Buying a CE 300/320
Discussion
I fancy an old Mercedes and there are a number of these locally to me for sale. There is a 1993 CE 320 with 123k whcih appears to be in good nick (have not seen any yet) and another CE 320 that has similar mileage and had the ECU wiring loom replaced a few years back. I asume the CE 320 uses the straight 6 from the newer shape E class? There is also a CE 300 24 v, similar shape but the older engine. I have read that these are considered to be the last of the bombproof Mercs and just soldier on with proper care. I will be using it as a motorway barge so not concerned about cornering etc - just wondering if anybody has any stories, advice or otherwise and what you should pay. One of the 320s is up for 1390.
Thanks for the vote of cofindence, Pete!
Righty to the topic!
As my brother mentioned, I've owned a E320 Coupe for the almost 4 years now.
General things to look out for on he CE/E-Class Coupe:
ECU wiring harnesses can deteriorate ~£1,000
Head gaskets can leak - check around the block for any oil residue ~£1,000
When test driving the cars, make sure the gearbox shifts smoothly. If not, a clutch could have gone, requiring a gearbox rebuild ~£2,000
These vehicles are now starting to get on, so expect the usual W124 rust spots - ie. front wings bubbling.
I also recently discovered rust in my engine bay, which was rather costly to repair - so check by the washer bottle and ABS unit for rust.
For the interior, make sure all the electrics work, and the driver's seat is likely to be showing wear on the outside bolster.
The choices:
The 300 24v engine is rather thrashy, revving to over 7,000rpm. This was a Mercedes after-thought to compete with BMWs 24v unit. If you go for a 300CE, make sure it's the 12v. It's smoother and regarded to be more reliable.
However, from all the 6-cylinder variants, the 3.2 24v straight 6 of the E320/320CE is widely regarded to be the best. I would say this is the best option for cruising.
This engine was carried over into the next generation (W210) E-Class for that E320, unit the unit was replaced by a V6. The engine was also used in the S-Class and SL of that era.
In 1993/94 the E-Class was faclifted, with revised bumpers, bonnet and headlights. The star was also moved to the bonnet - the star on pre-facelift cars was mounted on the square chrome grill.
At this point, the "CE" notation was dropped, with the range becoming the "E".
No matter what engine you get, if it's been looked after correctly, then it should be bombproof! A Full Service History is a MUST. Find a good Merc Specialist to look after it - keeps the costs low!
Don't expect decent MPG figures. On a run I can push low-to-mid 20s.
As for pricing, it's very difficult. Classic Mercedes Sales Specialists, will often command a premium for low mileage, well specc'ed late registered cars.
Pre-facelift cars and generally less desirable, so will be cheaper. 320CEs should be more than 300CEs or 300CE-24s.
The one priced at £1,390 sounds very cheap. I'd want to check the condition, mileage, and service history (see if any major engine works have been carried out).
If buy a decent example, with a good service history, you will be rewarded for spending a little more.
My Coupe still puts a smile on my faces - and that's after 4 years and 50,000 miles!
Good luck with your search. If there's anything else you'd like to know, I'll do my best to give an answer!
Darren
Righty to the topic!
As my brother mentioned, I've owned a E320 Coupe for the almost 4 years now.
General things to look out for on he CE/E-Class Coupe:
ECU wiring harnesses can deteriorate ~£1,000
Head gaskets can leak - check around the block for any oil residue ~£1,000
When test driving the cars, make sure the gearbox shifts smoothly. If not, a clutch could have gone, requiring a gearbox rebuild ~£2,000
These vehicles are now starting to get on, so expect the usual W124 rust spots - ie. front wings bubbling.
I also recently discovered rust in my engine bay, which was rather costly to repair - so check by the washer bottle and ABS unit for rust.
For the interior, make sure all the electrics work, and the driver's seat is likely to be showing wear on the outside bolster.
The choices:
The 300 24v engine is rather thrashy, revving to over 7,000rpm. This was a Mercedes after-thought to compete with BMWs 24v unit. If you go for a 300CE, make sure it's the 12v. It's smoother and regarded to be more reliable.
However, from all the 6-cylinder variants, the 3.2 24v straight 6 of the E320/320CE is widely regarded to be the best. I would say this is the best option for cruising.
This engine was carried over into the next generation (W210) E-Class for that E320, unit the unit was replaced by a V6. The engine was also used in the S-Class and SL of that era.
In 1993/94 the E-Class was faclifted, with revised bumpers, bonnet and headlights. The star was also moved to the bonnet - the star on pre-facelift cars was mounted on the square chrome grill.
At this point, the "CE" notation was dropped, with the range becoming the "E".
No matter what engine you get, if it's been looked after correctly, then it should be bombproof! A Full Service History is a MUST. Find a good Merc Specialist to look after it - keeps the costs low!
Don't expect decent MPG figures. On a run I can push low-to-mid 20s.
As for pricing, it's very difficult. Classic Mercedes Sales Specialists, will often command a premium for low mileage, well specc'ed late registered cars.
Pre-facelift cars and generally less desirable, so will be cheaper. 320CEs should be more than 300CEs or 300CE-24s.
The one priced at £1,390 sounds very cheap. I'd want to check the condition, mileage, and service history (see if any major engine works have been carried out).
