I hope to be looking for a 300E sometime in the near future. I keep going back and forth between the 80's and early 90's ones for various reasons.

The question is, what should I look for on the service records that SHOULD be done according to the mileage of the car?

In other words, what regular maintenance needs to be done on a 300E between the miles of say, 120,000 and 200,000?

Also, is there any way to check the condition of the evaporator? (beyond the obvious) How often do they fail?

Thanks for the help.

__________________
63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

The newer the model in a production run, the better the car!
The 1992 was the best W124 chassis with a M103 engine.
OF course oil(trans fluid) changes are the most important item to the drivetrain.
Have the car in question check over by TRUSTED MB tech!

W124 A/C systens are "better" than average by MB standards. IF the evaporator has made it 10-15 years it is a GOOD one & probably will last the life of the chassis.
MOST all A/C shops have "leak" detectors to check for refrigerant leaks OR add dye to the system to check for leaks!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

MB Maintenance Booklet has list of maintenance jobs.

This is for 1992 300D. For 300E, 5000 -> 7500, I guess.

0. routine checks.

1. lubricatioin service (every 5000 miles or x year)

2. 15000 mile maintenance (every 15000 miles or x years)

3. 30000 mile maintenance (every 30000 miles or x years)

4. every 2 years

5. every 3 years

6. emission maintenance



You can go here to get rough idea:
http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/MaintenanceServlet
The list of jobs here is different from MB Maintenance Booklet.
The price is also unreal (or should try more to find cheaper independent?).

Some dealer web site has Service Special.
The list for each job (30000 mile maintenance for example) is different dealer by dealer. Sometimes same dealer has different list (e.g. Herb chamber. Their Service Special can be reached either through herb chamber home or MB usa. Each has different list under same name, e.g. 30000 mile service.)


New MB models need A service and B service instead of 15000 service and 30000 service.

Really!? That's good to hear. Our '90 and '91 are still original. Maybe I can relax....

__________________
2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

The 15 and 30 K maintenance is mostly "check this, check that" and repair/replace as necessary in addition to fluid changes and filter changes (air filter typically every 30K, fuel filter 30-60K depending on model and year). Fluid changes are very important and typically have the following schedule on 80s/90s vintage Mercs.

Engine oil - every six months or 7500 miles
Transmission - every 30K miles
Coolant - every three years, regardless of miles.
Brake fluid - every two years, regardless of miles

Lack of reasonable fluid interval changes is likely to lead to premature problems on these systems.

The owners packet should have a maintenance booklet, and it has provision to document all the maintenance events including the time dependent fluid changes.

Duke

Wow,
Thanks for the excellent responses.

Any for sale 300E worth it's salt better have the owners manual and maintenance booklet with it that can be checked againts receipts or I'd walk.

__________________
63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6