98MBE320

From everything you may have read or heard or experienced about the 210, what's the best model year for this car in terms of reliability and quality?

stickygreen

it depends on your preferences. I personally believe that 1997 is the best year since it is the last of the inline-6 and first year of the 5-spd auto tranny. But if you don't mind the v6, the later years should be the best (01-02). I just have a thing for inline-6 motors.

Raj
'97 E320
'85 535i

<img src=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/336000-336999/336996_4_full.jpg>

MB Fanatic

I am going to go with 2001-2002. Im partial to 2001 E320 since I had one before it got traded in for the 2006 E350.

foxden

If you are talking diesel, then definitely 98 or 99 when it was turbo.

d2Benz

I'll say the later models years 2000+,
because of the physical look...its a little bit more appealing than the earlier ones.....taillights, slanted front grill, 3rd brake light don't look cheap, the bumpers and the side skirts...and so on.

mysticblu999

you can replace all the lights and stuff man... the 97 is the only year that they put the inline 6 with the 5sp. i think the inline 6 will by far out last the V6...

why_not

I have a 96/97.. diesel with turbo.. 535.000 km.. and still running strong..

So the tecnical stuff was ok in 96.. but the looks is better the newer the car gets..

stickygreen

Both the 24v inline-6 and 18v v6 have proven to be very reliable with proper maintenance. The inline's have been known to suffer from leaking head gaskets (no probs with mine in 163k miles), but are otherwise bulletproof. And I am very impressed at how well the v6's have held up, as I did not expect much of them when first released.

But I would take an inline-6 over a v6 any day as it is an inherently smoother & better-sounding motor. Next car will likely be an '05 e320 cdi...the last inline-6 Mercedes passenger car.

Raj
'97 E320 (DOHC inline-6)
'85 535i (SOHC inline-6, soon to be boosted)

<img src=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/336000-336999/336996_4_full.jpg>

zam2000

I agree. I think all W210 are good. There're always exceptions, but generally speaking, the W210 is one of the last model where Mercedes build car, then calculate price later. Most of the W210 I know, whether I6 or V6, have held up extremly well.

My next Mercedes will be a W210 E55

mysticblu999

yeah.. i can't belive the way mercedes is now. trying to build things cheaper.... it makes me sick.

straightSIX

uh, I thoought the 210 was one of the first models to be cost effective and the 124 was the last of the 'tank' breed.

stickygreen

Mercedes started cutting costs with the introduction of the 3-valve motors. The last of the classic "overbuilt" chassis' were the 140 S-class, 210 e-class, 129? SL-class, and 202 C-class. By the time they started cutting costs in the mid-nineties, the 210 had already been designed.


Do you honestly think that Mercedes and BMW could survive in the luxury market without cutting costs? The Japanese came in and changed the rules of the game. If the Germans didn't cut costs, a new E500 or 545i would likely cost well over $80k, which wouldn't be competitive with the Japanese in a market segment where cars are replaced every few years. The problem is that they rushed to bring products to the market without proper development & testing. BMW rushed their i-drive system to the market, and it was a nightmare.

Though not quite as "overbuilt", all of the newer MBZ models are still very solidly built (chassis & drivetrain), with the vast majority of problems being with electronics (i.e. airmatic, SBC brakes, etc.) and some cheaper interior parts (especially in the '00-'04 C-class). Mercedes has supposedly changed their electronics supplier as of late as a result of all these issues. Interior quality is definitely improving, starting with the '03 S/CL class, '05 C-class, and all the 211 E's. The new CLS has an absolutely gorgeous & high-quality interior, though I wish they'd get rid of that damn steering wheel.


The only MBZ that I would truly call a POS is the last-generation M-class, especially the earlier ones. That is the epitome of "cost-cutting"

mysticblu999

i dont' know if its just me but i think alot of the new ones just look cheap. i honestly don't like them. they don't have the classic look like they used too. they remind me of a damn lexus or something. and i especially hate the new elass. the *** looks like a damn ford taurus or something...

endy

i think the best year is .. 1999 and 2000. because.. i don't know if this is correct but they start to use cheaper material to build the cars.. like they use to have the strong material.. u wonder why its so hard to close the doors for the older models and easier with these new mercedes benzes.. the 2002+ models..
tat's why i think 1999 model is the best.. anyone who disagrees, agrees, knows information about it PLEASE PM ME..

MB AMG

I have a 1998 E320 and i'm not even sure if it's built as solidly or affected by the cost cutting. The doors don't sound like the 124 doors but overall I think it's a solid car. GRR, turn signal arm loose!!

golfxtz

Ever since Daimler mated its name with Chrysler the E-class workmanship has been suspect... my 2-cents.

JamE55

I'd have 2 say 2002! Only because... :p

diffuzi0n

i was looking at those consumer reports and chryslers realibility has increased since the merger, but mercedes' has plummited downwards. That is why if u look at the jd powers you will see that models after 99 dont have great ratings anymore...
however even before the merger i just cannot believe the amounts of rust that this car has!!

HTBenz

I think the w124's were the last of the great E class cars. My E class has rattles and stuff that I would not expect in a Benz. I swear parts keep breaking off right after I get something else fixed. I now know the parts guys names and they know me at Star Motor's.

People say the 98 models up are better quality but after spending time in a 2005 I was unimpressed.

MBZ12

My vote is for the 2000-2002 E's