RE: SOTW: Mercedes 300 CE-24
Discussion
This is one of the last real Mercs: built by engineers. They let the accountants have too much say after this.
How many cars could look this pristine after 200k? Great shed. Now how can I get £750 from the bank, nip down to Glos and park this in the garage without the Missus noticing? Ideas anyone?
How many cars could look this pristine after 200k? Great shed. Now how can I get £750 from the bank, nip down to Glos and park this in the garage without the Missus noticing? Ideas anyone?
CampDavid said:
Don't see why it's a problem, it's relevant and SOTW is basically a car advert anyway,
Go the whole hog, list the mileage, the history, how many owners etc and any unusual extras.
Not sure how many owners, will need to check.Go the whole hog, list the mileage, the history, how many owners etc and any unusual extras.
Climate control, Seat belt assist, leather,4sp auto,Pas, nice colour combo (some are "interesting")
187 Thousand miles, with a *almost* complete service history. I gave it a big service last year.
Drives well, pulls hard when needed and very smooth.
Uses no water or oil.
24-32 mpg
3 months tax
My daily drive, its only needed a new Alternator in the last year, as the last was starting to struggle a bit. I also had to change a few fuses. It also started running a bit rich and cutting out occasionaly before the MOT, but this should now be resolved, found the issue and replaced a resistor.
I will pick up the car tonight with 12 months MOT on it.
Used daily
Car is in good condition, with no dents and the odd mark.
Faults:
Passenger electric window will go down, but not up!! The motors seem to be working, I think it requires a strip down and re-assemble.
There is a small rust patch on the front wing, (other is fine). These are bolt on and off. There are a couple of small bubbling patches around the car, these have got no worse in the last year.
The rear brake disks could do with replacing as there is a slight lip on them, although this was not even a MOT advisory.
No stereo, but all wiring is in place with ISO connectors
Interior is in good condition for age, but there is wear on the seats.
Hmmm i'm sure there is more!! If I remember I will add it!
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Friday 28th January 14:52
Damn! Would love to have bought that to accompany my W124 E320 estate.
Re the engine wiring loom issue, yes a new loom from Mercedes is about £600, but it's not that difficult to rebuild the existing one (although it is time-consuming) - I've just done mine and, much to the surprise of everyone that knows me, the car started first time!
Re the engine wiring loom issue, yes a new loom from Mercedes is about £600, but it's not that difficult to rebuild the existing one (although it is time-consuming) - I've just done mine and, much to the surprise of everyone that knows me, the car started first time!
Riggers said:
icepop said:
What a lovely car, price must be right at that, and having the same owner since '98 and 28k, it's virtually 1 owner rather than 3.
One thing puzzles in the Shed write-up, does the car really weigh in at 1490Kg, that sounds light for such a big chunk of Merc, my Bora tdi comes in at 1380Kg.
It's what the internetweb suggests : http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/...One thing puzzles in the Shed write-up, does the car really weigh in at 1490Kg, that sounds light for such a big chunk of Merc, my Bora tdi comes in at 1380Kg.
@ Mr Carfolio: are you out there to verify?
CampDavid said:
What are the running costs on these actually like?
Part of me thinks it's a well built, simple car with easily available parts, the other helpfully points out that they were insane cash new and as such probably cost a lot to run.
Take a look in my profile if you want to see the running costs on mine - had it for about 9 months and only sold due to a change in various circumstances left me needing a car with four doors, a bit more practicality and 4wd.Part of me thinks it's a well built, simple car with easily available parts, the other helpfully points out that they were insane cash new and as such probably cost a lot to run.
Finding a good specialist to do the maintenance is key I think. As is buying one with no rust, a rear windscreen that is not delaminating (these are ££££ to replace) and all the electrics working. Looking for how often (if ever) the transmission fluid has been changed can be a good indicator of how well previous owners have maintained them.
