steve420

hi. im about to buy my first car. its a '97 black e420. i drove it on labor day and fell in love with it. i always was a fan of big mercedes' and now i just cant stop thinking about it. i was just wondering what the first things i should get for it. its already got window tint and its black so as far as apperance, except wheels of coarse, im good there. and the v-8 is very responsive so im good for power. but what do you guys all do with your cars? and is there anything that i should get to prevent future problems? i dont know anything about these cars, i dont know if there reliable or not, should i get like a tune up or something right away?
thanks.

ohlord

things,Have you bought it yet?if not cool down..............how much?from who?how many miles?Aware or the issues 420 v.s. 430 or as a easier on the pocket alternative option the E320.Run the above replies past us,no one will dissuade you from buying the new love of your life if you are jumping blindly,however if you coool your jets we may be able to provide you with the info you need to make a wise choice.
ohlord
"GOT CODES?"
As to the other questions,get back to us with the above answers and we will provide you with the other info,sort of like ransom!!!!!!!!!

FlatlineEF9

First two mods should be drop and rims. Our cars look fantastic with that combo. If you want to do more, if you check the picture area you will get more ideas. The 420 is okay stock, but cleanly modded will make you love it even more.

steve420

no i didn't get it yet. i go to the bank for a loan tomorrow. they want 7500 for it and its in good condition, i think its got like 150,000 miles on it tho. i did the blue book think and it came up as a pretty good deal. you cant realy find any e430's or any mercedes really around here. so i thought it was pretty rare to see this one, thats why im jumping on it so quick. money isn't a problem for me. im still in high school with no bills to pay and a full time job. i can afford to get w/e it needs. i just dont know what.

Musikmann

I don't think 150,000 miles is unreasonable for a 10 year old car, and the price seems fair. Before I'd buy it I would want to see the service history, or at least meet the previous owner to get some more information. For example: is it is a one-owner that seems to have been pampered and garaged vs. something sitting on Joe's Used Cars lot that "Joe" bought at some auction with an unknown history? Regardless of the price, I think the 2nd scenario is risky. Another thing is, be prepared to spend some more money on maintenance because it's going to need some work soon. Good Luck!

steve420

ya, i went and test drove it. it seams very healthy. v-8 is very responsive and the ride quality is awesome. its a private seller and he does baby it. its garage kept with mostly highway miles.

ohlord

1997 Mercedes E420---Loaded, beautiful dark blue sedan with gray leather interior. This car has 135,000 miles, but is in excellent condition! Mercedes dealer maintained. Runs and drives perfect. A lot of car for only $7995 Call 715-754-5898
Fewer miles,might be worth a look,also if you wait and shop,after you have the loan,you can buy with the power of cash,which means you can deal down to a better price.
Chicago 113000 miles mint leather heated seats E320 $7900
1997 E 420 Mercedes Benz - $9500 (Algonquin 100000miles black/opal
1997 MERCEDES BENZ E 420 SPORT AMG 83K MILES - $8900 (NW SUBURBS)
ohlord

E420SportGT

Wisconsin..means it snows a lot.....I'd check the spring perch on both sides of the front of the car to see if there's any rust..if there is, walk away.

ohlord

in order to check the perches you need to peel off the mastic,a casual look wont do.And another caveat,you are young,first car ,not a lot of money,beware!Many adults lacking the diy skills to do the maint. on the mercedes are takin to the cleaners every time they go to the shop,so be warned,either learn to do your own maint. and repairs or be prepared to work for your car.A loan pmt +maint +repairs=? I will let you decide the amount,they are great cars,I would look for a later model,fewer miles by far,pay a little more,and learn to work on it.Just thought I would warn you of the pit falls,hate to see you get in over your head.
ohlord
"GOT CODES?"

steve420

well it seamed perfect when i drove it. at least a lot better than my other car. well you guys are the experts, thats why i got this account. damn, i really had my heart set on this car too. i go for the loan today and im supposed to pick it up tomorrow. i don't think im gunna call him up last second and just say forget it. hes been really nice, he even took off the sign so nobody else looks at it. i think its too late guys. now i wish i woulda got this account sooner.
well, what do i have to do to it then? to get it like new, and how much will it cost?

