martz

and was wondering what is the best year to buy of the e320 210 wagons? Is the 4 matic also a wise decision or should just stick to RWD ? TIA

ohlord

you located?Snow belt 4matic is great.If not a lot of snow,more parts to break,wear out,etc.
Find a good 99-01 low mile would be under 100k miles, prices depend on how you shop and how far you are willing to travel.9-11k private party.
Make sure the harmonic balancer recall was done if subject to it.
If you are not an advanced diy'r get it inspected by a pro that works with benz's
Roll down the back windows
inspect for rust,esp the front spring perches.
Find out if the trans has had a fluid change.
Check maint records.
inspect,inspect,inspect.
And as always unless you are the diy type,expect that these cars are not cheap to maintain if you can't do regular maintenance and simple repairs.
A mass air sensor installed at the dealer will cost anywhere from 500-880 bucks
for the same replacement that you can do in ten minutes for between $130-200
They are easy to work on,great drivers,good fuel econ,go like the dickens
have fun on the search.Don't jump at the first one and check here before you hand over the money
ohlord

lkchris

The newer the better.

martz

You mean all the 3.2 V6 motors had the harmonic balancer issues?
What about cracked dashboards around the airbag compartment was that also prevalent on the later models?

MARK CUMMINS

Go With a 2000 On MODEL Update W210 as it has a LOT more features than the Premodel update W210s

Run the Vin at a MB Dealer for History work and Service Info

Have a PPI Done at a GREAT Shop...RUST..Trans..A/C...Stored codes..rattle Cats..as a little spent on a PPI will save you THOUSANDS later


I Would NOT Recommed a 4Matic Unless One REALLY Needs it

lkchris

HB problem was over by 2000, 2001. Probably 99% are already fixed.

TonyC

ugh. i hope OP isn't in Cali. i already lost a cheap '01 to a guy who showed up an hr before me in Pasadena...

this week, i found 2 affordale rwd wagons, one a '98, another '00, both have rain sensors (345) headlight washer, (600) xenon, (612) heated front seats (873) but both are near ~150K mi..

ohlord

00 E320 MBZ Wagon original owner! - $10900 with 100k miles
in cali.
What price were you looking at?
up in the bay area a guy has a salvage title 99 needs a fender and a bumper and only has 80k miles for 4400 bucks.Now thats a deal if you can find a fender and bumper already matching color.
ohlord

dsmith

I'm convinced about letting ohlord find my next car. I still don't know where he pulls these things out of...

ohlord

with 98000 miles silver on black
2001 Mercedes E320 4Matic Wagon - $11000
someplace in california,land of benz deals
ohlord

TonyC

edmunds "private seller" TMV on above '00 is ~$8,700 (w/ sunroof, bose). altho talking down $2K is possible, it could be difficult on a $11k car. IMO, a "good deal" is something near edmunds private seller TMV prices which translates to: 00/01, non-4matic ~100K mi, for ~$9k all-in. after exactly 1 month of searching, i know w210 e320t's are overpriced in Cali. not gonna buy salvage.

the only "deal" i've found is a '01, 135K, $8500 and i had to watch the guy test drive + buy it out right under me.

fwiw, i search cars.com, autotrader, CLsearch (craigslist) 10 cities in Cali 2x a week, ebay for 500mile radius once a week.

ohlord

is just one of the pricing guide lines and if you go by that the value for a clean 100k 00 model is about 9200 forget about options they add no value.So If they want 10900 and a cash offer is made in the mid 9's that is about the current ca. market.I don't know where you get the touring models are up in price,compared to the rest of the country all mercedes are steals in ca. if found and inspected and bought well you are far better off with a mid $9k 2000 then you would ever be with a low ball high mile 01.Be glad you got passed on that one.Keep looking the right one will come along.
ohlord
2000 Mercedes Benz e320 Wagon leather,upgraded multi function steering wheel ,cargo liner
( 88k miles )down by you,bet you could get them into the 9's cash
plus look what can be done if you mod one

martz

Thanks gentleman?

Clarification please regarding 4 matic and RWD.
Isnt the 4 matic a smart AWD, will only engage when neccesary? Or is it an all time AWD?

Also are the shocks on the rear self leveling, Isnt this pricey when it needs to be replaced? Can this be disabled and possibly changed to normal Bilsteins HD shocks?

Edit: on our local craigslist

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/m...566429108.html

ohlord

always on.but on demand based system.heavier,louder and a few mpg less.
self leveling shocks,they last a long time.
there is a bellows block off kit someplace that allows sub of standard shocks.
Don't know how good it is .
Front shocks are pricey also on the 4matic.
With the 4matic you gotta pay to play.
Self leveling on the standard rwd wagon,also

martz

Always had the impression that AWD would kick in only when slippage is notice- hence the "MATIC" designation and always thought that the vehicle is generally a RWD most of the time. Thank you for the Clarification .

ohlord

demand based like you put it.You just can't shut it off,that is what I mean by full time,the rear wheels are driven and balanced to a ratio with the front wheels until demand calls for the ratio to change.
so I guess you could call it sort of a part time full time

the best technical description i could find
The 4Matic uses a single speed double planetary gear system that allocates the power split 65/35 percent between the rear and the front differential during normal driving to give the car a more traditional Mercedes rear wheel drive feel. But through the use of a sophisticated traction control system and not limited slip differentials, when wheel slippage occurs braking is applied to the offending wheel, making it the wheel with the greatest resistance, so power is automatically and naturally transferred to the wheel with the least resistance which happens to be the wheel with the most traction.

MARK CUMMINS

When you want to remove the rear self level..One must change

The Power steering pump/lines/hoses/fluid tank..as the new P/S Pump has the tank ON The Pump..where the estate has a remote tank ..then change out the rear shocks..The rear springs remain the same
It can be done for less than TWO New rear shocks and acc assy ..



I have done it a couple of times on W210 estates

martz

Oh great, that's what I needed to confirm. My next quandry now is it a reliable/ bulletproof system? I figure with proper maintenance(fluid changes)
it should hold up nicely with no major issues to worry about. Agree?

martz

thanks- good to know.

Less than the price of 2 new shocks, but how may hours did it take you to do Mark?

MARK CUMMINS

The complete job can be done in four hours