Wheel alignment went out.
Becker radio only worked on LHS.
Top neck snapped on radiator.
LHS front door lock wire came off mounting.
This has been the best car I've owned, end of story. This car was $150,000 new in 1990 and now still feels like a $150,000 car. It was the top of the line 300e with the 24 valve head putting out 230hp with all the options. Sunroof, colour coded bumpers, wood trim, leather and the list goes on.
I bought it from an accountant's wife who had only clocked up 92,000km, so the car was basically like a four year old Benz. Leather and carpets were as new, no seat sag, no dash cracks... nothing falling off.
It really is amazing vehicle, the last of the "over engineered" Benzes. And the over-engineering shows. The panel fit is still perfect, paint is like new and nothing rattles on the inside. Electrics still work, no problem. Even the rubber looks like new.
The 3.0 litre 24 valve motor pulls hard to the 7,000rpm limit, peak power really being discernible after about 4000rpm. The only problem I've had (which I was expecting) was when the radiator top neck which snapped off.
The suspension is smooth as a magic carpet ride (even at high speed after all these cars were designed for autobahns) and the handling and steering taut all these 17 years later. A friend with a three year old top of the line Holden says it feels better than his car.
Having said that there are things which date the car. Yes, it has ABS, but no it doesn't have airbags. It's lacking a CD player however thanks to wireless MP3 players, I just route this through the FM radio. I had to get the Becker repaired and it still sounds gorgeous.
The four speed starts in second gear and can be a little clunky if one accelerates hard. However the second gear start-off can be over-ridden by fitting an S class module for more spirited starts off the line.
Every day, I really look forward to driving this car. Do yourself a favour, forget the diesels and 260s or (god forbid) the 230's and seek one of these out which has been serviced regularly.
I'll probably own this car for life. It's that good.
I bought the '91 version of this car in 2005. It had run 282000km and evn though it was 14 years old, it worked and felt like a brand new car. I had to sell it just over 4 months ago as I was leaving the country I had it in and at 313000km it still felt new. I've also yet to see a car with a tougher body.
I've had mine for 4 months and I keep waiting for the catch!
Petrol costs are less than my old BMW. I get about 12.5 - 15 litres per 100ks depending on city / freeway driving - and if I have the AC on.
A recent round trip to Newcastle saw me get 450ks from 50 litres with the AC on 50% of the time.
It is a very comfortable drive and I have the 3 litres of engine to dig my foot into if some drongo in a Hyundai wants to try it on. My friend has a WRX with bolt ons to boot and only gets 17 litres per 100ks.
I want a two door next.
KIM.
Hehe, Kim.
I acted on your dream. A few months ago I ran across a gorgeous, almost-mint white AMG 1992 300 CE-24 Coupe, Arctic White, with only 150,000 kilometres (94,000 miles). My neighbour is a mechanic who bought it wholesale. I saw it and bought it from him 15 minutes later.
It runs perfectly! The interior still almost smells like new, the car has been seriously well-looked-after. I intend to continue looking after it in a serious fashion.
I did have to replace the engine control module (a new one, not used) 3 months after acquiring it, which cost 1600$ (800 pounds), but other than that, perfection.
Superb car.. smooth, quiet, luxurious, not bad on gas.. makes you smile driving it, and in white with no blemishes a real looker!
I consider myself very lucky to have found it by chance, and expect it will last me another 20 years.
Update: 2 Years later.
I still own this car having done 200,000+ kms. It still feels like new.
The muffler has had to replaced as well as the front disc brake rotors, serpentine belt and battery, which is to be expected in 100,000km of driving.
Not much has gone wrong, the cruise control hasn't been operating for awhile, it cuts out now and again and I've read this can be attributed to poor solders on the unit. The veneer on the centre console around the gear lever has also cracked, another common issue in the Australian sun. And the little centre wheel caps are beginning to look tired.
But there again the paint is as fresh as it left the factory, and the gorgeous Nappa steering wheel is still soft and supple. Acceleration, power, handling and ride comfort are still up to par.
I took it for a 800 km round trip last weekend, and thoroughly enjoyed the drive. I actually felt refreshed after one 300km section!
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