The odometer is quickly approaching 120,000 miles. I have also treated my 2001 E320 with preventive care. Any ideas what preventive care is required with 120,000 miles on the odometer?

Hello -

Assuming you have followed MB's scheduled maintenance requirements there is nothing specific at 120K.

Items that might need replacement after 100K on an as needed basis include:

Transmission/Differential Service
Spark Plugs
MAF
O2 Sensors
Motor Mounts
Flex Discs
Suspension Bushings

Check out the sticky post at the top of this forum for a list of problems for W210's.

Enjoy it for the next 120k miles. These cars hold up pretty well. I'm approaching 120k also. Runs and rides like new and I haven't done any suspension work. Handles great and tires wear evenly. I have 50k on my current set of Fuzion HRI's

You should expect many more years and miles of fun

Between 120,000 and 226,000 (now) here's what I replaced, not in any particular order:

The normal brakes, tires, wiper blades, fluids, filters
both front lower ball joints
both front outer tie rod ends
Left front spindle (bearing failure - my fault, not following schedule)
alternator
water pump
belt idler
belt tensioner
fan viscous coupling
both hid headlamps - turned pink and died
Had to disassemble, clean, and relube the wiper arm mechanism
had to disassemble and clean all the taillight contacts

things need to do -
driver's seat heater not working
passenger's seat occupancy switch
fix some rust that's popping.

Did all of it myself, so saved a ton of money. Still getting 24-28 highway mpg depending on if I am using real premium or premium cut with ethanol and wind speed/direction. 2.5 mpg less with cut fuel.

Have you had to rebuild the Tranmission? Is the engine all original?

Original engine and trans.

People tell me that the tranny fluid never needs to be changed in an '02 E430, hard to believe?!

I change my fluid and filter every 15k. Straight overkill, but I'm sure its for the best in the long run.

need to be changed, even Mercedes changed their stance on the lifetime fluid and issued a TSB for the same transmission offered in the later W211 at 39K miles. MB spec fluid,diy on Benzworld.org w210,special dipstick and pan magnet from someone around here
Get Er done

Hi waybomb,

Can you elaborate on how you treated the rust? I have a Obsidian Black 99 E430 sport and there are about 6 different spots where rust bubbles can be seen in the paint. I've received quotes from body shops from $800 to $4500 and I am resisting the temptation to take a dremel and some Por15 to it. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Chris

I decided to let the rust be. I put miles on quickly. Just turned 296,000 this week. The car will need to be replaced within 50,000 miles and it makes no economic sense to dump 5000 bucks in it to do it right.
The 5k can go to a newer model than I would buy, or maybe a lower mileage one when it is time to replace it.
This car is my daily driver and looks just don't matter that much anymore.