jdmfiend

I've been shopping for a while now and I've been pounded with people saying how unreliable mercedes were after 97. I've driven a few and they seem fine. what should I look out for? any specific yrs they were lemons/recalled? any cool features? basically I wanna stand clear of any headaches. if all fails ill just pick up another w124 :p

btw, my budget is $15k.

Franasia

Try to get one from a forum member with all the bugs cleared.

Cheers

black320

I've heard that u go with the new engine is better 98 & above if u are going for 320's

BostonBenzMan

If you like power - the later model (post 2000) V8's are the way to go. They're not bad on gas over the E320, and give you good thrust with a sweet engine note. I've had (2) 2000 E430's. One rear wheel drive and my current one with the 4 matic. I live in the snow belt - so the 4 matic option is a must.

In your budget, you can forget about an E55. I'm sorry.

I agree with Franasia. Look for a clean well serviced car. Look for the service records. This work will save you headaches and lots of $$'s down the road.

As far as cool features. Look for a car with some toys, these cars can come equiped with everything and anything. I have the Nav, Heated Seats, Xenon Lights, CD Changer, Power Rear Shade, etc. with the 4-Matic. The more toys, the rarer they are, the more you will enjoy it and the better the resale value.

Good luck on your search.

ohlord

Very Clean 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 Glossy Black - $12500 AZ.

Great Condition 2001 MB E320 white, automatic, all leather, 70K miles El Paso tx.

2000 Mercedes E320 - $10500 Dallas

Some examples
They are no more prone to problems than other makes,just different issues.Make sure the harmonic balancer recall work was done,that and the spring perches inspected for rust.Other issues,i.e. mafs,window regulators etc. happen but what car is free of defects.Lots of happy owners,best rice they have ever had etc.,you can mod it to your hearts desire,look great,good mpg,run like the dickens..............
Easy to work on,if you are a diy'r,the only caveat I have for anyone thinking of getting into the benz is be prepared to do your own maint. or have deep pockets and don't whine when the dealer asks you to bend over..

1999-2001 low 9000-low12000 for a low mile example 80-100k miles
Parts are not exp if you use the online suppliers that get mentioned frequently here.
And never take it into a shop or diy until you first check the forum on the best way to do the jo or fix the issue,it can save you time and money.
JMTC

ohlord
"GOT CODES?"
P.S. I'm partial to the wagon,like the 7 seat and the lines,so dont forget to look at them.some guy has a very low mile,salvage title silver wagon for sale in that neck of the woods for 7G,need some paintless ding removal,but you could slam it ,tint it,wheel and tire it,and drive it with no worries,cheap.

As to resale value,there is none.......don't believe the guys that paid to much because they bought or invested in a lot of mods or options,they have no affect on resale value,if you know how to shop and deal.I have seen cars sold with their pride and joy Brabus wheels bought for 6 grand and the car sells for the same or less then the 16 inch oem.

buy private party,inspect,pay cash,inspect!!!!!!!!!!!

And for 15G budget you can buy a mighty nice AMG55,low miles,if that is what you are looking for,I would steer clear tho,some people that get them,drive them hard,abuse them,and the power,things break ya know?
not all of them,but some drivers.

E-Klasse

Just get a 99 E55 AMG or get a 2001 or 2002 E320 or E430 with the more updated style for around what you want to spend.

dsmith

just curious, but where are all of these $15k E55? i did a nationwide autotrader search and found 2 cars. 75k miles and 104k miles.

ohlord

1999 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG 101k $14950

Beautiful 1999 E55 AMG Mercedes-Benz 69k wants 18 take a bet he'd take 15 cash?

