I have sevral mercedes that I'm looking at. They range from the 300e, 300ce and 400e 1988-1993. I can't get over the deals I'm seeing. I've allways liked this body style but are they wurth buying? All have between 80k and 120k miles. What should I be looking for. Thank you to anyone who can help. Marcus form Kissimmee Florida.

 

1988 -1993 ?

That is 16 to 21 years old and they claim these cars have 76 K - 120 K miles ?

This would mean an average of 3600 - 7500 miles per year ?

Let me guess............all these cars belonged to elderly people, who parked their cars in the garage and never used them.

I don't know how it goes in the US, but in Europe 'turning back the clock' is a favorite sport of some car dealers.

If something sounds too good to be true..........it usually is.

You may want to do an extensive technical check before you buy one of these cars. Corrosion will not be a problem, but you may want to check compression, gear box, drive shaft etc.
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Colorado dispensary

 

Thanks for the reply. I would defenitly have a mechanic inspect it, Mercedes mechanic if there is one not to far. One Mercedes I'm looking at is a 92 300ce w/127000 miles. Looks like its in great shape and they have all maintenance records. (private seller) they are asking 5900. I do know that a lot of Mercedes owners take good care of there cars in the States and I'm sure we have some that just hotrod around but if I hade a choise between a 20 year old Mercedes and a 3 or 4 year US car, 20 years is nothing. I do have another question. The 300e straight 6. Is it much better to have than the 400e v8 as for maintenance and reliability?

 

[QUOTE=yonsayvitch;127093]One Mercedes I'm looking at is a 92 300ce w/127000 miles. Looks like its in great shape and they have all maintenance records. (private seller) they are asking 5900. QUOTE]

$5900 is what £3300 GBP. That sounds like a hell of lot for a 1992 300ce. That sort of money would get you a great condition late W140, with maybe 60-70k miles in todays market.

Have used cars in the USA not plumeted in value, like in Europe, sureley they have? It sounds like the seller is asking for way too much IMO.

For example, check out:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk...cleRegLetter=K

There is a 1993 320CE for £2,695, which has gone 58k, from a trade company, with a FSH etc, in good condition....

Why is the one you are looking at worth so much more, I am intrigued?

 

People always try to get the highest possible price for their cars and if they have the idea the car is special they will also ask a special price.
In the end you must ask yourself whether you want to pay that money or not, only you can make that decision.

As for 'shady' car traders you have to be extremely careful. Even maintenance booklets don't give you any proof, because they can buy these booklets almost everywhere for a few bucks. Then they will fabricate a stamp and all of a sudden you have a new technical history of a car. It happens on a daily basis.
The only way to avoid this is to check with Mercedes-Benz whether this car exists in their database, because normally they have to enter the mileage every time the car is serviced or checked.

The car with the 58 K for 2695 ?
Only after an extremely thorough check would I look at this car. 58 K requires a very good explanation, because the car should have at least 3 to 4 times that amount.
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Maxima cam

 

I would not say it requires a very good explanation, in many parts of the UK, for example if it is a car that has spent its life in a city, e.g London suburbs and is the family's second car then 3.5k miles a year (just taking the kids to school, and shopping etc), or if it has been used by someone to drive a short distance to work and back, is not unrealistic, and you do see lots and lots of them. For a lot of people, who commute to work on a train or bus, the car may only be used at the weekend. There are lots of A Classes that I have seen recently from 1999/2000 which have done miles in the very low 30k region, at Merc dealers for example.

But you are right, you do need to ask about its usage and check the MOT history to see if it tallies. But I would not be suspecious just because of the low milage alone here it the UK anyway. In the USA where distances are much greater than yes I would wonder I supose.

I think I am right in saying that you do not have a legal requirement for a yearly MOT in the USA, you do here in the UK, and it is much harder to hide major clocking over time as a result. As long as all the MOT certificates are there you can see the miles per year, and check the service history and car condition, and you will soon see if it all tallies. You can also check if a mot certificate is a fake too, by phoning a govt helpline, so yes they can be faked, but its easy to check and find fakes if you check things out well.

Old cars, with large engines don't go down well here in the UK with high petrol tax, and car tax, so that will probably reduce the value a bit too, compared to the USA.

 

mint condition 1992 300E in june for $2700 low miles and still ran 135plus on the way to deliver it.
5k is to high for even the lowest mile 1993. Shop around craigslist owner cars.
You will find they are out there great deals if you are willing to look at a few and be ready to jump when the right one comes around.
Don't forget to look at the 190E in all of it's various engine sizes.
ohlord

might be worth your inspection

Mercedes Benz 300E 60,000k Miles 1993 - $2900 (Miami Gardens)
Date: 2009-09-28, 7:00AM EDT
Reply to: sale-xvtza-1395891506@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

This car is driven by an old lady very clean from inside, drives like brnd new it has four brand new tires and the spare tire has never been used as well as the car jack, original car tools from the factory still in the platic bag never been opend automatic seat adjuster on each front door, sun roof call me or email me .

 

I have a mercedes 1992 300ce, and i love it. It has 230k on it straight six, green with beige leather interior, yeah this model is still nice to look at its a 2 door coupe, I am selling it, im getting a 600, stepping it up. if your interested let me know email me at preech7@gmail.com

 

Hey marcus i have a 300 ce for sale green beige interior for 2600 im the 2nd owner, straight six, 230k on it, u know how it go ,email me if u interested preech7@gmail.com i can send you pictures