martz

under 100k miles . Would appreciate anyone to chime in on what to look for or expect on these models.

Does this model also have the dreaded wire harness issue?
Have never own a v8 merc either. Are they bulletproof?
How about the transmissions?
TIA!

STLe320

I believe there's another thread exactly like this somewhere on here..

ShanMan

there is another thread similar to this, but to address the basics right now:

The wiring harness replacement issue is very much an issue for this car, although my car has 160K on the odo and I still have the original harness.....and everything works. I know my day is coming however.

Engines are just about bulletproof save for: High operating and underhood temperatures that can be partially helped by removing the belly pan. BTW: this is typically only an issue in warmer climates. In the winter, when the outside temps are 50-70 degrees F, my car runs at 85 degees C. When it gets over 80 degrees F outside, the engine temps creep toward 90 degrees C. In the heat of summer, my car runs at 105 degrees C...which I think is dangerously hot for all the plastic and rubber parts in the engine bay. Mercedes says 105 C is acceptable however.

Transmission doesn't seem to be an issue...neither are head gaskets. Happy hunting!

martz

From what i've read and gathered wiring harness issues start at the 80k mark. Vehicle I was planning to look at has 87k- hence got cold feet to check it out, fearing that i could be left with a wiring harness issue sooner rather than later.

EDIT: Seller states harness never been replaced. And with rumors of gas price's skyrocketing to $4 a gallon by this summer , I may have to re consider getting into a V8.

GEDaggett

320 and 420 not much different on the mileage depending how you drive em. My 320 is a solid 19 - 20 mpg around town.

RHW

If you bail on the sale...
post the details?

Sometimes...members here like to pick up these cars.



I test drove a 400E the other day and LOVED it.
(But chose a 300E Sportline)

E320A

I have both a 1994 E420 and 1994 E320. Mileage is basically the same but the performance on the 420 is way better. Both cars have over 200,000 KM (125,000 miles) and have never had any problmes with the wiring harness. The 420 has different gears in the rearend and actually gets better mileage on the highway than the 320. Only thing that ever has gone is a blower motor regulator on the 320 otherwise the cars have been very good to me.
Happy hunting.

Holson

The mileage was never an issue for me - it was decent for a supremely smooth, powerful and sonorous V8 (cant believe it was designed in the 90s). I loved the sound of the small block V8, it had a nice snarl to it compared to my CLK55.

WARNING! Make sure the A/C evaporator is in good shape. I spent close to $5k fixing that up when it went.

ShanMan

OUCH!!!

Saijin_Naib

Mine is shot as well. I guess I can finally take all that stuff out the car, save some weight, and find an underdrive pulley because there is no way Im spending 5k on air conditioning. My windows still work, just slowly :P

martz

Is this a common issue? Can't live without AC where I live. Summers here get really sticky.

ShanMan

dunno......but I can tell you that here in AZ, air conditioning is not an option either....it's a necessity!

CDP

Dang. Thank got the previous owner replace that a month or two before I bought the car.

Smokiesman

Go for the E420!! great car great motor and you will love that grin on yer face ! I did the repair on my AC last summer! replaced the expansion valve and new drier . I vacuumed the system added the sealer and recharged. Seems to have worked! I have been in FL since DEC and when I get back going to see if system still has pressure! If so gonna be a happy camper!

Smokie

ShanMan

after having lived there for three years I can attest to the fact that there is no place harder on an evaporator than south Florida! Both my Hondas at the time needed the evaps changed out and they (the cars) were less than four years old each.