Clean W124 Wagon: 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300TE
My own personal taste in automobiles can be peculiar at times and I don’t often find cars that are unversally admired by the random people that come and go in my life. However, the W124 chassis Mercedes-Benz might just jump the gap between eclectic tastes of my friends and family…in particular the wagon version is almost universally appreciated, at least from a distance. I think perhaps it is because they had a design that was very advanced for the era and they are known to be rugged. Today’s example has plenty of miles, but it looks in remarkable shape. Find this 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300TE offered for $14,500 in Daly City, CA via craigslist.
From the seller:
1988 Mercedes Benz 300TE wagon
condition: excellent
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 177700
paint color: white
size: full-size
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: wagon
1988 Mercedes Benz 300TE W124 wagon in beautiful, clean condition” in & out”. Elderly owned & pampered since new, non-smoker/no pets and always garage kept. 177,770 well maintained miles with over $11,000 in maintenance records. Rebuilt transmission at 134k miles. Great running amazing vehicle. Original paint in excellent condition. Interior is also in amazing condition. Clean title, no accident. Registration sticker valid til Feb 2023. Will get smog done when sale is finalize.
Recent service done under my ownership:
New blower regulator ($400 parts alone)
New fan clutch ($228 parts alone)
New valve cover gasket camshaft seal
New spark plug and distributor housing cover
New synthetic oil and filter
New driver side window switch
New rear wiper blade
New antenna rubber
New power steering fluid
New brake fluid
New coolant
New distributor housing cover
New washer fluid
Previous owner had over $10,000 in mainterance receipts with major service done like rebuilt transmission. New control arm, steering shock, tie rod assembly, water pump, belt tensioner and damper, pulley, oxygen sensor, valve control relay, abs relay, brake master cylinder, abs relay, fuel pump relay, fuel pump, fuel filter, idle valve, idle speed actuator, breather hose, subframe camber mount, diff mount, bushing, motor mount.
Cons:
rear passenger side window not working.
Ac still blows cold but may need recharge sooner or later.
See a better way to drive a legend? tips@dailyturismo.com
Dang, amazingly clean.
“Ac still blows cold but may need recharge sooner or later” – I always wonder about statements like this.
Are they actually saying the fan works but there is no refrigeration happening?
Or is it the seller’s insecurities about AC coming through – like they feel that it must need to be recharged eventually?
The great Rob Siegel taught me (via his written words) the right mindset about air conditioning. That is: if it “needs a recharge,” then there’s a leak somewhere that must be fixed. If the system is tight, well maintained, and performing as expected, then there’s no reason to mess with recharging – or converting from R12 to R134a.
“New washer fluid”, no there’s a major selling feature.
What a money pit. Over 10k spent so far, and more to come.