I'm new to the site and I'm looking to buy my first Mercedes. I'm looking at a 95 E420,1 owner black/grey bottom with black interior. The car has 165K. The car looks very nice with no damage or rot. He is asking $2200 OBO is that a fair price, i'm hoping for $1500. The seller is an older gentleman that lives in a very nice area. He already told me it needs a windshield and a radiator. Is the anything else i should check or something i should be looking for. Thanks in advance.

Steve

 

Also looking at these wheels. Not sure if they will fit if so what tires do you recommend. I'm also thinking H&R springs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-x-...Q5fAccessories

 

$2200? man, prices have tumbled in the last 2 years.

 

Ask for service records and check to make sure the head gasket and wiring harness have been replaced. I'm not sure if the V8 had the head gasket issue, but that year definitely has a wiring harness issue (search the forum- there are a million threads on it).

It's also getting close to the age where the tranny will need a rebuild... From what I've gathered, they typically fail between 150k and 200k miles.

Take your time to find the right car. Although $2,200 is a really good price, you can easily spend that much on a single trip to the shop to get the wiring harness and/or head gasket done.

 

I don't think the head gasket is as big of an issue on the V8 as it is on the I6. Mine had a valve cover leak that cost me about $50 in parts and an evening of work (I am the biggest amateur mechanic out there). Also check the throttle body if you can. I am not sure how you do this on your own as I had a shop perform a PPI and they told me it was good. I think a rebuilt one of those is around $750.

Definitely check the wire harness. I would guess that a one owner should have all service records, but you never know.

 

Those wheels are too wide. check out this post for a start:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...00-wheels.html

 

i own a 94 e420 and i love it. But for $2200 i feel like there could be more to it than just a windshield and a radiator. I bought mine about 2 months ago for $4000 with 150k on it.

here are a few pics:

 

Umm, this is why i'll drive my w124 to the ground and i'm not putting any more money into it. I rather save the cash and get another car...

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1277133647.html

 

Wow thats crazy. That car is identical to mine.