I am looking for some opinions regarding my 1988 300E. With 260,000 miles on it, my mechanic (a good, but "all makes/models" guy) says the engine is leaking or burning oil, it has hydrocarbons in the coolant (overheating is only prevented by the aux fan kicking in or driving over 40 mph) and also it has a bad vibration problem when stopped (I am assuming motor mounts.) Oil consumption is now I think over a quart a week.
Trans replaced last year, body/interior in good shape, central locking not working -- I think I can fix given a free weekend. A few other problems mostly cosmetic. Aside from babying the engine (a big aside, yes), the car runs nicely. I avoid stop/go traffic when I can and keep putting oil in it. I assume at some point sooner rather than later I'll be calling a tow truck.
My main question is -- should I put any more money/time into this car? I have gotten great pleasure out of owning it and am truly in awe of the engineering -- 18 years of my abuse and it's still running. I've also gotten somewhat familiar with the innards of the W124, and think maybe I'd be better off buying a later W124 lower down on the mileage curve than putting more money into this one. Buying much newer is out of the question with the kids and mortgage.
I'd be interested also in what I could expect in cost for an engine overhaul. And lastly, can anyone recommend a good MB mechanic in Philadelphia, PA, Bucks County PA, or Trenton NJ area (US)?
Thanks in advance.
Lee Leitner