1988 Mercedes 300SE

[BK911]

Picked this thing up CHEAP!
Almost 200k miles, ratty interior, but no rust, starts, idles, drives and stops pretty good.
Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet, may just try to flip it.
Is she worth restoring?

[speeder]

No.

[javadog]

I wouldn’t restore one, but you might see if you could pick up a decent parts car with a good interior for not much money. Those are pretty good cars, worth keeping around as a beater/second car/kidmobile, etc.

[BK911]

Ok, I shouldn't have said restore.
I won't put my family in it until the mechanicals are done, but I don't care about the aesthetics.
So just a mechanical refresh; brakes, steering and suspension.
Then seat covers and vroom vroom.
Good idea about a cheap parts car. Will see if anything local.

[Jandrews]

More pics of the Ridgeback!

JA

[edgemar]

Originally Posted by Jandrews

More pics of the Ridgeback!

JA

Ridgebacks are cool!

[LWJ]

Yes. More dog pics.

SEs are cool. Total economic disaster. But cool.

[BK911]

Here's wolvie!!
8yo and starting to show his age.

[Steve Carlton]

[Tobra]

If the AC blows cold, that would be a pretty nice beater to roll around in, do the refresh and stick your kid in it, like a tank

[speeder]

They are extremely well made, attractive cars that are safe and drive like a dream. They are also in good supply in good condition for very little money, so you would not want to be invested much in it or buy one that needs a lot of work. Normal maintenance costs can be substantial at 30 years of age on one of those.

The M103 engine is a little short on power in that body but it’s a great motor that is smooth as silk and will last forever w good care. Don’t even think about putting anything other than premium fuel in it and use only OEM parts and filters, down to the hose clamps. Parts don’t have to be from dealer but use Mann filters, Pagid or ATE brake pads, etc. No gas station or Autozone crap.

I’m surprised that it has a ratty interior, the outside looks well cared for.

[sc_rufctr]

Old school MB... What's not to love? They have a strong following for a reason.
(I drive a 1992 W140 400SE daily!)

But I don't know why people worship the diesels.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by BK911

I'm impressed.....yer dawg knows his "abc"s !

[Rickysa]

do the refresh and stick your kid in it, like a tank

That's what I did...1990 300SE. He loves it. Easy to work on, great support group at Benzworld for questions.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

But I don't know why people worship the diesels.

^cause they are awesome?

[speeder]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Old school MB... What's not to love? They have a strong following for a reason.
(I drive a 1992 W140 400SE daily!)

But I don't know why people worship the diesels.

Because they give you double or triple the forward movement for each gallon of expensive liquid?

Your 1992 w140 is definitely a tank, very safe and well made. But as far as cost of ownership wrt fuel and repairs, you could probably be driving a new one.

[sc_rufctr]

Denis... I've had my W140 well over 2 years and the car aside from regular maintenance has been trouble free.

The W140 gets a bad rap but IME they are a brilliant car.

[javadog]

I owned an early W140 500SEL for a long time, back when it was the current S-class model. Not the most unreliable car I ever owned, but certainly the most expensive car I ever owned when something broke...

I think the previous generation was a little better in that respect. Maybe.

I’m thinking about picking up an 04 to 06 W220 this winter, maybe.

[RWebb]

attractive??

not with those headlights

round!

[sc_rufctr]

I DIY mine. After what I read online about the W140 I was expecting lots of issues but touch wood so far so good.

I competed some needed repairs when I first bought the car. (Mostly leather interior bits and wood trim)

In two years and about 20,000 miles.
1. Oil & filters (Air, oil and fuel - Motor, gearbox and diff)
2. Front brake pads
3. Two rear tires
4. Spark Plugs
5. A few light bulbs around the car.
6. Brake fluid change.

Planning soon.
1. Ignition rotors and caps
2. Engine mounts
3. Head light switch. The original works but feels a bit vague.

What still works 100%
1. Central locking via an aftermarket remote I installed myself.
2. Door, trunk close assist. (But occasionally times out on the left rear door)
3. Climate control works well but sometime misbehaves. (Turning it off and on again fixes it)

Expensive? My W140 is the cheapest car I've owned. Back in the 90s I owned a R-R Corniche hardtop for about 6 years.
Very expensive to buy and own car but when I sold it I made a small gain on the purchase price.
(R-R = How does $1,400 sound for a second hand seat motor? And I need two of them... )