Looking at a 1986 Mercedes tomorrow...

[WHSLacrossekid]

Going to look at a 1986 300E Mercedes tomorrow. It's $1950 but I'm hoping to get them down to $1550-1600. 122K, Fully Loaded. Any comments?

 

[FrustratedUser]

Those are built like tanks. Good quality materials in the interior makes them look fresh a very long time.

 

[BeauJangles]

The engines will last forever too. As long as it has been maintained a mercedes from that era will run for 250k miles easily.

edit: I miss my dad's old 300D turbodiesel.

 

[aplefka]

Our trannie died in out 87 Mercedes. I can't remember the exact model. Then again, my dad has a knack for killing cars, and he drove it mainly, so that explains it.

 

[WHSLacrossekid]

Alright cool, Thanks guys

 

[FrustratedUser]

Does it look like this?

I like that model.

 

[WHSLacrossekid]

yea, that's the one. i like the look a lot.

 

[Malak]

That model doesn't look so bad. We had an 85 benz back in the day, but it was a much smaller model, smaller than the econobox I drive today. I wasn't completely impressed with mercedes myself, my mazda 929 was a lot nicer than any mercedes I've been in.

 

[drnickriviera]

Main thing I hate about that era is that everything is run by vacuum. Vac pods for the climate control can leak meaning the air diverters will not work. You have to rip apart the entire dash to get to them.

Hard to work on due to a lack of any decent manuals. Factory manuals are the worst i've ever seen.

When doing the test drive, go over some small bumps. See if you hear any clunking in the suspension. The control arm bushings may need to be replaced. If they haven't replaced them, struts are about due for replacement. At least the fronts are.

 

[Goosemaster]

Wow...I need to look into gettign a Benz...

Current Car

 

[nakedfrog]

I would guess repair bills (if anything does go wrong) would be painful.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I would guess repair bills (if anything does go wrong) would be painful.

Aye. Otherwise I'd get this in a heartbeat

 

[drnickriviera]

Oh and to test the vacuum pods for the climate control. Turn the A/C on, make sure it is set for top and bottom vents (button has two white arrows up and down) Make sure air is coming out of the center vents. If not prepare to spend a full weekend and $300+ to tear apart the dash to replace them.

 

[Papagayo]

Parts are expensive..

My friend has 1991 version.. sucker keeps breaking apart..
But he's aggresive driver..

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

your getting one the greatest Mercedes Benz ever built. Have fun with it.


/wishes for a 560SEL to appear in his driveway.