1997/1998 E Class Problems?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 207
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From: CA
2014 E350, 2008 C300 Sport
1997/1998 E Class Problems?
I have a friend looking into buying a used E class. Seems a 97/98 might be in his price range. Do any owners have complaints about this model? I can only comment on the 2000+ and have little to complain about. Just wondering if this is true of the older models. I know there are cosmetic changes to the body styling. But other than that, everything else should be the same, right?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,583
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
If he can afford it get the 98 E320 or E430. The 1997 E320 and E430 have the older engine. The 1997 E320 is a straight 6 and the 98 E320 is the currant V6 engine. The 98+ engines are the modular ones with:
3 valve per cylinder
2 spark plugs per cylinger
100k miles tuneups.
Oil changes 10-12k miles
The 97 engines need tuning every 30k miles and oil every 3-5k miles.
The 98 also have the current infared 'Smart' key.
3 valve per cylinder
2 spark plugs per cylinger
100k miles tuneups.
Oil changes 10-12k miles
The 97 engines need tuning every 30k miles and oil every 3-5k miles.
The 98 also have the current infared 'Smart' key.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 879
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From: Toronto
SLK 350 '05
get the 430 over the 320. the 320 doesn't have enough steam for such a vehicle imo. its a great car, everything is awesome, but like most mercedes models, the electronics are only mediocre. stereo isn't really up to par, the air con is marginally OK, and for some(especially females), the steering is heavy. another complaint is the cheap plastic.
other than the interior, the car is GREAT! i love it! great to drive on the highway, very stable and handles very nicely. the V8 is definitely worth the extra money.
oh yea..another thing is that the smart key is only the 1st version. so the key is rather big and bulky compared to newer ones and doesn't reach as far a distance.
tell your friend to get the car if its possible. highly recommended.
other than the interior, the car is GREAT! i love it! great to drive on the highway, very stable and handles very nicely. the V8 is definitely worth the extra money.
oh yea..another thing is that the smart key is only the 1st version. so the key is rather big and bulky compared to newer ones and doesn't reach as far a distance.
tell your friend to get the car if its possible. highly recommended.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: South Central Oregon
'98 E320
Purchased a '98 E320 (Starmark) last April. Six months and 12k miles later, I'm a true believer. In retrospect, I sometimes wish it were a V8, but not often. It's great on the flat and in the mountains. Contrary to previous opinion, the air, music, steering, and interior are fine ...... better air, stereo, & interior finish than wife's '01 CL-S. Better road feel than son's '00 Z3. I continue to catch a slight rush every time I slide behind the wheel ...... by me, tell your friend to just do it.
PS Only deficiency is the absence of an MB shop manual for subject car. Arrrg!
PS Only deficiency is the absence of an MB shop manual for subject car. Arrrg!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 879
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From: Toronto
SLK 350 '05
heehee...mharmes...maybe i just sweat too much..and a little deaf in the ear...and not as strong as you...quite fat, but no muscle..lol.
but maybe the sterio is good..compared to others int he mb line up..but it doesn't hold a candle to the stock system int he new E.
oh yea..forgot to mention one more thing, the lights tend to go out a lot. so you need to buy light bulbs more often for this car compared to a japanese one.
but maybe the sterio is good..compared to others int he mb line up..but it doesn't hold a candle to the stock system int he new E.
oh yea..forgot to mention one more thing, the lights tend to go out a lot. so you need to buy light bulbs more often for this car compared to a japanese one.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 708
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From: Kansas
96 E 320 and 87 560 SL
I went from a Diamante to a 96 E320 and I couldn't be happier with the MB. True, mine has the older straight 6 but this car still has plenty of pep and has gone an honest 135mph. Thats not too bad for a fairly heavy four door sedan with a straight six. I love the slightly heavy feel of the steering. It enhances the solid feel of the car and only takes a short while to get used to. When I drive another car with lighter steering like my wifes explorer it feels too light and flimsy. Tell him to go for it and buy as much car as he can. he is unlikely to be disappointed.
