Mercedes W124 320TE

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Discussion

crosseyedlion

Original Poster:

2,170 posts

197 months

Saturday 6th August 2016
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Hey, following on from my Indian E220 thread, I think I have a problem.

It happened again. Last night.

Outside a local Tai restaurant was a very sorry looking 1993 320TE, which looked like it'd been parked there for years. With a for sale sign in the window.

Although I really shouldn't add another vehicle to the fleet at the moment, I couldn't not buy it.

On 195k miles, I had a look and noticed no rust in the usual places, michelin tyres all round, an original (period?) pioneer cassette player, a new exhaust, a replaced loom and it ran perfectly. The owner had it for 19 years and she loved the thing. Its been resprayed fairly well and only needs one wing replacing. Theres also been a little prang on the front right.

No tax, no MOT and 2 half flat tyres

A deal was struck for under £1k and I got it back to my workshop this morning.

Immediate faults:
No Washers
No Central Locking
SRS (Airbag) light on permanently
No Blower Motor

With an MOT booked for 2 that gave me 3 hours to do my best and probably come back with a nice to-do list. But with these issues it would be a guaranteed fail.

No Washers: It turned out that power was getting to the pump but the pump was dead, the one for the headlamp washers worked fine, and was identical, so I used that one (Headlamp washers are a bit of a luxury right now)

No Central Locking: Upon checking the fuse box it turned out a few where in a bad way, refreshed some including the CL one, problem solved.

SRS Light on: First port of call was was under the seat, where I found a red plug unplugged, plugged it back in and the light stayed on. I didn't have anything to reset it. Disconnected the battery and drained the rest of the current in the system by turning the ignition and pressing the brake. Reconnected the battery and the light goes out when it should! It hasnt come back since!

I think I have to change the blower motor (more than a 10 minute job) so I set upon manically cleaning off years of dirt, moss and mold.

Sailed through its MOT! with only 3 advisories. Brake lines perished, brake lines rusty and some rust underneath, although i could only see some on the surface. Ill be addressing all these in good time.

It drives excellently, I've always wanted a 320 - in particular the estate!






Edited by crosseyedlion on Saturday 6th August 20:30

r129sl

9,518 posts

202 months

Saturday 6th August 2016
quotequote all
I need some of your luck.

That is a fantastic car for less than a grand and a couple of hours elbow grease. The spec looks good, too: you'll be telling us the air con works next. The blower motor is actually a pretty easy fix. I've done at least two. It's all Meccano under there. And you're probably better off without headlamp washers since they always end up going AWOL.

MJK 24

5,648 posts

235 months

Saturday 6th August 2016
quotequote all
Rotate all the fuses around several times or better still replace them all. I reckon that'll sort the blower motor.

I speak from experience or changing the blower motor on a 190 years ago to discover the new one didn't work. There was slight corrosion where the fuse met the holder!!

crosseyedlion

Original Poster:

2,170 posts

197 months

Saturday 6th August 2016
quotequote all
r129sl said:
I need some of your luck.

That is a fantastic car for less than a grand and a couple of hours elbow grease. The spec looks good, too: you'll be telling us the air con works next. The blower motor is actually a pretty easy fix. I've done at least two. It's all Meccano under there. And you're probably better off without headlamp washers since they always end up going AWOL.
Thanks, the girlfriend isn't so keen (im only 30, with no kids) - but the simplicity, quality and elegance of these cars I can't get over. There's nothing like these now, the new ones are a bit....TOWIE

stuckmojo

2,954 posts

187 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
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Really nice car. Well done.

TR4man

5,207 posts

173 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
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Seems like a bargain!

Looking forward to further updates.

crosseyedlion

Original Poster:

2,170 posts

197 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
quotequote all
Update: I broke it already!

Attacking the snake pass at 7am this morning it was performing superbly, then a few mid corner bumps and there's an aweful knocking sound now. I've managed to isolate it to a likely cracked anti roll bar or mount. If that's the case I'll seek out an eibach or similar if anyone makes them. Will look tomorrow.

on my way to Anglesey to watch some racing today.

Otherwise the car's being fantastic, jumped in and drove 200 miles last night without hesitation, arrived 2 1/2 hours later fresh as a daisy.

harrykul

2,770 posts

225 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
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Most likely the mount. Mines went last month, was about 20 quid from MB

crosseyedlion

Original Poster:

2,170 posts

197 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
quotequote all
harrykul said:
Most likely the mount. Mines went last month, was about 20 quid from MB
I've just had a better look and it is. Could have been a lot worse. I'll do both sides, the loads on the other side will be in the wrong plane driving like this.