They are without doubt extremely well built and have little design touches that you still don't get today (centre sun visor or seatbelt presenter arms for example), but some parts are becoming rare. Ultimately the engine and gearbox are really strong if regularly serviced and if you can keep up on the regular maintenance, you are likely to be ok.
5 pages in and still not a bad word! Ive never owned a Merc (but have driven a few), the first was a 260E of about 88 vintage, the parking brake did cause a problem whilst waiting in the middle of a french junction as my boss applied it then didnt know how to take it off!
Must start looking harder before prices rise.
Must start looking harder before prices rise.
FestivAli said:
This is a strange coincidence. This morning whilst crossing the street and identical example of this car and found myself thinking, 'that's really nice' and walking home this evening I passed a pristine cabriolet version (grey on grey with cream trim) and thought the same. And then I log onto Pistonheads and see one as shed of the week...
It's God telling to you to do it. Go on. Buy one.I once drove a lowly 200 from London to Birmingham and back in the early 90's. I was young at the time and was very sneery about the "Old man's car". 250 miles later I was converted - it was just sooooo relaxing.
Four or five years ago I another one on load when one of my C43's was in the garage having the wheels refurbed. Again I was thinking "God...it's a 200". I subsequently spent all week wafting round London thinking "this is perfect....!".
A sorted one is just such a great car.
Four or five years ago I another one on load when one of my C43's was in the garage having the wheels refurbed. Again I was thinking "God...it's a 200". I subsequently spent all week wafting round London thinking "this is perfect....!".
A sorted one is just such a great car.
Carfolio said:
Riggers said:
icepop said:
What a lovely car, price must be right at that, and having the same owner since '98 and 28k, it's virtually 1 owner rather than 3.
One thing puzzles in the Shed write-up, does the car really weigh in at 1490Kg, that sounds light for such a big chunk of Merc, my Bora tdi comes in at 1380Kg.
It's what the internetweb suggests : http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/...One thing puzzles in the Shed write-up, does the car really weigh in at 1490Kg, that sounds light for such a big chunk of Merc, my Bora tdi comes in at 1380Kg.
@ Mr Carfolio: are you out there to verify?
These are good cars, in fact my faveourite car so far and I have owned models that cost a lot more.
BUT!
They did cost 40 grand + new and as such you need to go into ownership with your eyes wide open, they are brilliantly made, but they still need a good amount of maintence. Having siad that you can run them well on "bodge jobs" I didnt, but many a former owner could of.
Also, these cars can polish up well and look great in adverts, but can be a lot differnet in person and on test drives.
I'm going to really really miss mine, it had a level of power, class and feel good factor second to no other car!
BUT!
They did cost 40 grand + new and as such you need to go into ownership with your eyes wide open, they are brilliantly made, but they still need a good amount of maintence. Having siad that you can run them well on "bodge jobs" I didnt, but many a former owner could of.
Also, these cars can polish up well and look great in adverts, but can be a lot differnet in person and on test drives.
I'm going to really really miss mine, it had a level of power, class and feel good factor second to no other car!
TwistingMyMelon said:
They did cost 40 grand + new and as such you need to go into ownership with your eyes wide open, they are brilliantly made, but they still need a good amount of maintence. Having siad that you can run them well on "bodge jobs" I didnt, but many a former owner could of.
Also, these cars can polish up well and look great in adverts, but can be a lot differnet in person and on test drives.
Very true - I saw 5 or 6 before I found the one I bought - all between £2000 and £3500. All of them looked great in the ads and pics, but I'd turn up and find the same old story - creeping rust, electrical gremlins (non-working seatbelt presenters is apparently a good sign to steer clear of a car), various oil leaks of varying degrees of seriousness and ALL had delaminating rear windscreens meaning the rear window heater was useless.Also, these cars can polish up well and look great in adverts, but can be a lot differnet in person and on test drives.
None of these things would stop it getting through an MOT or stop it being a daily driver and in the price bracket you can find these in now, many owners don't budget to keep them in the state they deserve to be in.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff