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Need a couple suggestions on how to fix my headliner
She's a 1998 e320 wagon w210 chassis. She runs great...but she's looking a little drab. The headliner in the back is starting to peel away and I haven't found a mechanic that has deemed it worthy for repair. Spray adhesive only helps so much unfortunately and makes a mess everywhere when used.
If anyone has a solution please let me know
I've owned my 2000 E320 since May 2013, The engine and transmission have given no issues, but everything else seems to. Every time I fix one thing I find 2 more that need to be done. I'm honestly not enjoying it. Compared to my other euros, I can DEFINITELY see the Diamler influence in the W210. It's my 1st Mercedes, but has put me off Mercedes as a whole...
I've had mine for 2 years now, 1997 e420 sport. Bought it for 3,000 dollars 108,000 miles. A bunch of little things wrong headlight fuse blown, fuel injector leaking, wheel caps and hood emblem missing, driver power seat would only adjust forward no matter what one you moved, secondary air pump light, burnt out running lamps, missing tow hook cover, and something else I'm sure. After squaring all that away besides the tow hook cover, because the amg style bumper one is impossible to find online for under 250 dollars and dealer wants 370!
The only things I've ran into in the 7,500 miles was a misfire (ignition coil was the problem) and the exhaust rusted through, and it's starting to rust, so it will need new paint after winter.
All in I'm probably at 5,000 dollars, yeah I could be making payments on a brand new Toyota Camry if you break it down into monthly payments. But man is it fun to drive and I get at least one comment on it a week, for an 18 year old car.
I drove VW diesels for over 15 years until I bought my first new vehicle a Tacoma truck which I still have but daily driver is a Toyota Solara.
BUT my secret desire was always an MB diesel that I could put a half million miles on and ignore the "need" to get the latest cool car.
okay, I bought a 97 SL500 Sport first because I do like to have fun, but recently bought a 98 E 300 Turodiesel. The short story is I paid 3000$ even for it. 246,670 miles and engine was replaced 60,000 miles ago. Runs, drives great but #2 glow plug needed to be removed hopefully not seized and fuel leak fixed.
So how long will it last? It will be interesting to find out.
Bought my 01 E55 back at end of June. Last owner or two didn't really take care of a few nagging issues. I replaced front left, lower control arm and ball for $90 myself. I put the wheels in proper locations and put on 2 new rear tires. Replaced brake light switch, fuel filter, and the PSE pumo / Central Locking System. It really sucks to have to roll windows up and down with remote to get it locked and unlocked. I found an 01 E class with many parts the same, the PSE was different model but same year, worked without reprogramming. I still have the Pixel gauge repair to do. I still get 0455 error but plan to chase that down some day. (keep my odb II reader in the trunk)
I've had Chevy, Pontiac, Dodge, and traded in an 01 Saturn coupe for this 01 E55. It's old and wasn't taken as good of care as it deserved. But for $7200 on a car originally sold for $71,000 it's an awesome experience. I don't mind working on it as it looks and drives like no other. I don't race it but there hasn't been anything I couldn't pull away from.
I've had my 2001 E430 Sport for a long time and I've always babied this car. I was a Mercedes technician so I don't mind when issues come about because every car has them. I've never owned a car without issues, period. Mine has 176k on the clock and runs and drives perfectly! I have replaced the radiator due to a leak, water pump (bearing play), lower control arms, sway bar bushings, cut half a coil on the front springs and installed #1 pads and #2's out back. I only replaced one rear window regulator, I lube the tracks every few months, trans conductor plate, flush every fluid every 30k, headlight harnesses fell apart (replaced harnesses), no rust whatsoever on this car, still flawless original paint, interior is absolutely mint with not one year or crack, ditched the factory wheels for staggered 18's. I will go to the grave with this car! Most comfortable, safe, fun to drive gas hog I've ever driven lol I love my 210 and will never trade it for anything else! Rock on guys!
WOW, dude. That car is GORGEOUS. I have a particular affinity for black cars, and yours is definitely a winner. AND the price you got it for is unbelievable. Did you get it in that condition, or have you had to do any work to get it there?
