so, hi folks.. just picked my first Mercedes, a 90 300e and am looking to do my own shade tree runthrough before I pass it off to my local indy shop for review.

My last DIY car was a 55 chev suburban with a 235ci L6 and a whopping 1-barrel Rochester Q-Jet. Needless to say, after looking through the 300's engine compartment, I think I may be counting on my local shop for a while until I can get my shop manual delivered. some difference.

car was a great deal on purchase ($1900 w/ 100K), and i've budgeted about the same amount for refurb.. (somewhat pessimistically, I hope). The tranny seems to be a little clunky, there's a clicking which is less present with warm-up (hopefully valves), and overall, it doesn't seem to have the smooth response I'd like it to have. Front suspension is showing a pronounced lowering and needs at least struts.

so, here's my thoughts.. the basics: plugs, hoses, etc. but knowing each car seems to have its own distinct "aging personality," I would appreciate any thoughts/experience on what the "quick hits" are for refurbs- I'd like to do as much as I can myself before I pass it off to an experienced MB tech for some fine-tuning at $65/hr.

thanks in advance, Jeremy E

Welcome aboard, you really have gone from apples to oranges here, and I don't know where you live, but $65 per hour for a Mercedes mechanic is damn reasonable if you consider the SF bay area Mercedes mechanics and dealers are around $150 per hour these days.

The 177hp inline 6 in your car is pretty unburstable, and you got a hella deal if if is rust and accident free for $1900. Don't know what records or books came with it to see what has been done, but probably it could use coolant, brake fluid flush, oil 20/50 Castrol works well, and a filter and maybe an air filter, sparks plugs should be looked at and plug wires (Beru are best) could be replaced, and look at the ATF to see if it needs to be changed.

You might need some shocks, Bilstein comforts would be good, and maybe a shock damper and MAYBE motor mounts are due too.

These are pretty good cars, actually one of the best modern Mercedes around, as long as the wiring harness is good and no leaks around the head gasket you are pretty good to go forever!

Good luck with the new car. they can really run and last you a long long time. So safe and comfortable too.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Thanks Jim..