Never owned a Mercedes. Always loved the W126 body. Currently have the opportunity to buy a 1989 300SE from my neighbor. Car has 51K miles. One owner, bought new at the end of 1989. Car is always garaged during the winter, and serviced by MB technicians. He is asking $7K. I've been looking online (cars.com, autotrader, ebaymotors, etc.) for a 1991 300SE with low mileage.

1) Would you please tell me the major differences between the 1989 and the 1991 300SE?
2) Any problem areas I should be aware? (e.g., transmission, engine, suspension, electrical, etc.)
3) Mercedes engines/transmission have a reputation for durability when properly maintained. How many miles before I should have to deal with transmission or engine rebuild.
4) Any rust problems with this model year
5) Any othe advice

Finally, Is this a reasonable price for this model with the existing mileage?

I am a car enthusiast. I do all the maintenance and some of the mechanical on my cars. But I've never worked on a Mercedes.

Thanks,
Guido

 

1) None too much. 1990-1991 passenger airbags standard.
2) Some minor electrical glitches such as some accesories or window switches might stick or not work as well. Failing A/C system. R-12 unless converted.
3) Around 200K usually for trans. and usually well above 200K for Engine.
4) No if properly kept. and rare if unkept. (If the car was in New England or where there's a lot of snow/salt most of it's life, check the under the car and look at the exhaust system.
5) Enjoy and do the work yourself.

$7 is basically a bargain. With 51K? It's a steal. Most of the time they go for at least $7500-$8000 in near perfect and up condition.
And don't be scared of the Mercedes having a rep for being complicated. The W126 is not, especially compared to today models. The BMWs of that era much more complicated. If you have a basic understanding of cars mechanical working, you shoud be fine. The most costliest thing and hardest thing to work on is anything that involves removing the dash. If you take it to a mechanic and they must go into the dash, to say, repair the A/C, be prepared for a bill for up to and maybe over $2000. (Have an uncle with a 560SEC and had to pay over $4,000 for A/C work.

 

BlackWolf,

Funny you mention "BMW of that era are more complicated". I own a 1987 M5. You comment makes me feel really good about the W126.

Thanks,
Guido

 

so guido,

i recently purchased a 500sel on the 126 chassis. i love the thing, but once you get it over say, 150k, watch out for intake problems. those CIS units on the old ones are a real pain in the ***. also, parts are getting up there on the older ones... i think they may be trying to run us off the road with upkeep costs.

one last thing, if you plan to do your own work, or just dont want to pay a fortune in parts and repairs, make sure its a model that was built for export. i can't stress this enough. mine is a grey market car (built to stay on the domestic market in germany) and a lot of the wiring and parts are different. its hard to find anyone with the proper wiring diagrams and the parts tend to be between ten and twentyfive percent more expensive due to import costs and scarcity.

all in all, that 300se is a great car, if you buy it you will be happy with it. 51k is nothing, i had a 1993 w124 chassis 300d with 420k and all i ever did to it was some tranny tuning

 

All,

Thanks for the advice. I agreed to a $6K price with my neighbor. We will complete the transaction next week, I am traveling on business this week.

It is a US specs car. It is the wife's car. He just bought her a new 300E. He told me he is not very happy with the initial quality. With only 1200 miles, it has been in the shop twice.

Thanks,
Guido