I bought a silver 1997 E420 a few months ago. I wish it were black, but I just felt like I couldn't pass up the deal I got for it - $2800. The interior is immaculate, body is very good - some dings here and there that can e rubbed out by a paintless dent repair guy, and it has no rust anywhere.
But as much as I love my car, I would sell her in a heartbeat for a car like yours.
my beautiful 2002 e320 with a little north of 240k miles on the clock. Im planning on researching on the forum about getting projector headlights or for the car due to the ones now being pretty cloudy at the moment after using the 3m headlight restoration kit about 2 years ago.
Was looking for sedan this past spring to replace an old 2001 Saturn coupe. Looked at Hemi Chargers & last couple years of the Pontiac Grand Prix GXP's. Stumbled upon something by MB called an E55 AMG. Knew what MB was, luxury and class. Knew that AMG meant performance (didn't know what AMG stood for). Research led to a test drive in a rough 2000 E55 AMG with 116,000 on it. A little higher in distance than I wanted, retail lot price was $9-11,000 depending on what day it was (Ford dealer changed the price weekly up and down!?). Few months later, hunting down the right car, right price, chasing this 2001 E55 AMG from CL then to the dealer they traded it to. 103,000m for $7,200.
She had a few blemishes inside and out but that's just experience, she sounded soooo sweet in my ears, singing her V8 rumbling song. Love at first site, one test drive and I was ready to take her home.
I have replaced a broken lower left control arm, put the wheels in their correct locations and replaced rear tires for now. She still winks at me, with her funny half working LED gauge clusters but I don't mind too much. Don't really care what the outside temp is while were cruising. My cell phone has a clock, hammer down she'll shift the gears for me.
I hope to spend many more miles and years together. She is the most fun I have had in a long time.
Last edited by TwoTone-Gent; 11-24-2015 at 03:21 PM.
When you consider a good vs. bad "investment" on a car has to do with how much less money one model makes you lose (over another model ) after owning it for a specific time, my 01 E320 would not rate high on wall street.
I bought it in late '01 with 2K miles and now it's got around 170K. It has been a true'n true great ride all these years, and if I sold it I don't know what else, other than a new one I'd buy. That would make it my 3rd..since I owned a '96 w210 before this one.
Wow I just realized I'm going on 20 years with w210!
Now while my kids were growing, they did a nice job "aging" it..and recently I have decided to replace and repair rather than sell. You will see my asking dumb questions all over this forum ..that's because I can no longer just walk into the dealer and ask for a fix. Times have changed, and thanks to this forum I have been able to continue driving my ultimate driving machine.
Bought my E55 back in March when someone totaled my E30 and insurance screwed me so I was tight on cash. One owner, used as a company car. Stack of receipts, serviced only at MB up to point of sale. Kept inside a warehouse. Guy even bought the tires from MB lol.
Chose the w210 since M113 and 722.6 is bulletproof. Absolutely thrashed an XJR I had for a few years with the 722.6 so I knew it was a good trans. Good build quality, no Airmatic or ABC. No supercharger or turbos getting in the way.
Bought it at 171k for $4,500, has 187k now and has given me no real issues. Drive 100 mile commute for work and it's great. Get it up to redline any day I have to commute. Replaced compressor, condenser, exp valve, and drier for about $500 myself. Threw on some Bilstein yellow sport shocks all around for another $500. Serviced trans and fluid was still fresh. Regular oil/air filter changes and that's been it. Working on the car has been surprisingly easy so far. Better than my sisters Civic, and I can still get 26-27 mpg going 65 mph in the summer! 25 mpg winter and the AC is always set to 57f. Have been averaging 20-22mpg tanks during the winter, same as my 2.5l 3,000lb 190hp E30.
Only thing that still bugs me is the springs, want to throw on some e430 springs and compare. Roads here are trash and even though it's only 3750lb it's no canyon carver. Would rather have a smooth ride any day. Will need a full suspension overhaul soon. Was supposed to be a transitional vehicle but I'm thinking of keeping it
My dad left me 1999 E320 with 134,000 miles last year. We bought the car for his retirement present and he loved it. Every time I go out in the garage I see it as if my dad is about to drive it off with a big smile on his face. I really miss him...
