whysub
Part of things
Posts: 65
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Dec 31, 2014 23:58:29 GMT
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Advertised locally with "offers invited". Petrol, auto, 120k,full history, leather, alloys, 2 owners from new, absolutely as standard
Only had a quick look (will be going back for a proper look underneath) but blemish free and no sign of rust in the usual Mercedes areas.
If it is good underneath and under the bonnet I'd like to make an offer before someone else gets it
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1989 Mercedes 300EMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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Hard to say fella maybe around £1200ish depending on condition/ history
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Fraud owners club member 2003 W211 Mercedes E class 1989 Sierra sapphire 1998 ex bt fiesta van
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THE_Liam
Yorkshire and The Humber
If at first you don't succeed... HAMMERS.
Posts: 1,363
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Petrol W124 saloons aren't worth all that much, but if it's as clean as it sounds I'd say a grand, but at the end of the day it's only worth what you're happy to pay for it.
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I struggled to get £750 for a near mint 1994 W124 E280. Estates that are mint, particularly the oil burners are where the money is at present. 124 saloons seem to be bottoming out value wise, just like the 123 did about 10 years back when I was picking them up for £300.
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whysub
Part of things
Posts: 65
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Thanks. I checked closed listings through eBay to see what they sold for, and found many of the cars put on there hadn't actually sold.
just got back from looking at it properly. The car is excellent - well cared for with solid floor, front wings and rear arches and quarter panels. Engine is dirty BUT with no sign of oil or water leaks. Engine very quiet and gear changes very smooth, as is kick down, and has service history (last done 4000 miles ago).
inside is very good, with just a slight creasing on the drivers seat bolster, but I can sort that easily (I have seen many with shabby cloth interiors that I can't).
So based on what is written here and from my research I made an offer and left him my number should he wish to accept it. It was lower than he is asking for, but I don't think insultingly so. He wants to sell, but doesn't need to, so I will see if he calls back or not.
Can't see why without regular cleaning and routine maintenance it can't go on for a few more years without losing much in value, and being something a bit different. Insurance quotes of £98 fully comp it looks a good overall package. The alternative is a twelve year old Focus with double the insurance costs.
oh curse word, looks like I've talked myself into really wanting it!
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Last Edit: Jan 2, 2015 15:55:45 GMT by whysub
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THE_Liam
Yorkshire and The Humber
If at first you don't succeed... HAMMERS.
Posts: 1,363
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These old Mercs are really strong, done 14k in my old 190E this year and it's cost nothing besides oil, filters, a water pump and a blower motor, literally nothing! Lots of unleaded though, they love the stuff.
As for the mucky engine, I prefer that, a clean one makes me suspicious, as if they've cleaned leaks off.
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whysub
Part of things
Posts: 65
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I struggled to get £750 for a near mint 1994 W124 E280. Estates that are mint, particularly the oil burners are where the money is at present. 124 saloons seem to be bottoming out value wise, just like the 123 did about 10 years back when I was picking them up for £300. I've just had a look at the prices of W123's now, they are a lot more than that £300. If this is the case that W124 values are bottoming out, then now is probably a good time to buy. Hoping that with nothing more than a little TLC and regular maintenance one of these will give me more driving pleasure than buying a modest and cheap 3 door hatchback.
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GT4ME
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,729
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Did you check under the lower side mouldings, the post 88 ones always seem to corrode worse under there.
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I struggled to get £750 for a near mint 1994 W124 E280. Estates that are mint, particularly the oil burners are where the money is at present. 124 saloons seem to be bottoming out value wise, just like the 123 did about 10 years back when I was picking them up for £300. I've just had a look at the prices of W123's now, they are a lot more than that £300. If this is the case that W124 values are bottoming out, then now is probably a good time to buy. Hoping that with nothing more than a little TLC and regular maintenance one of these will give me more driving pleasure than buying a modest and cheap 3 door hatchback. 123s have gone up loads over the last 5 years. My daily driver is a 1979 230 and it's great. Now is a good time to pick up a cheap 124 as there's still loads about and they're under valued IMO.
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1989 Mercedes 300EMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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I know of a 560 sel that has been on a driveway in my inlaws road for three years,it's very tidy bodily but covered in grime, I'm thinking of having a sniff at it
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Fraud owners club member 2003 W211 Mercedes E class 1989 Sierra sapphire 1998 ex bt fiesta van
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THE_Liam
Yorkshire and The Humber
If at first you don't succeed... HAMMERS.
Posts: 1,363
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I know of a 560 sel that has been on a driveway in my inlaws road for three years,it's very tidy bodily but covered in grime, I'm thinking of having a sniff at it Can't see any reason that would be a bad idea
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whysub
Part of things
Posts: 65
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Well, needless to say this morning I purchased it. I had no option but to buy it, as it in great condition, drives really well (and very quiet), lovely smooth gear changes up and down. The leather interior is unmarked. There is a bit of service history with it, but it has mostly been carried out by the last owner and by an independant Mercedes mechanic. I had a real good look today with the aid of a torch, and there were no tell tale signs of oil leaks from either the back of the head or the can cover at the front. There is no sign of oil in the water and the engine oil and transmission fluids are lovely and clean.So a deal was done (which was a very good deal for me). It started easily with no smoke from the exhaust-even though it hadn't been driven for three months (since the date of the MOT)
There were some things that became evident when I drove it away, which were:
1). The engine ran a bit lumpily at low speed (i.e at junctions) 2). Lots of condensation on the interior glass 3). Heating fan motor very noisy and sluggish I took it for a 50 mile drive by taking the long way home, and that sorted out the lumpy running-it runs like a swiss watch now. The condensation did reduce with the heater going (but see below). I'll sort that out using the method of half filling a biscuit tin salt and leaving one in the front footwell and one on the back seat(it really works), but nicer weather than what we have now and a bit of use will help.
