Should I buy a 88 260E?? HELP

HI

 I am thinking of buying a 1988 260E with 155,000 miles. How reliable are these cars? I do not want to make a mistake. Can I expect years of dependability out of the 260E or years of heartache??

Please Have the Car Inspected by a MB Shop..Run a car fax..Look over the records if they are with the car..Because at 150K The car will Need a Valve Job and a Transmission ..Both BIG Ticket Items! Also see if the A/C is R134 and NOT R12 ,Another Big Ticket item..If all checks out Buy The Car AFTER it has a Clean Bill of Inspection from a Good MB Shop!

 

           Good Luck!

 

 

 

I have an '89 260E with 270K on the odometer with no tranny problems.  I bought it 12 years ago with 24K and have taken it to the dealer for most of the major repair issues.  Good luck!

The 260E was introduced as a marketing move to increase sales numbers. It has a five cylinder motor that is as reliable as any Mercedes motor but not as good as the proven straight line six cylinder found in most 124 body Mercedes. The six doesn't have to work as hard to move the car down the road and many MB enthusiasts would favor it big time over the 260. The 300E is much faster, stronger and quieter. It sells much easier than a 260. P.

5 cylinder????  Mine's a 6!  Just a 2.6L in lieu of a 3.0L.

Any 1988 vintage auto (of any marque) will need work here and there to keep it on the road (simple wear and tear items).  If the previous owner(s) have not maintained and repaired the car properly or to the highest degree (ignoring the accident repairs scenario) this type of car will cost $ to restore and keep roadworthy.

If on the other hand it's characteristics were the opposite of that described above- -  an overmaintained, no accident, non abused, properly repaired vehicle...you will need much less $ to keep it roadworthy.

The 260E here in North America was a M103 Inline 6cyl motor; ~158horse power, fuel injected, premium fuel.

Mark's recommendations are sound.  Be sure to get a qualified tech to review the entire vehicle before purchasing.

fyi- I have '92 300E 2.6 with 252K miles.  Everything works and performs exactly as the factory intended (nothing more nothing less).  Great gas mileage, ice cold R12 a/c, low on-going maintence.  It has original tranny in it and doesn't leak a drop of fluid.  It is my daily driver.

 

Hope this helps

-fad

 

Thank you all for the great info! It has been very beneficial

I agree with fad above.  Mine is a daily driver and I've had it for 12 years.  It's been to the dealer on all checkups, plus I changed oil between it's normal intervals.  Make sure that the previous owner maintained the service records.  The only down side to the 260 was the lower horsepower.  With the AC on you cann't get out of your own way, but it's a heavy car and well built.  I'd trust mine to drive anywhere.  Mine still feels like a new car on the road.  Let us know how you make out on your purchase.  Good luck!