My dad never took it to the stealership for A/B service. Just a local gas station oil change every year. If I remember correctly, dealer replaced catalytic converters due to some rattle sound in early years.
Since then, Original battery was replaced.(normal wear) 2 sets of tires, several brake pads replacement and oil change at every 10K mile at a local gas station. Nothing really failed while in his possession. I now want to go thru the list of things that needs to be done as none of the A/B scheduled maintenance services was performed. Wish me a luck. Car still drives like a new.
Last edited by Junster; 02-01-2016 at 01:57 PM.
Reason: typo
I've had my 2001 E430 Sport for a long time and I've always babied this car. I was a Mercedes technician so I don't mind when issues come about because every car has them. I've never owned a car without issues, period. Mine has 176k on the clock and runs and drives perfectly! I have replaced the radiator due to a leak, water pump (bearing play), lower control arms, sway bar bushings, cut half a coil on the front springs and installed #1 pads and #2's out back. I only replaced one rear window regulator, I lube the tracks every few months, trans conductor plate, flush every fluid every 30k, headlight harnesses fell apart (replaced harnesses), no rust whatsoever on this car, still flawless original paint, interior is absolutely mint with not one year or crack, ditched the factory wheels for staggered 18's. I will go to the grave with this car! Most comfortable, safe, fun to drive gas hog I've ever driven lol I love my 210 and will never trade it for anything else! Rock on guys!
Never had anyone tell me to lube the window regulators; is that a simple task?
Do you have write ups on how to change out trans conductor plate, headlight harness, lower control arm bushings, sway bars and springs. Cost to do some of this if I can't do it myself and best place to get parts.
Never had anyone tell me to lube the window regulators; is that a simple task?
Do you have write ups on how to change out trans conductor plate, headlight harness, lower control arm bushings, sway bars and springs. Cost to do some of this if I can't do it myself and best place to get parts.
1. Window regulator lubing is a little involved. You need to remove the door panels very carefully. All you do is grease the slides and window tracks and it saves the life of the regulators because they are a huge soft spot in these cars, especially the rears.
2. The trans conductor plate is pretty simple. As long as you stay clean and keep the valve body clean you'll be ok. As long as you torque the conductor plate and the pan you will be just fine. I don't have any write ups for any of this but I can create some if you'd like.
3. The headlight harnesses are pretty simple. You can R&R them without removing the headlamp assemblies. Just unplug them, and feed them through the crevices of the headlight and I heat shrinked all the wires and had to replace a couple of connectors and it took care of my lamp defective message that plagues these cars.
4. Suspension I would leave to a pro as myself. I replaced my bushings while I was cutting coils and replacing spring pads. Killed a few birds with one stone essentially.
5. To have everything done "professionally" is costly but as long as you change all your fluids continuously and maintain the car by keeping every part lubed you'll save yourself a lot of money and own a happy car
Our cars are 13-20 years old! Mine is 14. Still washes up nice, rides perfect and is very reliable. I've found parts to be readily available and inexpensive. Still has plenty of life left and I can't thing of anything I'd like to replace it with.
How do you feel about your w210? Was it a good investment? I still see plenty on the road
I purchased my W210 2000 E320 in 2002 as a Certified Pre-owned vehicle and it's still my favorite and it has been a great investment. I have 228K miles. The engine and Tranny still runs beautifully. I purchased a 2008 W211 E350 and it's my current prize vehicle. I see plenty of the W210 in Palm Springs.
Last edited by victorylap; 02-15-2016 at 10:51 PM.
I agree with everyone with our W210. Mine is turning 15 years old this September and she is aging nicely. The more I see on the newer E classes, the more I love the W210. All the new ones look very bland and similar. The W210 design is very original and it looks nothing like any of its siblings (well, maybe W208). I am planning to keep mine forever. Happy motoring guys!
10-05-2015, 04:53 AM
103,000m for $7,200.
