Hello:
A friend of mine wants to sell me a 1987 300E Mercedes. The car looks in ok shape, it has 150K miles but but it has a cracked windshield, the ac does not work and the radio doesn't work either. The price is $2300. I need a car for my commute (100 miles everyday). Is it a good idea to buy it?
NO big deal here especially with no AC plus with 150k get ready to spend money on repairs especially with the type of mileage you will put on it. GL.
No, it's too run down based on your description and miles. These cars are costly to have repaired so don't buy one in poor condition for it's no bargain.
For a 'commute' of 100 miles, if that's all it is and the budget is in this range, I would buy a Ford Taurus. Go to cars.com and see '99's for $4500.
The question IS, HAS IT BEEN MAINTAINED? Has it have the recommended maintenance and repairs Mercedes recommends for all of its 150,000 plus miles. If so, you should have a pretty nice vehicle. If not, did he have the oil been changed at appropriate frequency? Have the belts and hoses been replaced? Has the radiator been cleaned or has the coolant been kept clean, etc.? Don't just trust what he says, look at the records and receipts $2,300 is a good price for a 87 300E if other than the problems you mentioned are in good shape. Its worth $100 to take it to a qualified Mercedes Mechanic and have them look it over and do a buyers pre-inspection. I'd much rather have a 87 300E "SOLID LIKE A TANK" for $2,300 and put some money into it, than drive a 99 Taurus ANY DAY, but that why I have a Mercedes and NOT a Taurus. Its all about what you want. Fact is, a Mercedes will almost always cost more to own, but it rewards you with things a Taurus can't in MHO.
I think that the answer is in the question since a lot of things are not OK. I agree with the other poster; buy something else newer. M-B are not magical. 150000 miles cars are 150000 miles cars. Most high mileage cars fleet owners in America buy American cars. I don't thing that I would buy a Taurus (bad reputation for reliability in those years), but if you are on a budget, buy a 100-120K 1996+ Camry or Accord before a 17 years-old 150K car.
HUH? American Companies buy American because they buy inexpensive cars. They buy these cars because they are three times cheaper to purchase than a Mercedes E-Class. Its not like you see companies buying "Fleet Cadillac Seville's" at $40,000 a pop. Plus many American companies have a "American vehicle" only fleet policy. Plus do you think all the Honda's and Toyota's at their respective Dealerships are ONLY in the shop for "scheduled maintenance"?
American Companies buy American because they buy inexpensive cars *THAT GET THE JOB DONE*.
May I remind you that NYC taxi cabs are retired after 300000 miles, most with original powertrain. A local department tried to use Volvo on longer terms than with their Crown Vic. It proved to be a failure because they were not built strong enough and cost a fortune to keep on road; they are back with the Crown Vic.
Of course not, but they are certainly much more trouble-free than Mercedes-Benz.
Find a 1987 300d Turbo. It gets over 34mpg and is built like a tank. It was only imported in 1987. I do not suggest the gas 300E. The A/C should be converted to R134 A refrigerant after finding the leak with injected fluorescein. The 300D T will give about 400k miles before engine work.
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