So I have always loved these cars and have recently found one for sale. The car has about 140k miles. How is it working on a W202 M-B? (I do most of my own maintenance). What should I be wary of? Any likely repairs that will cost me more than $2k in the next 60k miles?
Big problems could include a failed engine wire harness and failed A/C evaporator. Head gaskets can leak oil at the right rear corner. Do some research. Also ask the seller if any of thee issues have been addressed.
Thanks for the advice. Are these cars as "owner serviceable" as say an E36 M3?
I have no experience with E36s. I own a '95 E320 Benz and it's definitely owner servicable if you have skills and tools.
I just swapped in a C36 motor into my 95 E320 wagon and am getting everything sorted out with it now. It is pretty close to being 100%.
Chas H pretty much nailed the important points on the car. It is pretty easy to check the wiring harness to see whether it is original or not. If it has been replaced it will have a tag on it with a date. Definitely take a peak into the coolant reservoir and look for oil floating in the oil.
The 95/96 C36 had the older style 4 speed trannys which are less troublesome than the 97 5 speed units.
ccrelan wrote: I just swapped in a C36 motor into my 95 E320 wagon and am getting everything sorted out with it now. It is pretty close to being 100%.
That's too cool. Where did you find a C36 motor?
In reply to ccrelan:
I've seen them swapped into W124s but never a W210 chassis. Sounds awesome
The harness is the big thing, beyond that its normal euro maintenance items.
chandlerGTi wrote: In reply to ccrelan: I've seen them swapped into W124s but never a W210 chassis. Sounds awesome The harness is the big thing, beyond that its normal euro maintenance items.
I have a w124 car. The headgasket on my car was completely shot. It had mixed oil in the coolant very badly and was leaking oil all over the place. I searched car-part.com and found a local 95 110,000 mile C36 that was rear ended. I picked up the engine for $1200. My Benz 124 guru and I installed the motor over the 4th weekend. I learned a ton about the car and how things work. We replaced a ton of other parts "while we were in there."
I just got a valve cover back from the powder coater and am installing it over the weekend with a new gasket set. The last issue I need to tackle has to do with the transmission. Mine was rebuilt little over a year ago so I know it is good. However, I need to get the bowden cable and/or vacuum control adjusted. I am getting flair in between shifts and it is generally not working as it should. I will put up a post with pics when everything is sorted out.
I can always count on the GRM message board. Thanks!
just googled some pics of this car, very nice, love mercedes
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