Mercedes 300CE puzzle

[bazza40]

I am thinking of buying a 1992 Mercedes 300CE coupe. Photos of the advertised vehicle show it with a large Mercedes 3-pointed star in the middle of the radiator grille. However, every other photo of this model shown on the internet that I have seen in researching the vehicle show that model year and in the proximate years to have the plain radiator grille, no star.

Possibilities: An AMG kit modification? Been replaced after an accident?

Knowledgeable opinion sought.

[Assurancetourix]

How much for this antiquite ?

In England you can buy one between 1500 to 2500 pounds : 85,000 baht to 140,000 baht ;

and be careful with second hand vehicles in Thailand;

never forget you are in the country of counterfeiting

[BSJ]

That model never had a MB star on the grill. Was probably owned by a government bus driver that niked one off a government bus.

[bazza40]

How much for this antiquite ?

In England you can buy one between 1500 to 2500 pounds : 85,000 baht to 140,000 baht ;

and be careful with second hand vehicles in Thailand;

never forget you are in the country of counterfeiting

Asking 350,000 baht; however, it is claimed to have 83,000 km only on the odometer. Most examples are 200,000 km plus.

Thanks for the advice. I do have some mechanical knowledge, and know what to look for. Just wondering if it was one of the Indonesia-built vehicles.

[DavisH]

How much for this antiquite ?

In England you can buy one between 1500 to 2500 pounds : 85,000 baht to 140,000 baht ;

and be careful with second hand vehicles in Thailand;

never forget you are in the country of counterfeiting

Asking 350,000 baht; however, it is claimed to have 83,000 km only on the odometer. Most examples are 200,000 km plus.

Thanks for the advice. I do have some mechanical knowledge, and know what to look for. Just wondering if it was one of the Indonesia-built vehicles.

What is the conditon like - does it look like it's only done 83K kms? There is only one example on one2car.com, so how easy will it be to source spares? Even 200K kms is not much and much less than my 2004 honda.

[bazza40]

How much for this antiquite ?

In England you can buy one between 1500 to 2500 pounds : 85,000 baht to 140,000 baht ;

and be careful with second hand vehicles in Thailand;

never forget you are in the country of counterfeiting

Asking 350,000 baht; however, it is claimed to have 83,000 km only on the odometer. Most examples are 200,000 km plus.

Thanks for the advice. I do have some mechanical knowledge, and know what to look for. Just wondering if it was one of the Indonesia-built vehicles.

What is the conditon like - does it look like it's only done 83K kms? There is only one example on one2car.com, so how easy will it be to source spares? Even 200K kms is not much and much less than my 2004 honda.

Going to Bangkok tomorrow to look at it.

[Woodsie888]

BSJ is correct. This model never had the Star in the grill, however it was a very popular aftermarket accessory during the 90's in all of SEA.

In fact lots of MB's in Germany had this done as well. I always thought they looked awful. However there don't seem to be too many original examples left in TH. Perhaps this is one of the few.

Can you post any photos of the car? I bought a new 300CE 24, followed by a 300 CE 24 Cabriolet and then a E320 Cabriolet, so am fairly familiar with them.

[lj cm]

If you buy it and live in Chiang Mai, I know a very good Benz mechanic.

He's a specialist in the old models.

[Sviss Geez]

It's nothing more than an after-market grille based on the design of the original W126 SEC, nothing to do with AMG.

[bazza40]

BSJ is correct. This model never had the Star in the grill, however it was a very popular aftermarket accessory during the 90's in all of SEA.

In fact lots of MB's in Germany had this done as well. I always thought they looked awful. However there don't seem to be too many original examples left in TH. Perhaps this is one of the few.

Can you post any photos of the car? I bought a new 300CE 24, followed by a 300 CE 24 Cabriolet and then a E320 Cabriolet, so am fairly familiar with them.

Google Siam Motor world, then click on Car Stock. About half a dozen photos.

[bazza40]

If you buy it and live in Chiang Mai, I know a very good Benz mechanic.

He's a specialist in the old models.

Thanks - if I do buy, I'll be in touch.

[Woodsie888]

BSJ is correct. This model never had the Star in the grill, however it was a very popular aftermarket accessory during the 90's in all of SEA.

In fact lots of MB's in Germany had this done as well. I always thought they looked awful. However there don't seem to be too many original examples left in TH. Perhaps this is one of the few.

Can you post any photos of the car? I bought a new 300CE 24, followed by a 300 CE 24 Cabriolet and then a E320 Cabriolet, so am fairly familiar with them.

Google Siam Motor world, then click on Car Stock. About half a dozen photos.

The whole bonnet (hood) on the car has been changed and the grill is styled a little like a R129 SL, which may be the Lorinser conversion from that era. (Or a local copy!)

The headlights are from the later facelift version.

It also has a Lorinser Steering Wheel and a little difficult to tell in the photo whether it has an air bag.

The rear light clusters and centre section is non original and although it wears an 'AMG' badge, the body styling looks like Lorinser from memory.

I don't recall those design wheels from the period.

Impala is the name of the colour.

Is it 12 valve or 24 valve?

