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Here we have a very very nice Mercedes 400SE in the always classic black and silver exterior over black leather. Vehicle has 108,000 miles.
Here is the skinny on this car:
We have maintained this vehicle since approximately 2005/6. The previous owner used the vehicle to make an annual trans continental drive (Oregon to Florida). On one of his trips to Oregon he turned the key and the engine went 'nrrgh' and that was it. We found that the timing chain guides had failed and lodged a piece of nylon up under a cam tooth, preventing the engine from turning over. The repair was quoted out at over $4k (engine/trans assembly must be removed from vehicle), which the customer declined. We purchased the vehicle and made the needed repairs in house, replacing all the timing chains, guides, tensioners, seals and etc.
We used the vehicle as a courtesy vehicle/extra car for a while until a walk in customer made us a trade deal on a 1991 300SL w/ 80k. He drove the car for the better part of 2 years. Last month, the vehicle came in with a check engine lamp and codes galore. We found that the upper engine wiring harness/injector wiring harness insulation had failed and was allowing the wires to make connection within the wiring harness. This, after some research, is a very common problem. A quick google search turned up one website with other 9,000 unique customer complaints as to wiring harness disintegration problems (Note: This is a problem on 1990-1996 MBZ automobiles. If you are planning to purchase a MBZ of this vintage it would behoove you to inspect the wiring harness to see if it has been replaced. If it hasn't, it will need to be). We quoted the customer a substantial repair price, which he refused as this was an extra vehicle for him as well and he and his wife were of advancing age. So once again we purchased this vehicle and installed the wiring harness as needed. The repair was smooth, check engine light is off and the vehicle performs perfectly. I have driven the car for the past week (I know.. poor me) and it has not failed or hiccuped once.
If you are not familiar with these fine vehicles, here is an overview:
Shortest wheelbase V8 sedan from MBZ
4.2 liter 270hp DOHC aluminum V8
4 Speed automatic transmission
Driver and Passenger 10 way power memory seats w/ lumbar settings
Dual Pane glass for sound/temp insulation as well as improved bullet resistance.
Full leather interior w/ nice burl wood accents
3 power mirrors (driver, passenger, rear view) w/ power fold in for those tight parking spots
All four windows are power w/ Auto UP and DOWN! (Try and find auto up on newer cars..)
4-way power steering wheel
HUGE sliding/tilting sunroof
Dual Zone automatic climate control
Rear lighted vanity mirrors
Bose speakers w/ cd and amplifier
"Corner finders" that elevate in the rear when in reverse to indicate position of 'edges' of rear
Speed sensitive steering
Four wheel disc brakes w/ ABS
16" MBZ Alloy wheels with excellent tires
Fog/driving lights
Cruise Control
Beautiful polished stainless steel bright-work
This car has always been adult owned, non-smoker, non-pet and immaculately maintained. Exterior paint has some rock chips and such but nothing major, and is incredibly deep and lustrous, 'swim-able', if you will. Interior is in excellent condition, no cracks or splits and the leather is still shiny and supple. The wood trim has no checking or cracks to speak of, and all is present. All the power and convenience features I tested worked flawlessly. A/C blows cold. Car is silent inside, powerful and a pleasure to pilot and be a passenger.
KBB is $5100, asking $4200, trade or part trade for firearms.
A list of repair records:
5-06 (66,299 mi): Window regulator, fuel filter
3-09 (80,629 mi) Full Tune Up
5-09 (84,181 mi) Replace wheel bearings. Replace brake calipers, brake rotors and pads.
5-10 (100,330 mi) Engine Service, Check engine light, code 6: Oxygen Sensor
6-10 (100,330 mi) Replace oxygen sensor
7-10 (100,3XX) Engine frozen, purchased by shop
10-10 (100,330) Replace timing chains, tensioners, guides.
