Mercedes 300CE AMG
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As long as any hidden rust isnt too bad, back of sills and wheelarches. Front wings disappear.
Engines are usually ok, look for oil leaks and blue smoke.
Dodgy electrics are usually just tired plugs and requiring a quick clean.
Drivers window can stop working and takes ages to repair
Sun roofs can leak and seize up through lack of use.
Stuck locks can be free with lots of WD40
Prices creeping up for nice ones
Engines are usually ok, look for oil leaks and blue smoke.
Dodgy electrics are usually just tired plugs and requiring a quick clean.
Drivers window can stop working and takes ages to repair
Sun roofs can leak and seize up through lack of use.
Stuck locks can be free with lots of WD40
Prices creeping up for nice ones
highlandsflyer
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Check the MOT history. There is a reason it is not being used, or being sold.
Next, get a better look at it. Underneath, and pretty thorough.
I had several of the 24 valve 3.0l engines, and they are thirsty but big hearted.
For my tastes, a very nice car. Not huge money to maintain nowadays. so many Merc specialists out there. If it is good when you buy it, chances are it will stay that way.
The real question is whether it is what you think it is, and whether they are willing to sell it for the money that would make it worthwhile.
Check the MOT history. There is a reason it is not being used, or being sold.
Next, get a better look at it. Underneath, and pretty thorough.
I had several of the 24 valve 3.0l engines, and they are thirsty but big hearted.
For my tastes, a very nice car. Not huge money to maintain nowadays. so many Merc specialists out there. If it is good when you buy it, chances are it will stay that way.
The real question is whether it is what you think it is, and whether they are willing to sell it for the money that would make it worthwhile.
I suspect it's the kind of car that falls into the 'buy the best example you can afford' category. Once neglected liable to be troublesome unless you have the inside line on bits and a workshop to match. I had a look at C43s a while back - a rare car to start off with and most examples were neglected.
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Theres not much to neglect as there no turbo or supercharger to worry about, just air filter, fuel filter, plugs, points and oil/ fluids. I doubt its a 'real' AMG version, just a 300CE with AMG bits stuck to it.
If it does turn over but not fire, a common issue is the ignition amplifier bolted behind the passenger headlight. ABS light is usually sensors. The ABS 'brain' rarely fails. The ecu is capable of comms via the battery terminals but again, its not a sophisticated injection system on these and as long as theres no cracks or holes in the gaskets, I'm sure the engine is fine. I think the engines were set for unleaded quite early on too.
Rust and damp will be the enemy - and these cars do need using every day, thats when things go wrong for any car if rarely driven.
If it does turn over but not fire, a common issue is the ignition amplifier bolted behind the passenger headlight. ABS light is usually sensors. The ABS 'brain' rarely fails. The ecu is capable of comms via the battery terminals but again, its not a sophisticated injection system on these and as long as theres no cracks or holes in the gaskets, I'm sure the engine is fine. I think the engines were set for unleaded quite early on too.
Rust and damp will be the enemy - and these cars do need using every day, thats when things go wrong for any car if rarely driven.
highlandsflyer
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Good points.
I certainly know what happens when you leave cars and bikes without using them.
Let us know how you get on if you enquire about it, quite fascinating!
I certainly know what happens when you leave cars and bikes without using them.
Let us know how you get on if you enquire about it, quite fascinating!
swannymere
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IF it has the AMG parts and they're in decent condition it might be worth a punt. The Bodykit - front and rear bumpers, sills and possibly boot spoiler could be worth a grand, interior £750+ and wheels could be £500+ depending on type. If it has an AMG engine then your laughing even if you break it.
highlandsflyer
Retro Wizard
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It is a strong engine, so pretty hard to break.
legrandefromage":30omsswg said:As long as any hidden rust isnt too bad, back of sills and wheelarches. Front wings disappear.
Engines are usually ok, look for oil leaks and blue smoke.
Dodgy electrics are usually just tired plugs and requiring a quick clean.
Drivers window can stop working and takes ages to repair
Sun roofs can leak and seize up through lack of use.
Stuck locks can be free with lots of WD40
Prices creeping up for nice ones
Ok there's been a few posts since this one I'm quoting, but I'm a long term Mercedes owner - a 300CE and a 500E , and like all properly expensive cars (my 300CE was just over £40k in 1989) that reach a certain age, at the bottom of their price curve (good coupes are on the up now), then fall into the wrong hands.
The 3.0 or 3.2 engines are the best, the 300-24 had a rushed to market, poorly designed 24 valve head and is prone to problems: plus the 5 speed auto (not found in the 300) is less durable than the 4 speed and more expensive to rebuild.
I'd be very surprised if you've found a proper AMG - super rare car. W124s are the last of the proper Mercedes (cliché but true), and the last of the little-to-go-wrong-if-cared-for analogue Mercedes.
Jon.