The market is about 15k for a real nice 99,you could pick up a cherry 99-00 E320 for way less,5-6k less ,mod it to your hearts content ,still turn heads,enjoy the ride,get decent mpg,and when it's time to sell, put on the old wheels,etc. sell the car,sell the wheels and other add ons,and recoup some of your dime.
ohlord

ReZzZ320

ohlord where do u get those E55 classifieds coz I can't find any in craigslist at all

ohlord

crazedlist.org wrote a program that wraps itself around craigslist search.Lets you search the whole country,which is how I found my great 1999 wagon.Or you can just search states cities or areas of the country.Use mozilla firefox browser,it's configured, for that,and if you cant see the search results do the value set instructions at the top of the search page.enter area ,what you are looking for i.e. e55 amg or widen the search and search mercedes or benz etc. try a few and you will get all the results,cuz sometimes people don't list it correctly.then you enter the categoryfield for sale/ wanted then the next field for cars and trucks and hit search.Bingo!dream machines out the yahoo...
you can even spec owner only,the only way to fly.
ohlord

ReZzZ320

thanks for the tip really useful altho one thing that also concerns me is that some cars have a sort of thing in their radiators to adapt the car to the local climate you think that would be something serious to look out considering that I have to bring it here where the weather is generally hot or should I jus stick to cars from similar climates??

xlr8tin

If you could afford $17K you could buy mine. It's an 2000 E55 with 19" wheels and brand new tires. I also have the stock 18" wheels. This car has been very reliable, the miles are about 105K. 17K is with the 19" wheels which I'd rather include, but I might swing $16K. E55's are unbelieveable...

ohlord

will send temp values, it just sends the value to the ecu and that sets the ignition ,fuel curves,etc.
ohlord

xlr8tin

Wow, I see a few of you are looking for W210 E55...well you all are in luck...I'm selling mine. It is in my sig. I have way more pics. And take great care of this beast.

Don't settle for a 320 or 430...I'm asking 17K..

ReZzZ320

nice offer but considering the prices of E55s right now I might just wait until they reach to the 10-15K bracket so tht way it won't be so expensive once I ship them back here

xlr8tin

But do you really want them with more miles? This price is with the wheels anyhow.

Over here the value on Kelly Blue Book is about $17500 for fair condition.

ReZzZ320

the mileage isn't a big deal to me besides when I bought my E320 it had 130K on it and now it has 162K and only thing done was voltage regulator, new battery, brake pads, 71 degree thermostat and a broken window regulator and the regular oil and spark plug service so in total I would have spent around $350 in terms of service (could be more but I can't calculate the whole thing right now)

xlr8tin

Not bad. I've recently had most of those things done. I love these cars (Mercedes) I'm looking for something newer now, and I need to before I move next month.

ReZzZ320

thanks BTW had the car for more than a year now and loving it.

BTW how bout u PM me some pics of the car with interior shots??

xlr8tin

Ok, no problem. I will have to wait till tomorrow here since it is dark. Actually do you have an e-mail address, if you can PM me that. It would be easierto send the pics so I don't have to resize them. There is something wrong with my Image hardware at the moment.

Anything specific you want taken?

ReZzZ320

my email is in my user profile (the same MSN email as well)

any good shots of the exterior and interior as well

xlr8tin

Sure you got it. I have the stock wheels on it right now. So you'll get some with those on as well. I do have some with the 19's also.

ReZzZ320

so none of that salt in radiator to avoid freezing engine BS???

xlr8tin

I sent some pics to your e-mail

ohlord

forget blue book,it is the dealers way of making you think you got a good deal when they let you try to work down the artificially high price kbb sets .Lets you be the big hero when you talk them down Half a G.Don't fall for it from the dealer and don't fall prey to it from private party.Always go in with the real market number and spin them in the wind,these cars are out there,the market reflects that every month they go down in value as more of the new year models get pushed(notice all the benz commercials lately?)
You as a buyer are in the drivers seat,set the price,inspect first and be prepared to walk,another one with lower miles, better cared, for is someplace waiting for you.

"SPOKEN"

P.S. Rezz no worries about premium fuel for you,right? gas is what about?.50 cent a gallon?