OK, I am seriously contemplating a cabriolet. Locally, one turns up and the seller asks for $3600, firm (I doubt it).
Here is the craigslist listing,
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/cary-1995-mercedes-benz-e320-cabriolet/6842976181.html
VIN =
WDBEA66E7SC264938
The seller is only 5 miles away and I went over this afternoon to check it out. Here is what I found:
1. Mechanically, the car is in good shape.
2. Some dings and some paint blemish at the trunk cover.
3. The driver side strut mount vibration damper, see image, is badly cracked. It is so fragile and I can lift it easily.
4. The engien runs smoothly with quiet idling, not much idling shudder even at D.
5. Transmission fluid is brown. The seller only drove 12K in the last 14 years. The fluid was last replaced in 2008. When shifting from R to D, there is big clunk. A fluid change may improve it but it could be something terrible to come. It drives fine and shifts fine. I only went up to 60 on country road because the car has no liscence plate.
6. The front suspension needs replacement. The rear is marginal. Both should be replaced.
7. The differential mounts are shot.
8. Lower control arm bushings in good shape.
9. The front rotors and pads need replacement.
10. Harness has been replaced.
11. Head gasket was replaced.
12. Throttle control body dated 1995 and should be replaced.
13. Power antenna works but needs the rubber seal thing.
14. No rust. The exhaust system looks fine.
15. Engine mounts were replaced. Don't know about the transmission mount but idling is smooth.
16. It is a bit sluggish. Probably will improve with a new O2 sensor and a fresh transmission fluid.
17. All cooling hoses look fine.
18. Wrong battery, needs replacement
19. Tires are 10 years old although the treads are deep. Need replacement.
20. Bumpers, both front and back, have impact cracks.
I can handle all of the above except if there is serious issue with transmission. Please advise.
Now, the bad parts which concerns me:
1. Both front seats are in bad shape and the leather cracks badly.
2. The top in bad shape and needs replacement.
3. Most rubber seal around the top are not in good shape. The car was in garage but left outside in the last one or two months and has to endure several raining days. As a result, the seat belt is wet and under the carpets, it is wet as well.
4. The seat belt presenter does not work.
5. Three of the hydraulic rams for the top leak. The seller rebuilt a few of them but those tough to remove are not rebuilt yet. The top operates with new fluid but will leak out after a few operations.
6. Other interior parts are fine. Power windows work but need some lubrication.
At $3600 (possibly $3000 if all 15 peopel responded to the listing do not make offer), I wonder how much it would take to get the top to work properly and seal properly. I don't see how to source all the rubber seal. The driver side suspension mount scares me because that thing is $800 if you can find it.
Finally, I don't like the color but I never get to choose the color of any car I have owned. All used cars.
The seller is probably the third owner. I previous owner bought it in 2003 and sold it to him in 2004. It was 168,000 miles when he bought it and he only put 12k miles over 15 years.
Suggestions and comments, please. Thanks for the autocheck record. It confirms that the seller is the third owner. The car was leased in its first three years. So, he could be the fourth owner.
Jftu105
A bit pricey, though.
