Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

The Panzerwagen is a 1990 Mercedes 300TE-24, finished in Smoke Silver metallic paint with mushroom leather upholstery.

It has 212553 miles on the clock, most of it in its early life. It has bucketloads of history and has had all the big expensive jobs done over its life (e.g. engine mounts, ball joints, head gasket, radiators, etc).

Really solid body (it looks like it had partial restoration and respray at some point), but slight rust on all four wheel arches (idiot 2nd owner put those nasty chrome arch covers on). The passenger side front wing is quite rusty in the usual place and slightly dented as well, so I bought a used genuine Mercedes wing, and removed all traces of rust from it. This is included: It's ready for sanding and painting in the right colour.

There is no rust in the rear side panels (a common problem) and the jacking points are all sound, and there are no leaks, and no wind noise. There's some alloy corrosion on the passenger side rear side window trim - I guess this wasn't prepped properly

It's loaded with kit:
5 Leather seats. I have most of a 7 seat conversion I'll chuck in for an extra £100 if you want. You'd still need the floorboard lid things.
leather door trim, steering wheel and gear knob.
Electrically adjustable front seats, the driver's having two memory settings. Even the headrests are electric!
Four electric windows
Electric tilt and slide steel sunroof
Electric passenger door mirror.
Central door locking with convenience control (closes roof and all windows automatically when you hold they key in the 'lock' position). Works from both front doors and boot.
Alarm immobiliser with remote locking and arming operation. This is turned off at the moment because it's a bit sensitive in the wind, but if you like remote locking you can turn it on again.
Anti lock brakes
Headlamp wash wipe
Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors
Dual zone air conditioning (Not working - out of gas as it stood for 5 years and then they banned R12. I had it pressure tested and apparently it's all sound. I was quoted £350 for R134 conversion or try a fill with RS24)
Alloy wheels - 7J 15 inch 8 hole replicas with almost brand new Continental Premium Contact 5 tyres. These are the Sportline size so I put 205x60R15 tyres on. I also have some 17 inch genuine Mercedes Mehkab wheels with nearly new Good Year Eagle assymetric 2 tyres on. These are currently fitted but I was planning to remove and either keep or sell them. However I will include these for an additional £450. (The spare is the original 15 hole 6.5Jx15 with a 195/65R15 'Lee Conquest Sport'.)
Power steering
Cruise control
Blaunpunkt Toronto 420 BT CD/RDS radio with SD card, USB, Aux inputs, bluetooth, hands free, ipod/iphone compatibility.
4 Kenwood speakers.
Electric radio antenna.
Burr walnut veneer
Retractable loadspace cover and cargo net.
Outside temperature display
Original first-aid kit, jack, tool kit and warning triangle.
Electrically, the car is pretty good. All the warning lights come on correctly when you turn the key and they all go a out again when they are supposed to. The rear heated window works, as does the rear wash wipe (just had a new motor and switch)
The only electrical fault I'm aware of is that the rear tailgate should pull the boot closed when you gently pop it onto the catch. This doesn't work, so you have to close the boot properly yourself (ooh, the hardship). It might the the motor or a connection, I've not bothered to check because it's a pointless frippery anyway.
The front wiper doesn't really get any faster on the fast speed - this is either because the motor is worn out, or the jumping wiper mech needs lubrication, or both.

The engine is the 3 litre straight six M104.980 with twin camshafts, 24 valves, variable valve timing and electronic fuel injection. It's the non catalyst model, which means you get a very healthy 231 bhp, (a fair bit more than the 3.2 that replaced it!). In the last 2 years it's had a new head gasket, new oil seals for the timing cover and camshaft cover, new rotor arm and distributor cap, new oil level sensor, new thermostat. It keeps perfect oil pressure and water temperature. It's Unlike the later 280 and 320 models the 3 litre version uses a distributor and proper HT leads so it does not suffer from the dreaded wiring loom failure. Emissions are nice and low. Spot on, in fact. As mentioned it's playing silly buggers with the idle dropping too low and cutting out, but at moving about speed it all works fine.

The gearbox is the 4 speed automatic, with a switchable economy mode. It changes and kicks down exactly as it should.

The self levelling suspension is in perfect working order with no leaks. It rides really well. The front anti-roll bar bushes have recently been changed, as has the left hand front wishbone and spring both with new genuine Mercedes parts. The rear right driveshaft was also replaced recently with a genuine Mercedes item. The brakes (nearly new vented discs all round) are have a recent pad and fluid change and are powerful and progressive. They have ABS which appears to work fine. The parking brake cables and shoes have been recently replaced so you have the rarity of an E class with a perfectly functioning parking brake.

The leather interior is soft, clean, and in superb condition with no cuts, burns or tears. Unusually for these cars the drivers side bolster is intact and in good shape, though with a bit of patina. All the wood is perfect with no cracks, blooms, lifting or any other faults. The carpets, having been protected with mats for the last 23 years are absolutely pristine. I found an original set of genuine Mercedes tailored floor mats to keep the carpets nice. All the plastics are clean and perfect too, as is the headlining, with no sagging. The car has never been smoked in.

Price to forumengers for all this car is £750 if you're prepared to fix the stalling problem yourself (or live with it), £1000 if I manage to. Add £450 for lovely 17 inch wheels. Add £100 for (most of) 7 seat conversion.