nnathoo

Hi all
I am ready to sign the paper to get the 1998 MB E320W.
It has 110k, well maintain with MB records.
Clean.

Can you please provide any Feedback on the car please? It is a big jump for me and I worried that I do not get into trouble.

Help....

Thanks a lot

Richard / E320

A Mercedes, as with ANY vehicle with more than 100k miles, should be inspected by a professional mechanic that has extensive knowledge in that make and model. While it has low miles on it for the year model, it's been around the world almost five times. A reasonable price that you initially pay for a vehicle is only the start; what you have to pay to maintain it and repair is a whole other story...

starbrite

Who are you buying it from, private party. dealer, MB dealer ? And, at what price and with what options ?

nnathoo

Thanks. I am buying it from a dealer who sells high end cars.
price: 15k$

starbrite

You still don't mention options...is it a 4Matic? If not, and doesn't come with a strong warranty, you're overpaying IMO @ that mileage.
Look at my sig and here : https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...43#post1849643

uberwgn

Agreed about the price being too high. I've seen 2002 cars trading for not much more....and then there are the cars (again, 2002MY) with reasonable mileage that don't even sell at $19k and languish for months..

shadowgriffen

You are paying a premium for this car, 15K should be in mint condition...

smazur

$15k is too much for this many miles. Unless it's got a gold bar in the trunk, it's around $4-5k overpriced. In Boston, a 1998 with those high miles will sell for around $9,500-$11,000.

Paxfobiscum

That car dealer is making about $3,000 easy profit from your wallet. I have a 1998 E320 wagon (which is generally more expensive than a sedan) with only 70K miles (and all the conceivable options except 4Matic) and my MB dealer wants to buy it from me for only $10K.

You'll get better deals somewhere....

TonyC

bumpin this thread.

i'm looking at a 98 E320W (rwd, not 4matic, which is what i wanted) 130K mi, $7K, being sold by a indy (i've seen the shop) MB shop here in Chicago.

it's midnite blue w/ beige interior, the exact color combo i wanted. the only thing is that the car's been repainted. it was a 1 owner car driven by some fancy schmancy old lady who lived in Gold Coast (a beyond ritzy area of Chicago). clean carfax.

2 items that don't work on the car:
1) rear wiper
2) dash showing windshield wiper fluid empty even tho it's filled

new items (installed by seller/mechanic):
1) shocks all around
2) front ball joints
3) engine mount/tranny mount
4) new pads all around
5) fresh alignment, new tires

i want a beater/hi-mileage wagon to replace my 6 yr old Saab. is this CRAZY? to buy a 130K mi benz? i can afford more, but...

Paxfobiscum

I have a 98 wagon with about 70K miles. Aside from rust building up in some parts, the car has been trouble free for me all these years (I've been lucky compared to many others). However, the rare occasions that I have the need to repair something it has cost me an arm and a leg. Sometimes when I do need to repair the car and MB charges me thousands, I am almost tempted to sell it to them at the trade in value of $10K. Insurance payments alone are $1300 a year. It is my only car and my wife uses it to bring the kids to school, do the grocery and our occasional weekend trip. By no stretch of the imagination can I consider this a beater car. An expensive to maintain car is not a beater car.

You are purchasing a car that has 130k miles in it. Aside from carfax you have no idea what condition the car is in. Collisions and crashes if repaired outside the MB dealer network are not captured by carfax. Why was the car fully repainted? Rust problems? A major collision? A large but expensive fender bender? Why repaint the whole car? If the woman is really fancy schmancy then how did she log in 130k miles? That is a lot of driving for a sophisticated lady don't you think?

The W210 is known to have bad rust problems. I know my car is starting to show it and it rarely even gets wet. I wash it once every two months and my wife avoids driving in rain or snow. If a W210 has been damaged and the panels were not replaced, expect rust to develop.

This is all food for thought for you. I would rather just get another car. That is not a beater car and it will beat you up.

Top Jimmy

Whoa....!

I paid $13,500 for a one owner 1996 E320 with 59,000 miles. That was December 2003. It came from Dallas (i.e. no salt / rust) and had all books and records to boot.

I got a good deal, but an not trying to brag. I just throw that out for consideration. I am thinking the fair market value of my car now with 86,000 is around $7,500.

You may want to check markets outside of your immediate area and counter offer.

Best of luck,
Jimmy

lkchris

To nitpick, an E320W is a sedan and an E320S is a wagon.

"Shocks all around" is a pretty big deal on a wagon, as the rears are actually hydraulic self leveling struts at > $400 each.

bob98e320

More food for thought. I bought my 1998 e320 last year with 55k miles (it is mint) for less than that.......