1994 E320 Cabriolet

[ranchero]

Advice Please. I own a CLK320 & a 380SL. I have owned earlier straight six Mercedes cars, but I have never owned and I do not know the '80s & '90s 124 class cars at all (but they look great). I am going to inspect a 1994 E320 Cabriolet that is for sale; I may want to buy it. What should I look for on this car? I know to get MBSH, books & keys. What should I inspect on the car? I do remember discussion about the six on the contemporary 300SL/SL320 129 class cars. So, is there a problem with the wiring harness on this car's straight six? Is there any issue with the head gasket sealing on this engine? Also, what about the radio, radio reprogramming and electronics on this car. Thank you in advance to anyone who can provide some quick advice on this 1994 124 class car.

- ranchero -

[Robert Goodwin]

1994 E Class is a good chassis. Wiring harness should be of the self destructing variety. If it has not been replaced you are probably looking at up to $1K. A/C evaporator is also a self destruct item. Cost is $3,000 plus to replace. Check the A/C. Look for signs of dye at the fittings. That would indicate a search for a leak. If dye is present, run a finger or cotton swab up both of the A/C drains under the car. If dye is present it was leaking. If the evap is leaking, deduct $3,500. Since it is a convertible, hydraulics are hydraulics and will have their own unique set of problems no matter whose convertible you buy. That is, unless it is all manual operation. There is very little data and repair information available on the convertible mechanism. Reason is, Mercedes didn't make it. My wife drives a 1995 E300D with 184K. Other than a cruise control servo, some glow plugs and the engine wiring harness, the car is s dream. But, being a diesel it has fewer electronic and fuel related components to go bad. Other should be able to provide further insights, especially about gassers.

[Ferdman]

Ranchero, my parents drive a 1995 E320 that they purchased used with 22,000 miles and since they are elderly and drive very little the odometer now reads only 35,000 miles in 5 years. They have replaced the head gasket and driver's door lock under an extended Starmark Warranty. Other than those things their car has performed wonderfully. However, AFAIK the Cabriolet has a higher HP engine so the head gasket may not be suspect. The A/C in their car works superbly. Not sure if the evaporator failures are mileage/usage-related. Definitely get a PPI done by an experienced MB-trained tech.

[ranchero]

Thank you for the responses; they are helpful!

[Robert Goodwin]

I forgot to mention that the A/C evaporator was bad in ours when we bought it. The car was discounted $3,500 for that item alone. I installed my own, but I don't recommend it unless you are exceptionally handy with tools.