E320 4Matic Wagon - which year to buy?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
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From: Stratford, CT
2001 E320 4matic sedan
E320 4Matic Wagon - which year to buy?
I am looking for a Mercedes E320 4Matic station wagon. Does it matter which year I buy? My budget at the moment is about $12K, and I am being steered toward '01 and '02 models. Should I consider an earlier model, if the mileage isn't too high? I am new to Mercedes and would appreciate some guidance. Having driven Volvos for 20 years, I thought I would go for an XC70, but one drive in an E320 changed my mind!
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
PM me
if you want a low mile 01.
Depending on where you are located I have a very nice completely inspected all services new tires new brakes new trans fluid new plugs perfect body one on the way.
Post 2000 facelift models ahve more bells and whistles but also have more electronic glitches.Inspect that everything works, all pixels, all windows,no worries about harmonic balancer on later models.
Run climate control diagnostics. 12k you can get a well sorted model with way under 80,000 miles. Which in Mercedes years is 8 oil changes
What color is your preference?
P.S. an xc70 just backed over the front of one of my track/street MGB's so they must have very poor rear vision
or the driver did
Depending on where you are located I have a very nice completely inspected all services new tires new brakes new trans fluid new plugs perfect body one on the way.
Post 2000 facelift models ahve more bells and whistles but also have more electronic glitches.Inspect that everything works, all pixels, all windows,no worries about harmonic balancer on later models.
Run climate control diagnostics. 12k you can get a well sorted model with way under 80,000 miles. Which in Mercedes years is 8 oil changes
What color is your preference?
P.S. an xc70 just backed over the front of one of my track/street MGB's so they must have very poor rear vision
or the driver did
Last edited by ohlord; Jun 24, 2009 at 10:37 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
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From: Pittsburgh,PA, Cambridge, Ontario, CN
2003 S210 3.8L Brabus wagon
In S210s estates the last year is 2003. The change for sedans being in 03 and 04 for the wagons. Go for the newest you can get and obviously the best maintained. The mileage factor should come in after the maintenance has been reviewed. Look at the little things to gauge how it was taken care of. Is it really clean, is every thing working, cracks in the wood, pop the center wood console and look underneath it for dirt and spills to gauge how the car spent its life, with a considerate/ or otherwise owner. Check tire wear for evenness. Look at all the little areas and spend an hour or two privately with the car and go over it. If you are not mechanically inclined then bring a trusted friend who is and they will also be impartial. Open your search to a broad geographic area to find just the right one for you. And most of all enjoy the search. It is fun and rewarding and a learning process. Then come here and ask tons of questions. We are all ready to help a new friend. Good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
1996 E300 Diesel
Members, friends, and other E320 wagon seekers,
I, too am looking for a used E320 4Matic. While my wife wants an ML, I think the wagon is a btter choice (while it also restricts the amount of stuff she can put it from the Christmas tree shoppe:-)). I have a 1996 E300 Diesel which I love and understand the expenses with an older MB. Is 120K miles a lot on a 2002 or earlier? What kind of mileage can I expect?
What to look for in the E320? How long is the engine good for (assuming propoer maintenace)? What goes - water pump, fuel system, electronics, etc? I have found good deals and some really good deals here in Connecticut - where everything is more expensive.
I understand the electronics comments and even the thought of a key bob (not kebab!) scares me.
Any thoughts? Finally, when is MB going to get smart and start building diesel wagons again!
I, too am looking for a used E320 4Matic. While my wife wants an ML, I think the wagon is a btter choice (while it also restricts the amount of stuff she can put it from the Christmas tree shoppe:-)). I have a 1996 E300 Diesel which I love and understand the expenses with an older MB. Is 120K miles a lot on a 2002 or earlier? What kind of mileage can I expect?
What to look for in the E320? How long is the engine good for (assuming propoer maintenace)? What goes - water pump, fuel system, electronics, etc? I have found good deals and some really good deals here in Connecticut - where everything is more expensive.
I understand the electronics comments and even the thought of a key bob (not kebab!) scares me.
Any thoughts? Finally, when is MB going to get smart and start building diesel wagons again!
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: New England
2000 E 320S4 210.282 4Matic Estate
As far as Diesel wagons go there's never been any shortage of them - unfortunately Mercedes-Benz of N. America chooses to ignore them. You can drool a little bit at the attached image, ha, ha.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: COSTA MESA
99' E320 4MATIC ESTATE / 92' 190E 2.6
Members, friends, and other E320 wagon seekers,
I, too am looking for a used E320 4Matic. While my wife wants an ML, I think the wagon is a btter choice (while it also restricts the amount of stuff she can put it from the Christmas tree shoppe:-)). I have a 1996 E300 Diesel which I love and understand the expenses with an older MB. Is 120K miles a lot on a 2002 or earlier? What kind of mileage can I expect?
What to look for in the E320? How long is the engine good for (assuming propoer maintenace)? What goes - water pump, fuel system, electronics, etc? I have found good deals and some really good deals here in Connecticut - where everything is more expensive.
I understand the electronics comments and even the thought of a key bob (not kebab!) scares me.
