kouirouk

Hello everyone and thank you in advance for your help and sorry for the number of questions.

First Question:
Besides the "usual" checks that you do when buying a used car, is there anything else that I should be aware of?

Second Question:
Would you do a pre-purchase inspection at a dealer or at an independent mechanic that specializes in MB?

Third Question:
It's a 17 year old car but with very low miles, what maintenance should I do as soon as I purchase it?

Fourth Question:
Do you have any positive or negative comments about this year and model?

RichardM98

I am assuming you are going to pay more than $1000 and expect to own and drive the car for a few years. If not, disregard my post.

Unless you want a bad taste in your mouth do a thorough inspection. Does the general condition represent a 17 yr old car or a car with 20K miles on it? I'd be pretty leery of such a low mileage car. A CarFax could confirm ownership. location, etc.

If it were me I'd have a MB tech inspect it and give you a written report. The report should include everything that was checked and the result. If someone isn't willing to do a written report then keep looking for someone who is.

Get a copy of the Maintenance Booklet for your model/year and perform all maintenance procedures starting with brake flush, coolant flush, oil and filter, brake pads and rotors, and transmission service.


The E420 was replaced by the E430 fairly quickly. E430 was a better engine. But a well maintained E420 is probably fine.

kouirouk

Thank you Richard.

I am paying a premium for this vehicle and it's more than a $1,000
The previous owner was a car collector and it was not driven much. The car looks brand new and it has all service records from the dealer. I also have the CarFax.

I am not sure why the E420 was only produced for one year. I believe the 97 E420 used the M119 engine that was produced from 1989 through 1999 and I read good things about it.

RichM

If this is going to be a garage queen, driven occasionally on a sunny Sunday afternoon, go for it. If you are going to use this car as a daily driver, I will give you the same advice I gave my son a couple of years ago when he found a 1995 Silverado with around the same miles. Don't do it. He didn't listen. Two years and many thousands later, it is a reliable truck but getting there was tough.

BTW, don't fall for the low miles big premium price bit. This is not a collector car, and never will be. A small premium for condition is reasonable.

RichardM98

I agree don't pay much extra for low mileage. These cars are capable of 250K if well maintained. Go to one of the online car value calculators and input various mileage figures to see how much low miles is really worth.

kouirouk

Thank you all for your input.

Any thoughts or special checks during a pre-purchase inspection?

RichardM98

Rust - bottom edge of doors and trunk lift handle.
Transmission Pan - for debris
OBD scan - for pending codes
Test Drive - Accelerate to 60mph and panic stop - two or three times on deserted country road.

RichM

If you have a dealer close by I would go there. Most dealers use the same check list for a PPI as they do for a CPO (Certified Pre Owned). This is a fairly thorough check and you will get a detailed report. If this does not include a STAR scan, I would include it. An OBD scan is not as comprehensive.

kouirouk

I called a couple of MB dealers and they both said that there is no need to hook-up to a diagnostic tool if there are no warnings on the dash. Does that make sense?

RichM

Star is more than just OBD. There are many complex systems in our cars that don't throw CELs. A quick test will poll these systems, show faults, stored faults, mis-communications between modules etc. basically a history of the car since the last time faults were cleared. They can also pull a VMI. Whether they will give it to you or not, the SA will let you write down exactly what has been done to the car at MB dealerships.

Is it absolutely necessary? No. Is the information it pulls up nice to know and have record of? Yes.

kouirouk

They want $125 for the inspection and another $125 for the Star Diagnostics. Is this "right"?

RichardM98

Sounds about right. You should be able to recoup some of that money by getting a lower price if there are any unknown issues. If there are none, then you get piece of mind.

RichM

$250 is spot on for a full inspection with a written report and a star scan. Make sure they pull a VMI and get a copy of the scan. Many times the dealer will give you a copy of the VMI. If they will not, the SA will let you take notes as it's read aloud. If it is dealer serviced as stated, you will have a complete history of maintenance and warranty repairs. If you have the inspection done at the dealer where the owner had service done, on the authorization of the owner they may give you the VMI. Dealers say it is a privacy issue, but as far I remember there is no sensitive info generated on the VMI.

You never stated whether this is going to be a daily driver or not. If it will be, make sure to set aside at least 2-3K for repairs if you will not be DIYing, regardless of what the inspection shows. Add another $700 or so if the tires are more than a couple of years old. It would not suprise me if it has the OE rubber. Anything made of rubber degrades and deteriorates over time no matter how the car is stored. Suspension bushings, vacuum hoses, valve cover gaskets and breather, fluid filled motor mounts, shocks etc. The concept of a 17yo car with very low miles being trouble free is a fantasy.

kouirouk

Thank you for all this great information.

It will be used as a second vehicle. Between 6 and 8,000 miles a year. I don't work on my own vehicles. You are definitely make me worried about my purchase ):

RichM

Not intending to scare you, but prepare you. Remember, these were $50, 000 ++ cars when new. Parts and service are priced as such. Drive gently. I wish you much luck, and many trouble free miles.

jessejames4

Make sure you have the front spring perches checked. That's a $1500 job if they have to be replaced.

kouirouk

I would like to thank everyone for all their input. I can now say that I am a proud owner of a 1997 Mercedes E 420. After having the car checked out by my Auto Body Shop and MB Mechanic, the car is original and it looks brand new. I could not be happier!

Enjoy the photos

RichM

Very nice. Many happy and trouble free miles.

Brian Thornley

You will be spoiled there rest driving.