ohlord

that price in the rust belt it should be like new,except for the miles.So to back out gently if you want to ,say you had problems with the loan officer,your age or something(credit history)any adult will understand!!!!!
Then you take the money,or better yet leave the check book at home and go on the hunt for a lower mile later year 430 or 320,drive both,the 320 has all the power any kid of mine would need,their are more of them,and more with fewer miles as a result.The ones I found above were all on crazedlist.org which lets you search all of craigslist at one time or just the areas you select,works best in mozilla,and if you cant see the cars listed when you do the search you need to follow the easy directions at the top of the page.
Let us know what you are going to do.............We all were young once and could have used advice,if we were willing to ask for it,you are humbling us.
ohlord
"GOT MONEY?"

steve420

hey guys. i called that guy with the high mileage 420 and i told him to give me more time to think about it. i said i'll call him this weekend...
heres another 420 around were i live, what do you think?

http://autos.yahoo.com/usedcars/deta...iles-229646143

ohlord

yikes for 16g i will buy a benz with 6 less years and drive it to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pass........keep looking on crazedlist.org wait till you find a good deal,wait.
ohlord
"GOT PATIENCE?"

Musikmann

That's good to hear. As some others have noted, you'd better check the spring perches; otherwise, it is sounding better and better.

Musikmann

That green special edition looks nice but as ohlord just wrote, too pricey. If you like it that well and are close to Madison it might be worth a look in person. I'll bet that guy will cut you a good deal because his car is simply not worth what he's asking for it.

steve420

ya i did the kelly blue book thing on it and it came up as a private party value as 12,000 dollars. im the noob, you guys are the experts, how does that sound?

ohlord

is BS ,not much better then NADA,which is the book dealers use to price the cars they sell.price high and then make you feel you got a good deal when they knock down the price for your trade or just because they are (nice guys).Edmunds.com is more real world,and then you deal down from that.For instance 1997 black E420 clean condition,$7700 thats with 100000miles. 2000 E430 a much better model 100000miles $12000,and you deal down from there with cash. A 99 E320 80k miles $10000
shop around ,wait,and slow down.The right car at the right price will show up,don't let it happen after you make the leap and buy a headache at to great a price.
ohlord
"GOT CODES?"

steve420

hey guys sorry for the wait. well, after about a week of thinking it over, i decided not to buy that e420. i geuss the negatives out weighed the positives. soooo, i went on google just browsing around for a new ride. and i came across this. before i get my hopes up like last time, tell me if you like it.

http://autos.yahoo.com/usedcars/deta...ttbz0mYW1wOw--

this might also help:

http://autos.yahoo.com/kbb/report.ht...ubmit=Continue

yay or nay?

ohlord

by about $1500-1800 ,never ever use kbb or nada as your price guide!NEVER..
1999 mercedes E430 AMG - $8000 100000 MILES MINT THIS IS MORE LIKE IT
CHI CRAIGSLIST
1998 Mercedes E320 - $9300 -still pricey but he could be talked down- west chi craigslist
1999 E430 89000miles probably take 10k cash offer,new tires ,brakes,mint cond,chi craigslist
2000 Mercedes Benz E 320 with Navigation - $10500 new tires and brakes,might take less,if you play your cards right.and by that I mean don't be to giddy with the car,just be calm and let them know you can find other deals.
must it be a 420?must it be a dealer car?the 420 is the one year model,you would be happier with a later year,E320 low miles,better mpg,cheaper to maintain,and plenty quick enough for any 17 year old.

"GOT CODES?"

steve420

wow! thank god i asked. i really thought that was a deal. well do you think that the e430 amg or whatever sounds like something you would consider?

ohlord

where you live...
If it was in your area it might be worth a look at if it's not gone already.Me ?I would look,I just edited the reply and listed a 2000 with nav.dont know how many miles but it looks clean.Once again,you are 17-18 they are great cars,Really look at the 320's usually better condition,less wear and tear on them since you dont get on them as often as the owners of the v8's do.
You really need to drive a nice 320,like one listed above,put your head on straight and calmly consider all the options.Good luck with the search.

ohlord

getting your hopes up,that's okay,just temper it with good judgment.You must be a bright kid to not have jumped at that other one,smart move! so many of the members on the benz forums don't use their heads and do the proper research on the car that catches their eye and they pay way to much and end up regretting it .

Bossman123

im still in high school with no bills to pay and a full time job. i can afford to get w/e it needs. i just dont know

Don't buy a high mileage MB while you in HS with a fulltime job UNLESS mom and dad are gonna help you with the maintenance. It is a very expensive car to maintain for a HS student let alone a 32 year old EDI programmer.