If buy a decent example, with a good service history, you will be rewarded for spending a little more.
My Coupe still puts a smile on my faces - and that's after 4 years and 50,000 miles!
Good luck with your search. If there's anything else you'd like to know, I'll do my best to give an answer!
Darren
FWIW I have a ce230 1991 K reg, had for 3 years and 1 previous owner (plus demo) who did 53,000 miles in it. I have done another 35,000 in it and it has proved bullet proof so far, just gone through MoT no problem. Just before I collected it the cylinder head gasket went and was repaired which I understand is a common problem on these engines. Other than that it seems mechanically sound and I cannot see any evidence of rust at all, which is good for a 17 year old car, patricularly if you compare to a similar aged BMW.
Price wise, they have fallen like everyting else (I paid c£4,5k for mine 3 years ago) but there are a lot of sheds out there and they are an old'ish car now so it is important to go in with your eyes open. I was attracted to mine by low mileage and 1 owner plus demo history, and paid top end of the price range it has to be said. No regrets so far though!
Price wise, they have fallen like everyting else (I paid c£4,5k for mine 3 years ago) but there are a lot of sheds out there and they are an old'ish car now so it is important to go in with your eyes open. I was attracted to mine by low mileage and 1 owner plus demo history, and paid top end of the price range it has to be said. No regrets so far though!
junglie said:
A good buy for 3000?
That is an astonishingly low price - I'd be very warey, TBH.It may have severe rust, or be worn and tired.
Prefacelift and mileage do count against it, but I'm not sure it would be a good example at that price.
I hope my fears are unfounded, but it's certainly worth going to see if it's reasonably local
Darren
If that were nearer me!!
Two of us were contemplating a 280-mile round trip this morning, seriously
I really do think that looks genuine and in decent nick, but as always the pics could hide all sorts.
2 owners, posh-looking house it's parked at, and note it's in the '320' section of the trader, not 'CE', and not 'E'.
Reading between the lines, the seller doesn't have a clue what it's worth - have a look thru the '320' section and you'll see a mishmash of cars, none of which belong there.
Report back if you do look at it!
Two of us were contemplating a 280-mile round trip this morning, seriously
I really do think that looks genuine and in decent nick, but as always the pics could hide all sorts.
2 owners, posh-looking house it's parked at, and note it's in the '320' section of the trader, not 'CE', and not 'E'.
Reading between the lines, the seller doesn't have a clue what it's worth - have a look thru the '320' section and you'll see a mishmash of cars, none of which belong there.
Report back if you do look at it!
Edited by andy43 on Thursday 29th January 20:16
It is very tempting - recession, cold weather etc all swing towards the buyer!
I have always wanted a MB and another convertible - this may tick all the boxes. Although Mrs T is suggesting we buy a 'proper car' such as an A4 avant, I have a spot for older cars where you get far more bang for the buck and the 3 pointed star has to be worth the effort. Will not be able to go over anytime soon but I will email the chap and get his views and report back.
When I go over, if he still has it, I will shout and ask the questions you may want me to check - at least if I do not get it, it saves you a wasted journey if it is not what you want.
Dan
I have always wanted a MB and another convertible - this may tick all the boxes. Although Mrs T is suggesting we buy a 'proper car' such as an A4 avant, I have a spot for older cars where you get far more bang for the buck and the 3 pointed star has to be worth the effort. Will not be able to go over anytime soon but I will email the chap and get his views and report back.
When I go over, if he still has it, I will shout and ask the questions you may want me to check - at least if I do not get it, it saves you a wasted journey if it is not what you want.
Dan
I think we all know that that car at that price is going to be a moody motor! I know we all dream of the owner who does not know the value of their car but they rarely appear in real life i am afraid - after all, if they are switched on enough to advertise on aututrader then they are switched on enough to do a quick search and realise they are asking c£5k too little if it is a genuine motor.
My money is on a Western Union funds transfer as my brother is not in the UK at the moment etc etc
My money is on a Western Union funds transfer as my brother is not in the UK at the moment etc etc
I recently had a run in a 500e which i loved but the Mrs really isn't having any of it re LHD.
I am now seriously thinking about selling my W208 CLK for a W124 320.
Am i right in saying that the sportline's have the same seats as the 500e?
As with OP some of the price ranges are huge, esp with the specialist dealers, ironside etc.
I am now seriously thinking about selling my W208 CLK for a W124 320.
Am i right in saying that the sportline's have the same seats as the 500e?
As with OP some of the price ranges are huge, esp with the specialist dealers, ironside etc.
buccal said:
Am i right in saying that the sportline's have the same seats as the 500e?
Yes, on the saloon. However, you would specify how much of the "Sportline" package you wanted. So suspension and wheels, and then interior additions were all seperate options.On the coupe and cabriolet, however, there was no Sportline seating option
BTW, your name looks familiar from another Mercedes forum....
Darren (aka. mercboiuk)
I don't know about anyone else but I'm desperate to hear what this vehicle was like in the flesh - at £3k it is/was at least a third of the price of a decent example! I don't believe an owner of a c124 is unaware of it's value to this extent.
Crikey - at £3k I'd buy another for spares!!
Please spill the beans if you saw it
Crikey - at £3k I'd buy another for spares!!
Please spill the beans if you saw it
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