The 24V had the 5 speed auto which was a great improvement as was the power. 40 - 50 BHP difference from memory.

[bazza40]

BSJ is correct. This model never had the Star in the grill, however it was a very popular aftermarket accessory during the 90's in all of SEA.

In fact lots of MB's in Germany had this done as well. I always thought they looked awful. However there don't seem to be too many original examples left in TH. Perhaps this is one of the few.

Can you post any photos of the car? I bought a new 300CE 24, followed by a 300 CE 24 Cabriolet and then a E320 Cabriolet, so am fairly familiar with them.

Google Siam Motor world, then click on Car Stock. About half a dozen photos.

The whole bonnet (hood) on the car has been changed and the grill is styled a little like a R129 SL, which may be the Lorinser conversion from that era. (Or a local copy!)

The headlights are from the later facelift version.

It also has a Lorinser Steering Wheel and a little difficult to tell in the photo whether it has an air bag.

The rear light clusters and centre section is non original and although it wears an 'AMG' badge, the body styling looks like Lorinser from memory.

I don't recall those design wheels from the period.

Impala is the name of the colour.

Is it 12 valve or 24 valve?

The 24V had the 5 speed auto which was a great improvement as was the power. 40 - 50 BHP difference from memory.

You're right, the 24V 5 speed auto was a much better design. I'll have to Google Lorinser to get more data. Thanks.

[Woodsie888]

BSJ is correct. This model never had the Star in the grill, however it was a very popular aftermarket accessory during the 90's in all of SEA.

In fact lots of MB's in Germany had this done as well. I always thought they looked awful. However there don't seem to be too many original examples left in TH. Perhaps this is one of the few.

Can you post any photos of the car? I bought a new 300CE 24, followed by a 300 CE 24 Cabriolet and then a E320 Cabriolet, so am fairly familiar with them.

Google Siam Motor world, then click on Car Stock. About half a dozen photos.

The whole bonnet (hood) on the car has been changed and the grill is styled a little like a R129 SL, which may be the Lorinser conversion from that era. (Or a local copy!)

The headlights are from the later facelift version.

It also has a Lorinser Steering Wheel and a little difficult to tell in the photo whether it has an air bag.

The rear light clusters and centre section is non original and although it wears an 'AMG' badge, the body styling looks like Lorinser from memory.

I don't recall those design wheels from the period.

Impala is the name of the colour.

Is it 12 valve or 24 valve?

The 24V had the 5 speed auto which was a great improvement as was the power. 40 - 50 BHP difference from memory.

You're right, the 24V 5 speed auto was a much better design. I'll have to Google Lorinser to get more data. Thanks.

Check out Koenig (Spelling?) as well.

[uwe_rayong]

This car looks like it has the old 4 gear auto transmission, because the sport selection switch is in the lower part of the block.

When they updated to 5 gear auto the switch moved in the upper part of the gear selection block.

[lostinisaan]

This car was never built with the star in the grill. There're so many options to change the face of it. AMG is one of the companies who do such changes.

If I were you, go for a compression test, tell a good garage to take the cylinder head cover of and let hem have a look on the cam. Says a lot about the km it already did.

If that car has only 88 K on the clock, then I'll eat my dog.

Please be aware that there're people out there who fill in some very thick oil to make a very noisy engine sound very good. But not for long.

I've had about 20 Benz in my country of origin and i guess I know what I'm talking about.

You can modify a Benz as you want to.

Does the car look like the one on the attached photo?

Edited August 24, 2015 by lostinisaan

[Sviss Geez]

It's nothing more than an after-market grille based on the design of the original W126 SEC, nothing to do with AMG.

Having seen the pictures it's clear that the car has actually had an SL front end conversion. This is not a difficult conversion for a competent bodyshop as the R129 SL was based on the W124 chassis. The normal W124 front wheel arches are slightly squared off in shape while this car has the rounded arches/wings of the SL as well as it's bonnet and headlamps.

[Sviss Geez]

Having seen the pictures it's clear that the car has actually had an SL front end conversion. This is not a difficult conversion for a competent bodyshop as the R129 SL was based on the W124 chassis. The normal W124 front wheel arches are slightly squared off in shape while this car has the rounded arches/wings of the SL as well as it's bonnet and headlamps.

The OP knows his cars but I'd add that bearing in mind the completely replaced front end, the boy racer-ed "AMG" rear end, the "Lorinser" steering wheel and the apparently ridiculously low miles it's done over the past 23 years I'd be treating this with a huge amount of caution. These models were also notorious for disintegrating engine bay wiring loom insulation to the extent that most of them needed replacing.

Of course, the only owner of the car who's had it from new may be able to dispel any misgivings potential buyers may have.

[Ace of Pop]

The 24 Valve is a Cosworth

[bazza40]

This car was never built with the star in the grill. There're so many options to change the face of it. AMG is one of the companies who do such changes.

If I were you, go for a compression test, tell a good garage to take the cylinder head cover of and let hem have a look on the cam. Says a lot about the km it already did.

If that car has only 88 K on the clock, then I'll eat my dog.

