I have had my 1987 300E for about 3 years (at about 140,000 kms now). The problems I have had are: air con system does not work (heats, but does not cool) - bad news in Australia; cruise control packed it in. Also - I am now noticing that after I start the car and drive up the hill - it seems to over-rev or slip out of second gear? Very odd - any thoughts?
Otherwise - this car is a gem. It is cheap to run and is fast and solid. I am a big fan of the 300E. My Dad has 300SE (1989) and loves it. But interesting how the later equivalents (post 1994 or so) seem to have serious problems.
Just bought a 1987 300e with 183000 miles, car drives great and runs like a deer. (it is a one owner vehicle) Questions, uses a tad bit of oil, but never seen a leak, blower does not work for air or heater, (are they the same?) where can I get one cheap! Radio does not work, seat adjusters on driver side does not work, roof light in front does not work, switch for rear head rests does not work and I've seen enough to not expect the antenna to work. DON'T GET ME WRONG, I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE, I JUST NEED TO FIX THESE AREAS AS CHEAPLY AS POSSIBLE. Thanks very much, James at inttrd@cs.com.
I own and drive a very low Kilometer 1999 BMW 328i with the M3 Sport Kit and every option available at the time plus and additional $8000.00 in Audio/Video Equipment. I also had an old Tracker that I bought for my wife, but I sold it and had to find her another car fast so I got a great deal ($1700.00 below Blue Book Value) on a 1987 Merc 300E with a 1989 Merc 300E Engine, New Starter, New Battery, New Wheels & Michelin Tires and a Brand New Top-of-the-Line JVC CD/MP3/IPod Stereo. The car runs great, but there are a couple of issues I plan to fix. Lots of Heat, but no Air Conditioning, but I live in Vancouver, Canada, even so I will still try to fix that and the sunroof I am told does not work (I have not tried yet & someone tried to break in so I need to open the power locks using the trunk lock, but it unlocks all doors as my old 733I used to do, but locking all locks or opening them also works from the inside using the drivers door "I have not tired the other yet") Anyway, after my long ramble I just wanted to say this car runs great and is a pleasure to drive. My Bimmer has been parked in the garage most of the time since we got it because my wife does like to drive it to work & only uses it on the week-end unless she has to do duty-counsel or has trials out in the burbs around Vancouver. I like it so much I think I will buy here a newer model this summer & I may still keep this as a second car even though I am selling my BMW to order the new BMW 335CI Twin Turbo. This Merc is a great little vehicle and I agree it runs like all the other models from the era including the 560SL.
I have a 1989 300E and it is a great car. It is solid and is a steady smooth ride. However, I have 2 problems... the odometer has stopped working and the passenger seat is stuck in the furtherest back position. It will move in all other directions except forward so the control switch seems to be working fine.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have recently bought a 1990 300e, with 260,000 km and full MB service history, with two previous owners.Vehicle is in pearl grey. The car has been babied all its life,and presents near concourse, to drive it, feels as tight as it rolled of the factory floor, everything works perfectly, no rattles,smooth as silk, built like a panzer, wonderfully balanced handling and a feel for the road, you dont want to get there in this car, just drive.
I recently bought a 300E benz. I checked it out and there is no fuel go through the lines. I am having a problem trying to find the fuel pump relay. I would greatly appreciate anyones information on this problem that I have.
I would like to know why the fuel level gauge is not registering in my 300E Mercedez Benz.
Hi I'm Tony Reyes.. I just bought a 1986 E260 MB... the car is in perfect shape.. however of just one problem that keeps me bothering, the engine suddenly shots down while driving on both crossroad and straight driving, while I slows down.. please give me any advice since I lived quite far from the city.. this really bothers the hell out of me. but over all rates is excellent.. i loved this car!
Please do send in your advice on my email: tvr_xplus@yahoo.com
Thank you very much and have a great day.
I just purchased a 1987 300E. This car is definitely going to be a project car, due to some minor rust and electrical gremlins. I feel quite confident though, that it was well worth it.