Sounded aweful when it happened. Has settled into an occasional squeak and knock 100 miles later.

Thanks for the tip

ian316

4,150 posts

104 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
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total bargain

r129sl

9,518 posts

202 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
quotequote all
crosseyedlion said:
harrykul said:
Most likely the mount. Mines went last month, was about 20 quid from MB
I've just had a better look and it is. Could have been a lot worse. I'll do both sides, the loads on the other side will be in the wrong plane driving like this.

Sounded aweful when it happened. Has settled into an occasional squeak and knock 100 miles later.

Thanks for the tip
They all do that and it's a classic failure on a car that hasn't seen much use for a while. You've obviously figured out how to repair it. A large MB dealer will possibly have one in stock and you may be able to fit it on the road.

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
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Love the car, just seen one here in northern Spain today, UK registered. And why shouldn't it have made the 1000km+ journey down here? Bet it's just fantastic family transport. And yours for a non family guy too :-)

crosseyedlion

Original Poster:

2,170 posts

197 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
So a bit of a baptism of fire so far!

600 miles since collecting it from its MOT yesterday at 4pm. Aside from a broken ARB bracket (it now handles a bit boat-y) and lack of a heater blower, it proved to be the perfect tool for the job. Average MPG has been 24.6 (ish)- but that has included frequent hard acceleration, a fairly purposeful crossing of the snake pass in the early hours this morning, very uneconomical motorway pace and a general disregard for fuel consumption, I'm pretty happy. It must be around 30 driven sensibly.


Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
Wow, that was a great deal OP!

An MB from the era when they were built to a standard rather than a cost (unlike the sh*tty W202 C class I had)! laugh

Enjoy! thumbup

tobinen

9,178 posts

144 months

Monday 8th August 2016
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You've done very well OP. Good find

bmthnick1981

5,310 posts

215 months

Monday 8th August 2016
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Nice find!

crosseyedlion

Original Poster:

2,170 posts

197 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
Mini Update:

I've been thinking that the main thing that dates the driving experience is the hydraulic auto, and that it takes quite a bit off the 3.2. Only downshifting for acceleration when using the kickdown button and sport mode making very little difference. (With nothing to compare it to and having been spoilt by ZF 8 speeds for years, I thought that was normal for these old 4 speeds)

Checked out the throttle cable and it had loads of play! I wasn't getting full throttle before. It may not have ever been adjusted.

Adjusted it and its now much more responsive, better top end and downshifts on part throttle in sport. A significant improvement to the feel of the car.

Treated the engine, gearbox, PAS & SLS system to a couple of bottles of ZX1, I've been using it for years covering high miles with no issues and it does make a noticable difference, seeing the reduction in fuel flow on my old golf diesel at idle was enough to convince me. As far as I'm concerned the only debate is on the duration of the effect and very long term influence on certain cars components (apparently doesnt like copper or CATS...as mentioned I've had no trouble with either and to be honest I prefer the lower wear on other components). Shifts smoother and sharper, car's a little quieter, idle more stable and there is bound to be an MPG/power advantage.

So between both these things the driveline feels significantly younger than its almost 200k miles! Even more of a pleasure than before, very peppy and the gearbox is very agreeable (from acceptable).

Looking at small tweaks to get the mechanicals feeling as fresh as possible, even if it may not need them. Ill soon be doing at least 130 miles a day in the car.

-Steering damper - Is there an adjustable option?

-ARB bushes - as im doing the mounts anyway, these apparently make a big difference?

-Braided brake lines - Overkill on a W124?

-Discs and pads - 95% of my driving is on the motorway, Perhaps go for a more aggresive setup to aid in motorway stops?

Its already had dampers recently and a new sls system.

Edited by crosseyedlion on Monday 8th August 16:36

crosseyedlion

Original Poster:

2,170 posts

197 months

Friday 9th September 2016
quotequote all
34 days since picking it up at 195k, I crossed this milestone today.

Thats an average of 147 pacey miles a day, cripes.

All at a calculated, consistent 26mpg.


Parisien

622 posts

161 months

Friday 9th September 2016
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Brilliant, just bought a 200TE a few weeks ago, getting her spruced up for a 2000 mile round trip, good luck with yours!


P

CharlesdeGaulle

26,084 posts

179 months

Friday 9th September 2016
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Good thread. Great car. They are wonderful things, and well worth a little investment.

The only down-side is that you'll be addicted to the bloody things for ever.