E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

is this car a lemon?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Aug 7, 2009 | 05:37 PM
  #26  
saintz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 12
From: Charleston, SC
GL450
Edmunds say it's worth 13k to 14k probably. So he wants $20k? I think you need to see if reality will check him or if he's going to sit on the car forever. The prices on E classes have dropped very fast recently due to the new W212.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2009 | 05:59 PM
  #27  
Kieran28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Cupertino, CA
2003 e320 wagon (210 chassis NOT a 211))
Originally Posted by saintz
Edmunds say it's worth 13k to 14k probably. So he wants $20k? I think you need to see if reality will check him or if he's going to sit on the car forever.
Asking is $17,000. I think the right price is closer to 11k. I mistyped my 7 should have been a 6.
The prices on E classes have dropped very fast recently due to the new W212.
Which is probably why the market is showing sale prices between 10k & 12k for cars like this... well below Edmunds & KBB (which are just loose references, not guidelines, IMO)

Anyway, I'm just shopping while waiting to see if ohlord comes up with anything interesting before I have to give back my loaner (Dad's '98 740iL).
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2009 | 06:44 PM
  #28  
saintz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 12
From: Charleston, SC
GL450
Yeah, I would have a hard time paying much over 10 for this.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2009 | 02:47 AM
  #29  
Kieran28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Cupertino, CA
2003 e320 wagon (210 chassis NOT a 211))
Originally Posted by saintz
Yeah, I would have a hard time paying much over 10 for this.
Test drove it today, it seems in very good condition, drives very well. Very clean.

They are a combination AAA certified repair shop and Jag/RangeRover used dealer. Not that it means anything, since they are biased, but they "did" the AAA 90-point inspection & showed the report. (I don't know about other states, but in southern CA, AAA offers their "Vehicle Inspection Program" & while it's not a MB-specific inspection, it's fairly well regarded for used cars in general.)

They showed me a list of repairs their shop made to the car before listing it, including new engine mounts, A/C repair & recharge, new brake pads (front rotors at 70%, rear at 80%) and they changed the oil and other routine stuff.

If I was serious about it, I'd of course get an independent MB mechanic to go over it. But it's nice to see what they've done as a starting point. Most used car dealers do a "safety" inspection and that's it.

Still not worth their asking price of $16,990 though. Their stance is they've brought the car to "perfect" condition, it's the last & thus newest of the w210's (2003), and it's very low miles (54,500 miles).

My reaction was, mechanically, there's no difference between a 2000 and a 2003, and for a car that's hopefully going to last me through 200,000 miles, the difference between one with 80,000 miles and one with 55,000 miles is pretty much zilch, all other things being equal. A local MB stealership has an '02 with 74,500 miles, asking $13,000. Still too much, but at least not insultingly so (& I'm not crazy about the color). Asking $4000 more for a year younger and 20,000 fewer miles is too much, IMO.

I took a novice look around & under the car & hood... the serpentine belt looked brand new. I mean REALLY new. But they didn't claim to have replaced it. During the test drive, the computer told us that there was too much oil in & to reduce the oil level. That did not make me happy.

They bought it at auction just a few weeks ago, which the carfax confirms. The weird thing is that the records show it was also sold at auction a couple months prior to that, in AZ.

If I thought there was a chance in hell that they'd come down to the 10k range, I'd be interested. But there isn't, and I'm not. But it is interestING.

They also had an '05 e500 4matic wagon, asking $19,something. Very pretty car. Way to rich for my wallet.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2009 | 03:52 PM
  #30  
Musikmann's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Originally Posted by Kieran28
...They also had an '05 e500 4matic wagon, asking $19,something. Very pretty car. Way to rich for my wallet.
Now that's interesting, at least to me. I thought MB only made the E350 and the E63 AMG wagons in the W211 series. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here.
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2009 | 12:04 PM
  #31  
Kieran28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Cupertino, CA
2003 e320 wagon (210 chassis NOT a 211))
Originally Posted by Musikmann
Now that's interesting, at least to me. I thought MB only made the E350 and the E63 AMG wagons in the W211 series. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here.

Here's their for sale listing page. The '05 e500 wagon is first on the list (at least for now it is)
http://gpxsales.com/build.asp
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2009 | 12:06 PM
  #32  
Kieran28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Cupertino, CA
2003 e320 wagon (210 chassis NOT a 211))
Here's a picture

2005 E500 4matic wagon:
Attached Thumbnails is this car a lemon?-2005e500wagon.jpg  
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 1 votes, 5.00 average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:54 AM.

story-0
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-2
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-3
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke

Slideshow: The 2027 update adds a fully digital steering system, revised styling, and potential charging upgrades as the company looks to revive interest in the luxury EV.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-04 10:24:38


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records

Slideshow: From problematic air suspensions to early dual-clutch transmission issues, these specific models and years stand out as the least dependable modern Mercedes vehicles.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-26 18:08:10


VIEW MORE