Looking at 1994 E320 TE tomorrow, pointers?

[Duh_Vinci]

Cheers all!

I have an appointment tomorrow morning to look at this thing:

1994 E320 fixer-upper - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

I have just for sale a Mercedes It was owned by 2 little old ladies They gave it to me Bad alt/battery This car can go right down to Hades This is a fixer upper. Its not in the greatest of aesthetic...

fredericksburg.craigslist.org

I have just for sale a Mercedes
It was owned by 2 little old ladies
They gave it to me
Bad alt/battery
This car can go right down to Hades

This is a fixer upper. Its not in the greatest of aesthetic shape nor is it the quickest and smoothest ride known to man. It does drive really well (when it does) and will be best in the hands of a German vehicle enthusiast. If you can tow it (or fix it on my driveway in a few hours) it's yours. Not a horrible car. I'm just ready to drive another Axis Power vehicle from the Far East. Price is firm (symbolic; the defeat of Germany in WWII, lol). Let me know if you're interested soon due to the attention from non-Craigslist interest and inquiries.

Electrical issue: possible alternator ground problem, battery drain, belt not turning alternator pulley? Will need some fuses to replace for interior seat adjustments. Rear driver's side window motor installed backwards (up is down and down is up, lol). This is surely a simple fix for a novice mechanic. I'm just out of time and no longer wish to produce the effort to repair.

I spoke with the owner, he already bought another car (Honda for comminuting).

The alternator/charging problem - would it be possible an issue due to the lower harness? I know the upper harness also falls into bio-degraded category (those are $200 range for a used updated Delphi), lower I can rebuild myself...

What type of fuses this car uses (so I can bring some spares)?

Any pointers are greatly appreciated, not familiar with W124 as most of you.

Regards,
D

P.S I always liked the wagons, but lately, what's for sale either garbage, or so over priced! If the body in as good of a shape is it looks in the pics, and if I could get it to run right for under $1000, I would be happy...

 

[gsxr]

Usual M104 stuff... head gasket, engine wire harness, ETA. The SLS system is similar to the R129 and 500E. Fuses are the torpedo type found in the 124/201 and, I think, early 129 as well? Lower harness could be an issue but I'm not familiar with the M104 lowers. Note this car is a stripper with zero options, not even memory driver seat, and MB Tex.

Could be a nice project if you don't mind investing the time and $$$. Even better if there's no rust.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Cheers Dave!

I do indeed have a box full of updated torpedo fuses, both our our 1995 R129 (M104 and M119 used them as you mentioned). For the head gasket, other than the "looksie" into the coolant tank, any other obvious signs of it going bad?

I'm only considering it if I can get to to run tomorrow, interior is not trash and has to have zero rust. I'm ok with the projects, but not ready to paint/prep/interior restore another car for the time being.

Regards,
D

 

[gerryvz]

118K? Right at the 125K point where these cars need new head gaskets. There is a HOW-TO on this job here.

Definitely upper and lower harnesses. ETA.

I‘d offer $800-900 as it is a non runner. If any rust: run.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

118K? Right at the 125K point where these cars need new head gaskets. There is a HOW-TO on this job here.

Definitely upper and lower harnesses. ETA.

I‘d offer $800-900 as it is a non runner. If any rust: run.

Gerry, the owner said it starts and will run, as long as the jumper cables connected to the jumping car battery, so it's a plus... Where is that lower harness plug located on M104? I've been looking on the web for the past hour, can't figure it out... looks like an x2 8mm secured 3 pin plug, but where?

And yes, a single spot of rust - not considering it... Also, really want to know what's hiding under the seat covers

 

[geraniumtr]

+1. Also don’t forget the a/c evaporator. It will eventually fail which is a dash out repair. Regarding the head gasket; it’s an external oil leak on the passenger side close to the rear of the engine.

Regards,

Peter Weissman

 

[MB V8]

I bot a cheapie '95 E320 wagon in 2017 for $400 just like the one you're going to be looking at. 1st owner bot it brand new when he retired and drove it till he died 22 years later. I think there was around 140k on the clock. Now around 150k+

Even though the PO took it to the dealer ab/ twice a year there was still quite a bit of deferred maintenance, but the M104 isn't too bad to work on. And there are enuf wagons around that you can find interior bits.

I kinda like these old W124's when they're really cheap and as a result have a couple of them. I figure if I find a particular car is too much of a project, I can get a few hundred out of it selling it to a parts yard and won't lose too much money.

I just think these old Benzes are a fun to work on. You learn to appreciate the simplicity of the W124 models.

 

[MB V8]

DM me and I'll share some pics and more info.

 

[kegmankipp]

I’ve had a couple of these and really loved them.

It’s best with light and small wheels like 16”. 17” feels like it’s walking in ski boots.

I believe Jono sells an updated head gasket that doesn’t leak. I wish those were around many years ago.

I drove a couple dozen of these when shopping for them and they always seem to need accumulators. The rear suspension bounciness can be tamed with new ones.

 

[ccrelan]

Rust around the rear side glass which can be seen from inside the car by checking around the rubber seal

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Thanks all for the feedback and tips, not the car for me...

Interior is decent (kinda hard to destroy MB-Tex seats fof that era)
Looks good from 10 feet away

Does not run, died with the alternator failure (per owner, who is a nice guy)
Evidence of prior rear end collision with not so goo body work and paint that does not match so well and clearcoat started to peel.
Tail lenses full of hairline cracks
Few tiny rust spots on the body here and there, few deep scratches, and dents
Under the hood - oil/grime covers every crease of the engine, particularly cam magnet area, valve cover gasket line etc.
Strut mounts shot
Zero service records

Good car for someone to do M119 or turbo conversion, seem to have good overall bones or for parts, but certainly not at $1945...

Regards,
D