6-11 Tie rod ends, idler arm
7-12 (108,058) Wiring Harness
To dark for pics tonight, will get them tomorrow; You will not be disappointed!
russ
Here is the skinny on this car:
We have maintained this vehicle since approximately 2005/6. The previous owner used the vehicle to make an annual trans continental drive (Oregon to Florida). On one of his trips to Oregon he turned the key and the engine went 'nrrgh' and that was it. We found that the timing chain guides had failed and lodged a piece of nylon up under a cam tooth, preventing the engine from turning over. The repair was quoted out at over $4k (engine/trans assembly must be removed from vehicle), which the customer declined. We purchased the vehicle and made the needed repairs in house, replacing all the timing chains, guides, tensioners, seals and etc.
We used the vehicle as a courtesy vehicle/extra car for a while until a walk in customer made us a trade deal on a 1991 300SL w/ 80k. He drove the car for the better part of 2 years. Last month, the vehicle came in with a check engine lamp and codes galore. We found that the upper engine wiring harness/injector wiring harness insulation had failed and was allowing the wires to make connection within the wiring harness. This, after some research, is a very common problem. A quick google search turned up one website with other 9,000 unique customer complaints as to wiring harness disintegration problems (Note: This is a problem on 1990-1996 MBZ automobiles. If you are planning to purchase a MBZ of this vintage it would behoove you to inspect the wiring harness to see if it has been replaced. If it hasn't, it will need to be). We quoted the customer a substantial repair price, which he refused as this was an extra vehicle for him as well and he and his wife were of advancing age. So once again we purchased this vehicle and installed the wiring harness as needed. The repair was smooth, check engine light is off and the vehicle performs perfectly. I have driven the car for the past week (I know.. poor me) and it has not failed or hiccuped once.
If you are not familiar with these fine vehicles, here is an overview:
Shortest wheelbase V8 sedan from MBZ
4.2 liter 270hp DOHC aluminum V8
4 Speed automatic transmission
Driver and Passenger 10 way power memory seats w/ lumbar settings
Dual Pane glass for sound/temp insulation as well as improved bullet resistance.
Full leather interior w/ nice burl wood accents
3 power mirrors (driver, passenger, rear view) w/ power fold in for those tight parking spots
All four windows are power w/ Auto UP and DOWN! (Try and find auto up on newer cars..)
4-way power steering wheel
HUGE sliding/tilting sunroof
Dual Zone automatic climate control
Rear lighted vanity mirrors
Bose speakers w/ cd and amplifier
"Corner finders" that elevate in the rear when in reverse to indicate position of 'edges' of rear
Speed sensitive steering
Four wheel disc brakes w/ ABS
16" MBZ Alloy wheels with excellent tires
Fog/driving lights
Cruise Control
Beautiful polished stainless steel bright-work
This car has always been adult owned, non-smoker, non-pet and immaculately maintained. Exterior paint has some rock chips and such but nothing major, and is incredibly deep and lustrous, 'swim-able', if you will. Interior is in excellent condition, no cracks or splits and the leather is still shiny and supple. The wood trim has no checking or cracks to speak of, and all is present. All the power and convenience features I tested worked flawlessly. A/C blows cold. Car is silent inside, powerful and a pleasure to pilot and be a passenger.
KBB is $5100, asking $4200, trade or part trade for firearms.
A list of repair records:
5-06 (66,299 mi): Window regulator, fuel filter
3-09 (80,629 mi) Full Tune Up
5-09 (84,181 mi) Replace wheel bearings. Replace brake calipers, brake rotors and pads.
5-10 (100,330 mi) Engine Service, Check engine light, code 6: Oxygen Sensor
6-10 (100,330 mi) Replace oxygen sensor
7-10 (100,3XX) Engine frozen, purchased by shop
10-10 (100,330) Replace timing chains, tensioners, guides.
6-11 Tie rod ends, idler arm
7-12 (108,058) Wiring Harness
To dark for pics tonight, will get them tomorrow; You will not be disappointed!
russ