Please be aware that there're people out there who fill in some very thick oil to make a very noisy engine sound very good. But not for long.

I've had about 20 Benz in my country of origin and i guess I know what I'm talking about.

You can modify a Benz as you want to.

Does the car look like the one on the attached photo?

No, grille is different and no sunroof. Alloys are different.

Do you like pepper or sweet chili sauce with meat? While I know winding back odometers in Thailand is a national sport, this looked the real deal to me.

Inspected and drove the car today. A few things need fixing; however, I think it will be worth it.

It has had some Lorinser cosmetic stuff done to it.

Not a muscle car or fast out of the blocks. However, cruises very comfortably and soaks up the bumps well.

[bazza40]

Having seen the pictures it's clear that the car has actually had an SL front end conversion. This is not a difficult conversion for a competent bodyshop as the R129 SL was based on the W124 chassis. The normal W124 front wheel arches are slightly squared off in shape while this car has the rounded arches/wings of the SL as well as it's bonnet and headlamps.

The OP knows his cars but I'd add that bearing in mind the completely replaced front end, the boy racer-ed "AMG" rear end, the "Lorinser" steering wheel and the apparently ridiculously low miles it's done over the past 23 years I'd be treating this with a huge amount of caution. These models were also notorious for disintegrating engine bay wiring loom insulation to the extent that most of them needed replacing.

Of course, the only owner of the car who's had it from new may be able to dispel any misgivings potential buyers may have.

The owner from new has done a couple of things that had me shuddering, e.g. using straight water in the radiator instead of coolant. Fortunately, no rust as yet. Because he only used it infrequently, regular servicing was also ignored. Oil looked OK cold and after running. No exhaust smoke after idling 10 minutes, and then revving up.

Checked all the engine bay wiring, reasonably sound. All the electrics work.

Radiator grille mod was caused by a neighbour with limited reversing skills.

I think with second-hand prestige cars of this age one has to budget some money to get them back to first-class condition. Ok if you love classics like this, not so sensible if you just want transport.

[bazza40]

If you buy it and live in Chiang Mai, I know a very good Benz mechanic.

He's a specialist in the old models.

Thanks - if I do buy, I'll be in touch.

I'd be grateful if you could email me at [email protected] with the mechanic's details - name, address and telephone number.

[Sviss Geez]

Having seen the pictures it's clear that the car has actually had an SL front end conversion. This is not a difficult conversion for a competent bodyshop as the R129 SL was based on the W124 chassis. The normal W124 front wheel arches are slightly squared off in shape while this car has the rounded arches/wings of the SL as well as it's bonnet and headlamps.

The OP knows his cars but I'd add that bearing in mind the completely replaced front end, the boy racer-ed "AMG" rear end, the "Lorinser" steering wheel and the apparently ridiculously low miles it's done over the past 23 years I'd be treating this with a huge amount of caution. These models were also notorious for disintegrating engine bay wiring loom insulation to the extent that most of them needed replacing.

Of course, the only owner of the car who's had it from new may be able to dispel any misgivings potential buyers may have.

The owner from new has done a couple of things that had me shuddering, e.g. using straight water in the radiator instead of coolant. Fortunately, no rust as yet. Because he only used it infrequently, regular servicing was also ignored. Oil looked OK cold and after running. No exhaust smoke after idling 10 minutes, and then revving up.

Checked all the engine bay wiring, reasonably sound. All the electrics work.

Radiator grille mod was caused by a neighbour with limited reversing skills.

I think with second-hand prestige cars of this age one has to budget some money to get them back to first-class condition. Ok if you love classics like this, not so sensible if you just want transport.

It's your money, of course, that you are potentially spending so the decision is yours but the neighbour's driving ability must have been spectacularly bad.

That car does not just have a modified rad grille. It has an entire SL bonnet. It has SL headlights and sidelights, that means it also has to have SL wings (SL and W124 sidelights and wings are not the same so the lights are not interchangeable). That is a lot of modification undertaken by someone who can't be bothered with the simple stuff like regular servicing.

Best of luck, if you buy it you'll have a unique car.

[mike324]

You can never trust the odometer reading, a friend sold his car to the "tent" with over 500,000 km on his Mercedes, the tent did an engine swap and rolled it back to 100,000 km, replace seats and interior parts, looks very new waiting for the next customer. With old cars I'm sure you know what you are getting yourself into, as long as you are happy with the condition and know its mechanically sound, you will enjoy it no matter what.

[lj cm]

If you buy it and live in Chiang Mai, I know a very good Benz mechanic.

He's a specialist in the old models.

Thanks - if I do buy, I'll be in touch.

I'd be grateful if you could email me at [email protected] with the mechanic's details - name, address and telephone number.

Hi' bazza40. Did you get my PM?

[bazza40]

If you buy it and live in Chiang Mai, I know a very good Benz mechanic.

He's a specialist in the old models.

Thanks - if I do buy, I'll be in touch.

I'd be grateful if you could email me at [email protected] with the mechanic's details - name, address and telephone number.

Hi' bazza40. Did you get my PM?

Got it, having trouble opening it away from CM. Software in some internet cafes somewhat ordinary.