ProV1

If reliability was my primary concern, which car would be a more logical choice? I drove the E320 and the power was more than adequate for my needs. The E420 has heated seats which was very nice however, and also has new brakes, spark plugs & wires, and windshield.

Musikmann

Personally, I would buy the older E320 with the fewer miles.

I started out with a '98 E430 with 117k miles (3rd owner) and it cost me a lot of money to get it up to par. I now know that was money foolishly spent.

For what it's worth, I had almost the same choice as you do now. The same dealer had a '96 E320 w/70k and the '98 E430 (they were even the same color with similar options).

When I got back down there the next day with a deposit, another guy had just bought the E320, so I bought what I did.

Good Luck.
M

JimPurdy

I second the E320 choice. I too think that things start to go wrong with cars that have higher mileage.

ProV1

The E320 is out of the question now, as it's had 3 owners and also an accident (carfax).

97 E420 is a 1 owner car, with every maintenance record. There's a big stack, it has 16 service records on carfax alone.

Right now the car needs a new remote sensor, and has a small rust spot near trunk key hole. Otherwise the car looks/drives good. Owner states the brakes, windshield, & tires were replaced in 2004. New plugs & wires in 2006.

I am disappointed to hear that a MB has tons of problems and will start to implode after 100k miles. I thought a German-built MB E420 can last 200k+ miles if maintained. But it seems like a MB needs a LOT more than basic maintenance to keep it running.

no_clue

I really dont' think MB has reliability problem, they are simply wear and tears. (after all, you are looking for 10 year old cars)

For US$8000~9000 top, tell me what other choices are out there besides 96-97 E-class?

ZombieW210

Prov, the E420 will last you up to 200k miles with proper maintance the M119 DOHC 4.2 motor is proven motor. Rust, a problem on certain W210 will is a concern. Remember though that your buying a car that's 10+ years old so expect certain things to break down.

ccmbduong

Make sure that you check out the spring perches for W-210 during those years... Lots of problems in this category. In addition, if you know how to work on your MB it would help, otherwise maintenance is very expensive. I just replaced a water pump on my '96 E320 (70K) for $770 (part + labor)... I change oil myself, and when the time comes I will try to change spark plugs myself... Other than that, the car is OK, but I still think that it's not as reliable as Lexus.. Beside, MB should have a recall of spring perch problem, this is a real safety issue and I am VERY disappointed that MB is playing with our lives... Honesly, I gave MB a chance, after the spring perch problem and knowing that MB did not have a recall on this safety issue, I will NOT give MB another chance...

ZombieW210

Ccmbduong, I definately sympathize with you on the spring perches issue just simply very unfortunate that it happened to you. Absolutely such a shame on MB for not doing a recall on it.

Musikmann

OK, then DO NOT buy an MB that has been in an accident.

Based on your additional info, the E420 sounds like a better vehicle.

YES, a properly maintained MB WILL last up to 200k+ miles, but as with any auto, they need periodic maintenance. It sounds like the 1-owner E420 has had that. I therefore change my answer to your question.

Lastly, DO NOT expect any used MB to cost you nothing for 1000s of miles. If that is what you are looking for, buy a Toyota or a Honda, OR do what I have recommended on some other threads here:

1) Buy a CPO (certified pre-owned) Mercedes with 50,000 miles or less.

2) You will get attractive financing, if you want/need that, and 12 months/100,000 miles of a genuine MB extended warranty.

3) You can buy addtional months if you choose to do so (I bought another 12 months $1845) on my CPO E320.

In my humble opnion, to own and to drive an MB is a pleasurable experience, but only if you are willing to accept that these cars are NOT the least expensive mode of transportation available to us.

M

smazur

Be very wary of the rust on the trunk. You will need to take care of that right away or it will spread and start to work it's way around the key button, sensor, down to the lip, etxc. It's like cancer, and it's wrecking my 97 E320 right now.

While we're on the topic of rust, be sure to have the car inspected for rust all the way around. If it's started on the trunk, it's probably present under the rear tire wells and at the bottoms of the doors and various other places. Search the forum for lots and lots of topics related to W210 rust.

Have the spring perches inspected for rust by an MB dealer. Mine rusted out and fell off the car just last week.

ProV1

great tip, thank you! i'm beginning to think that perhaps it'd be better to spend more and get a newer MB w/ extended warranty. I could spend as much as the cost of the vehicle in repairs & maintenance on an older MB..

Richard / E320

The E-Class has been around for so long, it should be easy to find others that are as nice, or even nicer. I would always go for the vehicle with the least of miles, as long as the vehicles you are looking at are similar overall. But there are alot of things to consider: mileage, bodywork and paint condition, previous accidents, the overall mechanical condition, major repairs that have already been done, condition of leather and dash, etc., etc., etc.

From a mileage standpoint, every 25k represents driving around the world one time.

Musikmann

RIGHT! Another point to consider, and I am paraphrasing another member on here: The most expensive car you can buy is a "cheap" Mercedes.

You didn't say what the E420 was selling for (and I'm not asking), but believe me, I've been there and done that. My '98 'E430 was $12,900 and within a year, I had about $15,000 in it. After 1 year, when I traded for my current CPO E320 (priced at $24,900) - I only got $8,400 as a trade-in.

I know, I know guys, I could have probably sold it outright for more, but didn't want to go to that much trouble. However, I think it is fair to say, that I would have taken a bath one way or the other.

Please remember too: There is no such thing as a free lunch!

Again, good luck on getting your first MB!

Musikmann

Absolutely - several good points made here!

As to the mileage, an MB salesman told me to consider the cost of driving a Mercedes at about .65 cents per mile. Therefore, for every 1000 miles on a used one, you can deduct $650 from what the car sold for new.

Then start deducting bodywork, paint condition, previous accidents, et cetera (DO NOT buying a Benz that has been in an accident or has had any of the original body panels repainted - OR one that has cracks in the dashboard or any rust). These are only a few obvious things that tell you how well, or poorly, a car has been taken care of.

W210 E-Class ran from 1996 to 2002 (not that you have to buy a W210) and I know that there are hundreds for sale (I've been looking for quite a while) if you are willing to search all over the USA. Plus, I think you will discover that there are quite a few that are in "almost-new" condition. In my opinion, those are what you want to spend your hard-earned money on.

amir_versace

One of the weakness of the w210s is the transmutation, make sure you check for any kicks while you driving, especially on the lower gears, the other thing would be checking all the electronic options, they could end up costing you alot of money, if the car is clean then thats good, then you'll have less hassle. but be sure to purchase the power train warranty for 2,3 years
good luck!

dsmith

In summary, if the car is perfect now, then you should be good for a few 1000 miles!

Get a CPO warranty car for about $20k. That way you can think of it as financing your repairs in the form of depreciation!

oh yea, and what's wrong with your E55?

tirona

guys, this thread is way too old. prov1x probably has sold that car by now and bought another one.

Z06EATER

A 97 E 420 Car Is In Excellent Shape Drives Like A Dream Milage...113,785 Guys..i've Had This Car Since.25,000 And Let Me Tell You, I Have Not Had Any Probelems Wit This Car...all I Needed Was New Spark Plug Wires.. Thats It..regular Maintainence Of Course, U Baby The Car, It Will Baby U, You Treat It Like *****, Prepare To Dig Deep!

frlac40

hello I like the MB Salesman account with the every 1000 miles on a used car at .65 cents per miles deduct to the new car price. I will remember that next times I am in the market for a used car. Thanks

austinholloman

So if a w210 3.2 for sale has 100k miles on it... They owe me money?! Sweet deal!!!

BordeauxW210

Holy old thread batman!