However, the interior fan packed upon the drive home-it was making really loud squealing and rumbling noises and sounded like it was under strain, and then it stopped. Result was the windows steamed up quickly unless I was moving.
I will check the fuses tomorrow when it is light, but suspect the motor has seized. Having had a look on youtube this evening it seems straightforward to get to, if a little fiddly. However I am unsure what fan my car has fitted, as it could be the one with two fans (described as squirrels on some websites), one fan either side of the motor, or a single fan sitting underneath the motor. Before I order a replacement, how do I know which one is fitted to my car (the car has is air conditioning, but not climate control)
When I got home I found that the key would not turn the drivers door lock-I can lock and unlock it via the passenger door and boot. I see that the door has a large rubber bung at the height of the door lock, something I'll look into tomorrow. And I'll get some photos too.
Overall it was a bargain, even with these niggles to sort out-it is 26 years old after all.
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Glad you bought it, now we need pics!
There are 4, yes 4! differing types of fan. Also depending on if your car has factory or aftermarket fitted air con, the fans are removed in different ways.
Behind that rubber bung is an allen bolt for releasing the door lock barrel. Loosen this bolt, then try to turn the key whilst pulling it backwards.
One bit of advice I will give you, start saving for a new Bosch distributor cap and rotor arm. Your engine (the m103) eats these for fun, and the aftermarket stuff lasts for a few days at most.
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Last Edit: Jan 4, 2015 23:42:28 GMT by carat 3.6
1988 Mercedes w124 superturbo diesel 508hp 1996 Mercedes s124 e300 diesel wagon 1990 BMW E30 V8 M60 powered! 1999 BMW E46 323ci project car
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whysub
Part of things
Posts: 65
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Thanks Carat-I was aware that the distributer cap could cause issues if pattern ones were fitted. It looks to be OK but whether it is Bosch or not I don't know, but I'll have a proper look tomorrow. Went out in it again this evening and it is fine now-think it was damp from sitting around for months.
I'll post some photo's tomorrow once I have given it a good wash and wax, and have cleaned the wheels.
I'll also ring Waterhouse in Braintree to see if they can tell me what fan is fitted from me giving them the VIN.
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Thanks Carat-I was aware that the distributer cap could cause issues if pattern ones were fitted. It looks to be OK but whether it is Bosch or not I don't know, but I'll have a proper look tomorrow. Went out in it again this evening and it is fine now-think it was damp from sitting around for months. I'll post some photo's tomorrow once I have given it a good wash and wax, and have cleaned the wheels. I'll also ring Waterhouse in Braintree to see if they can tell me what fan is fitted from me giving them the VIN. No worries, anything you need to know about these just ask. Take a look at the 3 square air con buttons, if it has aftermarket aircon the cutout in the wood trim for these buttons will look different to the switches above. You can see where the wood was cut on the aftermarket cars, vs a nice rounded off edge on the factory setup.
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1988 Mercedes w124 superturbo diesel 508hp 1996 Mercedes s124 e300 diesel wagon 1990 BMW E30 V8 M60 powered! 1999 BMW E46 323ci project car
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GT4ME
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,729
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Great stuff, look forward to seeing the photos.
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THE_Liam
Yorkshire and The Humber
If at first you don't succeed... HAMMERS.
Posts: 1,363
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I've just done the blower motor on my W201, mine died the same way, was noisy for ages, then finally started screaming and seized. When I got it out the bearings had collapsed.
It's a fiddly job but not too bad, that's on a W201 though.
Let's have some photos then!
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whysub
Part of things
Posts: 65
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It's had a good wash (not that it was dirty) and a wax, Needs the inside glass degreased and cleaned, and the over mats shampooed next. Just a few little paint blemishes (but not dings or dents) here and there, but generally very good and straight. I think the front nearside wing has been replaced because I think I can see a very slight difference in colour. Started first turn of the key and ticked over as it should, and pulled away with no hesitation. Just as it should do. So here are some photos: Still a little condensation in the rear window: Under the bonnet (think I'll respray or chrome the air filter top though) The small amount of wear on the drivers seat. A bit of black dye and some Gliptone will have it like new: Debadged rear end: Still has the original real number plate (and the dealer sticker in the back window: Air con switches-does this help in tracking down what fan I will need?: I presume this is the 1989 pre face lift model? When taking the photos I stepped backwards and my calf caught the bottom rubbing strip on the door-I hear a ping at the same time. The strip is now bent, and no amount of glue will hold it against the door without it springing out again. That will teach me to be so clumsy-I presume I can get this from Mercedes? On the plus side, not sign of rust underneath the strip.
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Straight looking pre facelift car - I think these are better looking than the facelift cars. I can't see the front wings - are they rust free? They've probably been replaced once or twice if they're rot free!
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whysub
Part of things
Posts: 65
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Front wings rust free-last owner used to wash the inner wheel arch lips-there was no build up of muck there when I cleaned them today.
The front nearside wing looks a slightly different shade of gold under street lights, so probably been replaced. I'll keep them clean and hopefully avoid any future issues.
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