I ran into the same problem with the fuel not being pushed through the lines. The car I bought had sat for 2 years without running, but when sprayed with starter fluid, started almost immediately, sounded beautiful, and promptly died. I found the fuel pump relay (behind the battery, in front of the over voltage protection relay) and tried to jump the pegs (30 and 87 should send the current to the fuel pumps) to no avail. I tested the fuel pumps independently on a small circuit. I've come to the conclusion that the problem lies in the wiring from the relay to the fuel pumps and am going to build a separate circuit and manual switch to run the fuel pumps. (Fuel cut off as an anti-theft, anyone?)
Other than the fuel issues, this car runs beautifully, and was a steal at $400. Wish me luck in my hopes to restore it to the excellent condition it once was in. Please let me know if you have any advice for a first time Mercedes owner...
Thanks!
sarah.elizabeth.jones@verizon.net
And since I must give credit where credit is due, my boyfriend, an excellent mechanic, has been working very hard to make this work for me. :)
I bought my '87 300E last year, its my first/favorite car. No major problems 'cept the alternator going out, once we fixed that its been near perfect, especially for a twenty year old car. Smashes open roads yet controllable enough for crowded parking lots, I put a magnaflow exhaust on it and am in the process of restoring what I can (only 18, and Mercedes isn't cheap).
Love it, love it, love it. pic at my myspace pictures, www.myspace.com/11180013, click the picture of me to view them.
I just started the buying process of a 87 300E. It's in pretty good shape and just needed a headlight door, so I opted to buy Euro headlights as replacements instead.
It's a great looking car; looking for a paint job in the next year or so. But other the that, and some minor other dirty spots on the floor and stress rips on the dash, I think it will be a beautiful car with less than $500, in addition to the $800 I am paying for it.
Have to agree with everything I have read here RE: MB 300e 124 /87, my only disappointment is the lies some mechanics can tell.
My transmission need a filter change, stuck in 2nd or 3rd, no fluid circulating, liar mechanic charged 2700 AUD to "rebuild", repaired elsewhere for 165 AUD.
Perfect ever since; got stung on an AC compressor here in Brisbane by an authorised MB repairer. Saw same compressor online for 600 less than charged for the part.
I STILL LOVE THIS CAR, even though I'm filling in time right now waiting for the damn thing to start after a run on the freeway!!!
I just purchased a 1986 Mercedes Benz 300E sedan with 5 speed manual (apparently a rare option), with 325,000 kms (200,000 miles) on it for just $1000Cdn. It`s only day one, but after driving it 150kms home yesterday (in Vancouver, Canada) I can see why owners love these cars! It`s definitely older in the suspension, but still goes like stink, and it handles really nice for any car, let alone a 23 year old one.
Things that are not working (so far as I can tell) the right rear power window, power antenna, passenger front seat heat seems stuck on, heater/air-con fan only comes on when you `jiggle` the ignition key, and the motor burns oil (so says the last owner). Everything else works great.
I`m so impressed that the fittings, joints and paint finish look brand new. The car runs smooth and quiet, no exhaust smoke, clean emissions, and wood trim and dash are perfect. What a way to build a car... and I paid more money in tax alone on my last car. We`ll see what the mechanic has to say.. but I can see why the 300E has such a loyal following.
I had a 1987 with similar history to yours. If you have an operable sunroof, be sure and lube all moving parts or it may freeze up. The rear window problem may be the motor, but one of mine was due to a broken wire near the hinges.
They are great cars. I'm still looking for an '85 turbodiesel with a decent body.
Good advice here indeed! I am looking at buying a 1988 Mercedes Benz 333E with 260.000 on it, it's in great nick all over inside, outside, no oil leaks or burns, runs like a charm.
Seems too good to be true? Any advice what I should look for, or do before purchase, apart from taking it for a drive and a visual inspection. Lovely car no doubt, but I am so leery reading about what big things can go wrong, at any time, I know any machine can break down at any time. How reliable are the 300Es.
Warmest regards.
Ray.