Hi all,
Just picked up a pristine 1993 S320 and I can't wait to get to work on it, not that there's really anything to do...
It was originally up for $12k, dropped to $10k, then I managed to get it down to $9.6k. There was hard bargaining and I was aiming for $9k but I wasn't missing out on this beauty for such a negligible amount.
It is literally like new apart from one minor scrape to the front left corner, the interior is flawless.
It has the M104 3.2 I6 mated to a 5G-Tronic 5sp auto.
It drives like nothing else I've driven, even new high end vehicles, and I was sold immediately. The double glazed windows are excellent at insulating the outside and the suspension feels excellent, the engine smooth as silk (if not slow, but great sounding) and the transmission feels slightly harsh into 3rd which may be the valve body problem. I will first off try some Lucas transmission conditioner as I've had excellent results with it in the past on high mileage transmissions.
The odometer is stuck at 105,000km and the old lady I bought it from estimates it couldn't possibly be more than 50-60k over that mark given when it went. It seems to be a common problem with the trip reset button pin sticking in and then grinding the gears off - thus grinding the oddo to a halt forever. So if anyone has experience with fixing this problem please speak up!
I hear the engine wiring loom is a problem on these with its biodegradable insulation, and the only one I can find for sale is a new one for around $1,200! Hopefully this one holds up for a while longer...
Other things I've read are the head gasket oil leaks (timing cover leak looks to have previously been fixed) and the transmissions can be fairly temperamental, but the valve bodies are easy enough to replace.
For oil I am thinking about Castrol GTX High Mileage 15w50 and LM MoS2 additive. I feel these two will work together to make for a very smooth running and hopefully leak free M104 that will hold up nicely during our hot summers.
Anyone with experience on these beasts and the drivetrain mentioned I would love to hear any tips and advice as I would like to keep this in top shape for as long as I'm alive (or someone drives into me again!)
Anyone know of any significantly high mileage examples and how they run to keep my faith?
Cheers all!
Just picked up a pristine 1993 S320 and I can't wait to get to work on it, not that there's really anything to do...
It was originally up for $12k, dropped to $10k, then I managed to get it down to $9.6k. There was hard bargaining and I was aiming for $9k but I wasn't missing out on this beauty for such a negligible amount.
It is literally like new apart from one minor scrape to the front left corner, the interior is flawless.
It has the M104 3.2 I6 mated to a 5G-Tronic 5sp auto.
It drives like nothing else I've driven, even new high end vehicles, and I was sold immediately. The double glazed windows are excellent at insulating the outside and the suspension feels excellent, the engine smooth as silk (if not slow, but great sounding) and the transmission feels slightly harsh into 3rd which may be the valve body problem. I will first off try some Lucas transmission conditioner as I've had excellent results with it in the past on high mileage transmissions.
The odometer is stuck at 105,000km and the old lady I bought it from estimates it couldn't possibly be more than 50-60k over that mark given when it went. It seems to be a common problem with the trip reset button pin sticking in and then grinding the gears off - thus grinding the oddo to a halt forever. So if anyone has experience with fixing this problem please speak up!
I hear the engine wiring loom is a problem on these with its biodegradable insulation, and the only one I can find for sale is a new one for around $1,200! Hopefully this one holds up for a while longer...
Other things I've read are the head gasket oil leaks (timing cover leak looks to have previously been fixed) and the transmissions can be fairly temperamental, but the valve bodies are easy enough to replace.
For oil I am thinking about Castrol GTX High Mileage 15w50 and LM MoS2 additive. I feel these two will work together to make for a very smooth running and hopefully leak free M104 that will hold up nicely during our hot summers.
Anyone with experience on these beasts and the drivetrain mentioned I would love to hear any tips and advice as I would like to keep this in top shape for as long as I'm alive (or someone drives into me again!)
Anyone know of any significantly high mileage examples and how they run to keep my faith?
Cheers all!