E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

E300 Diesel questions

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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 12:23 PM
  #1  
190E-Boy's Avatar
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From: PA/NJ
1996 E300 Black/Grey and Rust :(
E300 Diesel questions

I'm looking at a 1996 E300 Diesel 131K miles on the car

1. What color should the oil be? Normal, brown amber or black?

2. Any known problems with these cars?

3. The compartment above the ashtray, does that open or is it
there as a blank?

4. Have your engines stayed clean (pristine) or will it get dirty, some
picture look amazing..this one didn't stound me

5. Fan shroud has a chunk missing????

6. Door handles look like they melted inside..is that normal?

7. headlights have moisture in them after heavy rain, I'm assuming that is not good...not just foggy, really humid in there.

thanks
190E-Boy

Last edited by 190E-Boy; Oct 24, 2005 at 12:39 PM.
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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 05:18 PM
  #2  
lexrex's Avatar
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'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
1. Oil color really depends on how recently the oil has been changed, and is generally a meaningless measure of oil quality. If you're concerned about what's in the oil, you should get an oil analysis. Oil begins to darken the moment you drive it. Oil in diesel engines turns dark more quickly than gas b/c of the soot.

3. Yes, there is a storage bin above the ashtray.

6. No.

7. The headlights are no longer sealed. Not good to have moisture in there. Might be repairable by removing the headlight assembly and applying silicone sealant to the lens.
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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 05:23 PM
  #3  
190E-Boy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 66
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From: PA/NJ
1996 E300 Black/Grey and Rust :(
Thanks

Anyone else experience the water in the headlights...how did you go about fixing them...silicone as suggested or is there a gasket that has worn over time?????

All comments welcome!
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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 09:40 PM
  #4  
michakaveli's Avatar
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Columbia, SC
E300
it's a diesel pimpin'.... Black. I like it black. The oil will turn black soon after a recent oil change. It's from the soot. It'll be black soon after an oil change. Don't expect the car to be fast.
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