M119 visual check + garage queen buying advice

[benzfan101]

Hello,

I am looking to buy this car with m119, and would like to ask does it look ok visually at a quick glance, and what points should I especially consider when buying a garage queen that has been used only 5000km during the last 15 years?
Did I understand correct that since it's not CIS fuel injection engine, it had the biodegradable wiring harness as a 1992 car? In case the wiring is original, where one can find new or used harness outside ebay and in European union?

Also, what is the easiest way to see the condition of upper timing chain guide rails? those plastic pieces I heard are problematic.
What would be rough cost to replace those upper guides as preventive measure?

Anything else that would need replacing as preventive measure on a 160k miles engine to boost reliability?

All advice is much appreciated!

 

[sheward]

Welcome!

The only thing I see visually is a non-OEM inline fuse on the left shock mount. This may indicate a problem with the electric cooling fans or related components.
Yes, the upper wiring harness will need replacing if not already done. You should find a tag with a date code close to the connector next to the CAN box. This will tell you if the harness has been replaced. Use the search function here to learn more about the harnesses, both upper and lower, and sources. Same thing for upper guide replacement.
If there is no record of having the guides replaced, I would recommend doing them at that milage. All the vacuum hoses on top of the engine should be replaced as well.

The electronic throttle actuator (ETA) will likely need rebuilding if original. Best option for you would be Don Roden here in the US. Again, you will find info with a search.

Hard to speak about a car that has been used so little over the years. A big factor will be how it was maintained up to the point where the usage went down. The picture indicates an engine that was not enthusiastically maintained. There will likely be much deferred maintenance necessary to complete in order to have a reliable car. I recommend reading some owners threads as well as what to look for when buying a 500E. If the car is a 400E most everything also applies.

 

[maw1124]

The picture indicates an engine that was not enthusiastically maintained (OIL ON THE ENGINE COVER, YELLOWED OUT COOLANT EXPANSION TANK, TIRED FOAM INTAKE RUNNERS, THESE ARE ALL CLUES). There will likely be much deferred maintenance necessary to complete in order to have a reliable car. I recommend reading some owners threads as well as what to look for when buying a 500E. If the car is a 400E most everything also applies.

See ALL CAPS added to @sheward expert comments. You’d also want to check maintenance DURING the last 15 years, not just before it.

I bought a car that had gone about that same mileage over 12 years, but it had been in for service every year notwithstanding basically not being driven. That told me what I needed to know about the car and the owner. When he took it out of storage, if it didn’t feel perfect, he remedied it. He’s now a good friend so I know how demanding he is with cars.

maw

 

[benzfan101]

Welcome!

The only thing I see visually is a non-OEM inline fuse on the left shock mount. This may indicate a problem with the electric cooling fans or related components.
Yes, the upper wiring harness will need replacing if not already done. You should find a tag with a date code close to the connector next to the CAN box. This will tell you if the harness has been replaced. Use the search function here to learn more about the harnesses, both upper and lower, and sources. Same thing for upper guide replacement.
If there is no record of having the guides replaced, I would recommend doing them at that milage. All the vacuum hoses on top of the engine should be replaced as well.

The electronic throttle actuator (ETA) will likely need rebuilding if original. Best option for you would be Don Roden here in the US. Again, you will find info with a search.

Hard to speak about a car that has been used so little over the years. A big factor will be how it was maintained up to the point where the usage went down. The picture indicates an engine that was not enthusiastically maintained. There will likely be much deferred maintenance necessary to complete in order to have a reliable car. I recommend reading some owners threads as well as what to look for when buying a 500E. If the car is a 400E most everything also applies.

Thanks a lot for the info! I have been reading here a few hours about the common problems with these cars but there are so much to learn.
I will be taking the car to pre-purchase technical inspection, any suggestions of what should I ask especially about?

Also, could you please advice on these:

-what is the location of the inline fuse mentioned, so I can pinpoint that to the mechanic for inspection
-what is average cost of upper timing chain rail replacement? And also checking the timing chain stretch?
-is yellowed coolant tank of any concern?
-ETA rebuilding is probably not simple process and not sure how many mechanics can do it here in northern europe, what is the last mileage it should be done at?
-the CAN box is in the picture in the upper left, correct?

Thank you!

 

[gsxr]

Thanks a lot for the info! I have been reading here a few hours about the common problems with these cars but there are so much to learn.
I will be taking the car to pre-purchase technical inspection, any suggestions of what should I ask especially about?

This is a 1992 400E, correct?

-what is the location of the inline fuse mentioned, so I can pinpoint that to the mechanic for inspection

-what is average cost of upper timing chain rail replacement? And also checking the timing chain stretch?

Maybe 10-15 hours labor plus parts? The chain itself almost never needs replacement. Total time & cost depends on the mechanic's experience level. The job is DIY'able if you have the time and tools.

-is yellowed coolant tank of any concern?

If it's not leaking, no. But a new one is not expensive and cheap insurance.

-ETA rebuilding is probably not simple process and not sure how many mechanics can do it here in northern europe, what is the last mileage it should be done at?

It's not mileage related. If there are no fault codes and the cruise control works normally, you can delay this repair until there are problems. Since the 400E shown in the photo does not have optional ASR, this is less of a concern as failure won't cause "limp mode" which only affects models with ASR... you just lose idle control and cruise control. Best to send to RFC Electronics in USA for a repair, local mechanics won't be able to repair it properly.

-the CAN box is in the picture in the upper left, correct?

Yes.

 

[sheward]

Thanks for filling in the blanks, Dave. I thought I might give you and the others a break. If I was really an expert, I would have noticed the car wasn't an 036.

 

[gsxr]

Thanks for filling in the blanks, Dave. I thought I might give you and the others a break. If I was really an expert, I would have noticed the car wasn't an 036.

No worries, you did a great job, Drew! Thanks!

 

[maw1124]

Thanks for filling in the blanks, Dave. I thought I might give you and the others a break. If I was really an expert, I would have noticed the car wasn't an 036.

Me thinking: "OK @gsxr, how did you know it was a 400E and not a .036?"

maw

 

[a777fan]

Channelling eric o…

Enhance…

Enhance…

 

[sheward]

I noticed some time after I posted the lack of an ASR block. Expanding the picture and giving a bit more time would have been helpful too.

 

[gsxr]

Me thinking: "OK @gsxr, how did you know it was a 400E and not a .036?"

No SLS, no ASR, on a 124 with M119... could only be an 034.

Jon went all techie and zoomed in on the data plate which confirmed the chassis!! And, 122 Pearl Gray paint...