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1993 Mercedes-Benz 400E

A little over a week ago I looked at a great 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E for sale in California for only $2,000. Not surprisingly, that car sold soon after. But in case you missed out on that awesome budget V8 W124, you are in luck with today’s car. Another 400E, this time a 1993, has come up for sale for in California for, once again, only $2,000. Unfortunately, this one comes with a little bit of a catch.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Mercedes-Benz 400E on Orange County Craigslist

Year: 1993
Model: 400E
Engine: 4.2 liter V8
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 280,000 mi
Price: $2,000

This 1993 Mercedes-Benz 400E has been a wonderful car for several years, but has just now stopped going into 4th gear. The car runs and drives very well, and I still use it every day in “3” mode. It is perfectly usable, but will need transmission work to get good gas mileage again on the freeway. The condition of this car is very good, especially the interior/upholstery. The headliner is sagging, but otherwise very clean.

– Rare 4.2 liter V8 32v DOHC M119 engine
– All routine maintenance is up to date: spark plugs, air filters, engine oil, etc
– NEW BFGoodrich tires
– Wheels were refinished with OE color powder coat
– Euro spec headlights (USA ones included)
– Original stereo and genuine Mercedes trunk-mounted CD changer
– Many extra spare parts included
– CLEAN TITLE in hand

Much like the 1992 from over a week ago, this one also has well over 200,000 miles on it but fear not, this W124 looks like it comes from a loving home home as well based on what the seller is presenting in the ad description. What’s the catch then? Well, sadly this 400E won’t go into fourth gear anymore. This is a little bit of a problem if you are cruising the 5 or 405 freeway and this thirsty V8 is turning at 4,500 rpm. In my opinion, this isn’t a death sentence for this car. A quick trip up to Van Nuys to visit the guys at Sun Valley Mercedes Transmissions, one the best Mercedes-Benz transmission rebuilders in the country, will probably have fourth gear back in this car in a few days. You would be left with a great 400E and a fresh transmission for an amount still well under what a I usually see these cars listed for.

– Andrew

6 Comments

  1. Greggiekay
    Greggiekay March 20, 2017

    2 seconds of internet searching have me thinking a good fluid n filter change could be the fix.

  2. john g myddleton
    john g myddleton March 20, 2017

    hi there do you know the ball park figure of what it would cost to replace the fourth gear on this car.
    thanks john.

  3. Andrew
    Andrew March 20, 2017

    @John – I don’t know if ‘replacing the fourth gear’ is a solution to the problem. A quick call to Sun Valley (linked in the second paragraph) and telling them that you have a W124 400E that isn’t going into fourth will probably give you an answer in two minutes. I’m willing to bet they’ve dealt with hundreds of 722.3 transmissions.

  4. audifan
    audifan March 20, 2017

    I just had the tranny of a 1994 E320 Wagon rebuilt, since it had a very weak reverse. The shop owner, who rebuilt many 722 transmissions, only replaced worn out parts. The bill was less than
    $1k.

  5. Kirt
    Kirt March 21, 2017

    Look at the ad now – the transmission now refuses to go into ANY gear and the price is now $1750. This would be a fun project if it wasn’t 2000 miles away! There is TONS of rebuild info for these transmissions online and I had considered picking up a similar era W140 a while back and attempting a rebuild ofthe transmission myself.

  6. Glenn
    Glenn March 25, 2017

    If a significant amount of tranny fluid leaked out, it wouldn’t engage any gear. Wouldn’t that be an incredible find? Pour a few bottles of fluid in, and drive away. Unlikely, but stranger (stupider?) things have happened. 😉

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