I have the opportunity to buy a 1997 E320. Black with Black interior, all options, in showroom condition with 108,000 miles. New tires, New timing chain, and no rust for 10,000.
Is this a good deal?
Would be my first MB!

 

Seems about right for retail/dealer price. Here in Houston, TX, they are advertised for less than 10K if E320, and less than 14K usually for E420.

For 10K, you robably can go for 98 that has the smartkey.

 

New timing chain??? Why?? This usually lasts the life of the engine. What happened here??

 

if its that cheap, there is probly something wrong with it! you do not want to mess with a mercedes that has been ragged out. as long as it was properly mantained it would be a good car, if not i wouldn't take it if you gave it to me. the 97 motor is a much better motor, in 98 they switched to a more "cost friendly" V6

 

The car is owned by a family freind. The timing chain was a replaced because the dealership said it was time to be replaced. All factory recomendations were followed said the owner.

 

Do not believe that the factory suggests replacement of the timing chain before overhaul. As for the previous poster's statement that the straight 6 is a better motor than the current V6, I would ask "in what way??" The new V6 is lighter, more modern, more efficient and is more easilly adapted to the more modern body styles. It has also proven very reliable with many of them well up into the 200-300K miles. It also does not have the head gasket problem that plagues the straight 6.

 

Whats the head gasket problem that plagues the straight 6.

 

poster? you are only mad because you have the V6. lol

i drove a '97 E320 for 50k miles and never had blew a head gasket. and believe me i drove it hard. true it does fit in the engine compartment better, that is why they later changed the front end in 2000. a strait 6 will out last a V6, end of story. the only reason mercedes switched to a V6 is because alot of the parts where interchangable with the V8 model.

 

I have a striaght 6 on my 96 and it is just fine.
180,000 miles on it now with the original timing chain too.