off like a gun as you open the doors . Water leaks, the main one is rust. If i can help please pm .But after all these are 27 years old now .Seen a few cars off by now and still motering on.
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