new guy
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Joined: Mar 2007
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new guy
my name is rj, i am new here. i am looking to learn about and probably purchase a new (used) car soon. i currently have a 03 vw gti 1.8t w/ about 41,XXX miles (nicely modded to about 25psi of boost) but with a 2nd little one on his way and a new job about 80 miles each way, i need somthing roomier, smoother, somthing that can take the mileage and better gas mileage.
i am lookin at 96-99 e300's. i saw the power difference between the 96/97 model and 98/99 model, why is that? just a new motor design?
besides that, what should i look for when checkin these cars out to buy? what mileage should i go for? what "should" the asking prices be? at what point do they generally need a rebuild? how much is the average rebuild? and so on...
i have a local dealer but all of the mercedes diesels he has seem way to over priced for the mileage.
thanks for your help in advance!
i am lookin at 96-99 e300's. i saw the power difference between the 96/97 model and 98/99 model, why is that? just a new motor design?
besides that, what should i look for when checkin these cars out to buy? what mileage should i go for? what "should" the asking prices be? at what point do they generally need a rebuild? how much is the average rebuild? and so on...
i have a local dealer but all of the mercedes diesels he has seem way to over priced for the mileage.
thanks for your help in advance!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 563
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From: California
1998 E320
Hello RJ, and welcome to the Mbworld forums.
There is a significant power difference between the 96/97 models and the 98+ models because of the engine change. The 96/97 models are an inline 6, and the 98+ is a V6. The reasons for the change was the want for a smoother running engine as V engines are slightly smoother than inline.
*EDIT* I just realized you were talking about diesels, the above is for normal engines.
Mercedes last a long time, so you should be fine with even a high mileage diesels. I don't know much about diesels, so I cannot give you any more information on them. This link will tell you a breif history including year to year changes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W210
There is a significant power difference between the 96/97 models and the 98+ models because of the engine change. The 96/97 models are an inline 6, and the 98+ is a V6. The reasons for the change was the want for a smoother running engine as V engines are slightly smoother than inline.
*EDIT* I just realized you were talking about diesels, the above is for normal engines.
Mercedes last a long time, so you should be fine with even a high mileage diesels. I don't know much about diesels, so I cannot give you any more information on them. This link will tell you a breif history including year to year changes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W210
Last edited by OldNate; Mar 20, 2007 at 10:35 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
besides that, what should i look for when checkin these cars out to buy? what mileage should i go for? what "should" the asking prices be? at what point do they generally need a rebuild? how much is the average rebuild? and so on...
i have a local dealer but all of the mercedes diesels he has seem way to over priced for the mileage.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12
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i will be sure to look into the gas e320 before i make any purchase. i am just a huge fan of the diesel. i did have a 82 300td for a little a while back and loved it, just was at the point of needing too many repairs for what it was worth to me so i sold it and got my VW. either way, i will def look at all my e-class options before buying..
as far as the diesels go... for what year, what mileage, what price? (assuming pretty good condition)
ex. 97 e300 sedan w/ 110000 miles. price? $15000? more? less? etc.
thanks
as far as the diesels go... for what year, what mileage, what price? (assuming pretty good condition)
ex. 97 e300 sedan w/ 110000 miles. price? $15000? more? less? etc.
thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, SC
E300
i will be sure to look into the gas e320 before i make any purchase. i am just a huge fan of the diesel. i did have a 82 300td for a little a while back and loved it, just was at the point of needing too many repairs for what it was worth to me so i sold it and got my VW. either way, i will def look at all my e-class options before buying..
as far as the diesels go... for what year, what mileage, what price? (assuming pretty good condition)
ex. 97 e300 sedan w/ 110000 miles. price? $15000? more? less? etc.
thanks
as far as the diesels go... for what year, what mileage, what price? (assuming pretty good condition)
ex. 97 e300 sedan w/ 110000 miles. price? $15000? more? less? etc.
thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
I can't add much other than to say a M-B diesel makes a lot of sense for your 160 miles/day commute. I'd buy as new a one as you can find but would not worry very much about the miles on it. You'll hear true stories about people with 500,000 miles on models not much older than your "soon to be".
I'd also find out all the options that were available in the late 1990 models, and decide which of those you'd like to have. That's another way of eliminating a few cars from your list. eBay is an excellent source for sales literature, particularly cars from the previous decade.
Good Luck and welcome to the forum!
I'd also find out all the options that were available in the late 1990 models, and decide which of those you'd like to have. That's another way of eliminating a few cars from your list. eBay is an excellent source for sales literature, particularly cars from the previous decade.
Good Luck and welcome to the forum!
Last edited by Musikmann; Mar 21, 2007 at 09:30 AM. Reason: spelling error
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thank you guys very much for your info. i thought that 15000 was kinda alot and that is what a local private dealer that "specializes" in mercedes is selling one for.
i would really like to get into a 98/99 to get the turbo.
options are really a big deal to me, either way its going to have more then what my current car has, haha.
i plan on looking into ebay, maybe even find a car there, the prices seems pretty reasonable. i would just be very nervous doing that, i dont know if i could buy a car without driving it first.
if anyone knows of places to look/go to for a car like this in the south jersey area... please let me know.
thanks again guys.
i would really like to get into a 98/99 to get the turbo.
options are really a big deal to me, either way its going to have more then what my current car has, haha.
i plan on looking into ebay, maybe even find a car there, the prices seems pretty reasonable. i would just be very nervous doing that, i dont know if i could buy a car without driving it first.
if anyone knows of places to look/go to for a car like this in the south jersey area... please let me know.
thanks again guys.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, SC
E300
thank you guys very much for your info. i thought that 15000 was kinda alot and that is what a local private dealer that "specializes" in mercedes is selling one for.
i would really like to get into a 98/99 to get the turbo.
options are really a big deal to me, either way its going to have more then what my current car has, haha.
i plan on looking into ebay, maybe even find a car there, the prices seems pretty reasonable. i would just be very nervous doing that, i dont know if i could buy a car without driving it first.
if anyone knows of places to look/go to for a car like this in the south jersey area... please let me know.
thanks again guys.
i would really like to get into a 98/99 to get the turbo.
options are really a big deal to me, either way its going to have more then what my current car has, haha.
i plan on looking into ebay, maybe even find a car there, the prices seems pretty reasonable. i would just be very nervous doing that, i dont know if i could buy a car without driving it first.
if anyone knows of places to look/go to for a car like this in the south jersey area... please let me know.
thanks again guys.
Make sure that when you get one you're ready to do some wrenching if need be. Fuel leaks are the most common issue with the OM606. Not hard, mostly time consuming
Thread Starter
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also, check out www.ditmire.com if you have a few minutes.. this is the private local guy near me... he doesnt have much as far as diesels go for now (inless its like 1980-85)... but just see if anything looks good. thank way i know how to judge lookin at others.
invantory #'s i looked at so far...
diesels
4520
4454
4463
gas
4439
thanks
invantory #'s i looked at so far...
diesels
4520
4454
4463
gas
4439
thanks
Last edited by turbovdub; Mar 21, 2007 at 11:11 AM. Reason: add on
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, SC
E300
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
eBay Motors
I have a neighbor who bought his CLK55 AMG on eBay and he loves it, but I don't know exactly how the car sales work. Like you, I'd be hesitatnt to buy a several thousand dollar M-B on there. It looks like if you win a bid, there must be some way for you to go to where it is and look it over before handing over your money. That's the ONLY way I'd buy one on there.
You're very welcome.
Last edited by Musikmann; Mar 21, 2007 at 01:13 PM. Reason: spelling error