Any thoughts? Finally, when is MB going to get smart and start building diesel wagons again!
I, too am looking for a used E320 4Matic. While my wife wants an ML, I think the wagon is a btter choice (while it also restricts the amount of stuff she can put it from the Christmas tree shoppe:-)). I have a 1996 E300 Diesel which I love and understand the expenses with an older MB. Is 120K miles a lot on a 2002 or earlier? What kind of mileage can I expect?
What to look for in the E320? How long is the engine good for (assuming propoer maintenace)? What goes - water pump, fuel system, electronics, etc? I have found good deals and some really good deals here in Connecticut - where everything is more expensive.
I understand the electronics comments and even the thought of a key bob (not kebab!) scares me.
Any thoughts? Finally, when is MB going to get smart and start building diesel wagons again!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh,PA, Cambridge, Ontario, CN
2003 S210 3.8L Brabus wagon
Overall, it's very reliable - engine in particular appears to be bullet proof and it's also nice and smooth. Electronics are also very reliable. There are some problem areas - that have been addressed many times. I recommend you use the forum search tool for that.
As far as Diesel wagons go there's never been any shortage of them - unfortunately Mercedes-Benz of N. America chooses to ignore them. You can drool a little bit at the attached image, ha, ha.
As far as Diesel wagons go there's never been any shortage of them - unfortunately Mercedes-Benz of N. America chooses to ignore them. You can drool a little bit at the attached image, ha, ha.
Gonna be takin the big white ghost.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Stratford, CT
2001 E320 4matic sedan
NY mechanics
I'm thinking of looking at a couple of cars in New Rochelle, NY. Does anyone know of an independent MB mechanic nearby? I'm in Connecticut, and so are the mechanics I know.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
1996 E300 Diesel
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Stratford, CT
2001 E320 4matic sedan
PPI for E320
2000 E320 4matic wagon, 86k miles, $10.5k, private party, service records--Am taking this one to the mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Remember my pm
beat them down in price.10.5 is to high unless it has had everything done.Plugs to trans fluid change,new everything from rotors to o2 sensors and tires
In 10k miles or so you will be coming up on a big service.Learn how to diy or get them down to low 9k range to lessen the hit if you are not going to be doing your own periodic maintenance.
They are asking at least a grand and a half too much.Knock it down now or kick yourself later
Check out how much the o2 sensors you will need 4 of at 100k miles(about $100 ea. before labor if you are not going to be doing them yourself.)
Spark plugs 5-8hundred bucks at 100k miles
once again if you are not going to be doing them yourself
(in which case I can teach you how to do them for under $100.)
and keep that in mind when setting how much you will pay. Not what they want you to pay
tranny fluid and filter
rear diff fluid change
Negotiate
In 10k miles or so you will be coming up on a big service.Learn how to diy or get them down to low 9k range to lessen the hit if you are not going to be doing your own periodic maintenance.
They are asking at least a grand and a half too much.Knock it down now or kick yourself later
Check out how much the o2 sensors you will need 4 of at 100k miles(about $100 ea. before labor if you are not going to be doing them yourself.)
Spark plugs 5-8hundred bucks at 100k miles
once again if you are not going to be doing them yourself
(in which case I can teach you how to do them for under $100.)
and keep that in mind when setting how much you will pay. Not what they want you to pay
tranny fluid and filter
rear diff fluid change
Negotiate
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2003 Tahoe but hope to be driving a E320 4matic wagon soon.
I am shopping for a 2004 E320 4matic wagon. How much should I expect to pay for one in great condition? I hope to find one with about 70,000 miles or less.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Cupertino, CA
2003 e320 wagon (210 chassis NOT a 211))
post-face lift
I was told in another thread that post face-lift models have a more reliable transmission... so that's what we're shoping for (2000-2003 w210 4matic wagon).
In California, it seems like ~$12,000 is the target asking price for this vehicle @ around 60k - 80k miles. I'm thinking ~$10,000 or less is an acceptable *real* value. We'll see.
In California, it seems like ~$12,000 is the target asking price for this vehicle @ around 60k - 80k miles. I'm thinking ~$10,000 or less is an acceptable *real* value. We'll see.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Stratford, CT
2001 E320 4matic sedan
Why an '04?
Resident expert ohlord called the first year W211 "the most recalled car in Mercedes history."
So, you might consider looking for an '02 (or an '03, if you can find one).
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Cupertino, CA
2003 e320 wagon (210 chassis NOT a 211))
That's a W211. The folks on this forum may try to steer you to a W210, which ran from 1999 to 2002 (in wagon form the W210 supposedly ran through 2003, though I haven't seen one).
Resident expert ohlord called the first year W211 "the most recalled car in Mercedes history."
So, you might consider looking for an '02 (or an '03, if you can find one).
Resident expert ohlord called the first year W211 "the most recalled car in Mercedes history."
So, you might consider looking for an '02 (or an '03, if you can find one).
I also saw a 2004 wagon for sale that was branded a "lemon law" vehicle on it's title... anecdotal evidence in support of ohlord's claim.
