0a's Mercedes Benz 300 E Barge £1-5k Barge Thread Special
Discussion
I thought it was about time I started my own thread rather than clogging up the £1-5k barge thread with W124 content. For those that don’t read the thread, here is my H-plate Mercedes 300 E purchased for £1,350 with 147k on the clock.
Egged on by the barge thread regulars, I decided to fly from Scotland to Exeter airport to purchase the car unseen (I had the cash and had even arranged the insurance – not to be recommended), with a nice 500 mile trip home. I had never been in a 300 E before (or even driven such an old car before).
Fortunately, the seller was a great bloke and had been using it as his daily driver for a few months. It was reassuring to see the XJ outside his house, and the pictures of his Dubai based Z8 and Maserati on the wall. A nice chap!
The 500 miles passed in comfort and entirely without incident (though the car isn’t perfect) with the 300 E seeming able to devour tarmac in a strangely satisfying way – a little like a train running on tracks slightly apart from the road surface. Here she is the next day:
This weekend I took her on a long trip around the highlands, where she was surprisingly capable on the B roads with that amusing straight 6 gurgle around town turning into a helpful dose of power (though I suspect the sensation of speed comes from the noise, not the ‘power’ as the spec suggests the car is not exactly over-endowed!).
This morning I dropped her off at a local valet centre for a full interior shampoo and clean, as well as some paint correction treatment on the outside. She’s come back looking great for a 20 year old car, I’m really chuffed – apologies for the camera phone pictures. The interior looks brand new. I was pleased to be told that chap who drove her back to me commented how tight she was to drive.
Even if I say so myself she looks stonking for a now £1,500 car:
She’s by no means perfect, however, I will try and get around to seeing to the following:
1. Driver’s side rear door bottom half paint is a slightly different colour
2. Mirrors don’t adjust properly
3. Speedo needle “wobbles” up to about 20mph
4. Slight “dink” in boot (looks like it was opened into something) – paintless dent removal should help
5. Mercedes badge on boot needs replacing
6. Cruise control doesn’t work (solution on barge thread!)
7. Inside vents between driver and passenger blow cold even when warm
8. Wiper needs adjusting
9. Alloys not perfect (not bad though so will probably leave)
She drives brilliantly however, with lovely smooth gearchanges and quick kickdown when you need the power. Everything electric (aside from the above) works, and responds well to being, well, driven enthusiastically. I am very impressed with her – thanks to the bargain barge threadists for all their encouragement.
The best bit? The gesticulating man behind me yesterday in a Renault Scenic who failed to understand ‘merge’ doesn’t mean he owns the lane. One flick of the finger raised the rear blind, obliterating his existence. Very relaxing indeed.
Egged on by the barge thread regulars, I decided to fly from Scotland to Exeter airport to purchase the car unseen (I had the cash and had even arranged the insurance – not to be recommended), with a nice 500 mile trip home. I had never been in a 300 E before (or even driven such an old car before).
Fortunately, the seller was a great bloke and had been using it as his daily driver for a few months. It was reassuring to see the XJ outside his house, and the pictures of his Dubai based Z8 and Maserati on the wall. A nice chap!
The 500 miles passed in comfort and entirely without incident (though the car isn’t perfect) with the 300 E seeming able to devour tarmac in a strangely satisfying way – a little like a train running on tracks slightly apart from the road surface. Here she is the next day:
This weekend I took her on a long trip around the highlands, where she was surprisingly capable on the B roads with that amusing straight 6 gurgle around town turning into a helpful dose of power (though I suspect the sensation of speed comes from the noise, not the ‘power’ as the spec suggests the car is not exactly over-endowed!).
This morning I dropped her off at a local valet centre for a full interior shampoo and clean, as well as some paint correction treatment on the outside. She’s come back looking great for a 20 year old car, I’m really chuffed – apologies for the camera phone pictures. The interior looks brand new. I was pleased to be told that chap who drove her back to me commented how tight she was to drive.
Even if I say so myself she looks stonking for a now £1,500 car:
She’s by no means perfect, however, I will try and get around to seeing to the following:
1. Driver’s side rear door bottom half paint is a slightly different colour
2. Mirrors don’t adjust properly
3. Speedo needle “wobbles” up to about 20mph
4. Slight “dink” in boot (looks like it was opened into something) – paintless dent removal should help
5. Mercedes badge on boot needs replacing
6. Cruise control doesn’t work (solution on barge thread!)
7. Inside vents between driver and passenger blow cold even when warm
8. Wiper needs adjusting
9. Alloys not perfect (not bad though so will probably leave)
She drives brilliantly however, with lovely smooth gearchanges and quick kickdown when you need the power. Everything electric (aside from the above) works, and responds well to being, well, driven enthusiastically. I am very impressed with her – thanks to the bargain barge threadists for all their encouragement.
The best bit? The gesticulating man behind me yesterday in a Renault Scenic who failed to understand ‘merge’ doesn’t mean he owns the lane. One flick of the finger raised the rear blind, obliterating his existence. Very relaxing indeed.
0a said:
The best bit? The gesticulating man behind me yesterday in a Renault Scenic who failed to understand ‘merge’ doesn’t mean he owns the lane. One flick of the finger raised the rear blind, obliterating his existence. Very relaxing indeed.
Oh that is just brilliant. Absolutely love Mercs from this period. Two mates have 190Es and both of them have the speedo needle flicker too.tinkertaylor said:
0a said:
The best bit? The gesticulating man behind me yesterday in a Renault Scenic who failed to understand ‘merge’ doesn’t mean he owns the lane. One flick of the finger raised the rear blind, obliterating his existence. Very relaxing indeed.
brilliant!
.......I wish I had the electric blind
Rear Mercedes badge ordered from local merc dealer for £27.50, the lady on reception loved the old Es and will show me how to fit to ensure no damage is done to the paintwork.
I took a look around the showroom - Mercedes now have a rather good looking range, much better than I thought. There was a lovely CL 63 AMG that will make a good future bargain barge...
I took a look around the showroom - Mercedes now have a rather good looking range, much better than I thought. There was a lovely CL 63 AMG that will make a good future bargain barge...
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