wagon

My dream car since it came out was the W210 wagon. The right size, awesome looking, sports-minded ride.I also like the circa 1996 Chevy Impala wagon.

But anyway, I have owned a 1997 C280 for 14 years now and it is a champ. I love driving it and it is quirky, but tremendous. However, when hauling my young daughter and our dog away for the weekend, it is not utilitarian.

I came across this 2000 E320 4matic with 100K miles and in good shape at an apparently good price. I took it out for a spin last night and I wasn't as impressed as I wanted to be. The handling was sluggish and it vibrated at around 40 mph. I have read the threads and see that I may need engine mounts. But what of the handling? I expected something more like the W202. Unless I need shocks?

I'd like to get this car and would like to think it would handle better than this test drive with new shocks. The car also had the cheapest "touring" tires you can buy. Let me know what you think about the heandling of a w210 wagon.

ohlord

on that example. Find one that has not been abused.
What price? Where are you located?
Never ever unless you have the ability and the money buy a w210 that is suspect.
It should drive and handle with aplomb.
A vibration at 40mph is not motor mounts.
And as a several w210 wagon owner over the years I can assure you they are not sluggish unless something is far amiss.
I'm interested in what people think is an apparently good price?

wagon

Thanks for the reply. Thats good to hear that it is this particular vehicle.

I am located in Ontario, Canada and this vehicle is at a dealer for $6000 and I would have expected to pay less than that and I think that would have been a good deal for me on the vehicle. It had a cracked dash, cracked trim around shifter, broken antenna and had recently been painted (I suspect due to an accident in the rear). If it was a solid drive, that would have been a good deal for me.

ohlord

for good examples are higher up there.
If a Canadian dealer is selling it for 6K it is a hoopty. And they know it.

bzliteyear

This sounds like a "pass" - ideally, you can find one with all the records and/or be able to talk with the prior owner so you can tell how much $ was spent maintaining the $60k USD wagon. As an example, I just bot a 2002 E320 wagon 4matic. The car was previously certified by MB and warrantied until 100k miles, and the past 2 years, the owner put about $7k in service and repairs. Plus, the car looked super clean with original paint.

Good luck on the search...they're out there, but it's important to be patient.
PL

wagon

That would be ideal to find a private sale from an original owner! Perhaps I should be looking in the Southern states for a rust-free 4-matic W210 wagon if they are cheaper and our dollar is near par!

ohlord

check
http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/content/...rs/0.0002.html
for models allowed.
Then contact transport Canada for what if any modifications are needed.
i.e. day time running lights etc.

ejsheltra

It can be Star coded to keep day time running lights on by the dealer for a nominal charge. Other than that there is nothing else that need be changed. You can convert your speedometer to read in KPH by stopping the vehicle and going through the command prompts. No need to change the cluster. I have imported several. There is paperwork that will need to come from MBUSA if importing a US spec car to make sure all relevant recalls and updates required by MB were completed. Your local dealer cannot provide this. It has to go through MBUSA in Montvale, New Jersey. They will forward a letter of certification to you to bring for importation. You will also need a clear clean original title for the vehicle in order to import. If you are any where near Toronto, that would be at the Lewiston crossing and not at the Peace Bridge crossing. If elsewhere check with the border authorities first. This is an area where Canada Ministry of transportation has been cracking down especially with higher end cars. Your paperwork must be in order. I believe Canadian Tire does the importation inspection and they will try and convince you that you need to buy their daytime running lights module. Do not fall for it. Go to the dealer or good Indy first and have them turned on, then go for the CT importation inspection.

As for finding a good car check sites like autotrader.com and cars.com to name a few and do not be afraid to do a nationwide search for the right vehicle with the options you want. As Oh Lord says have it independently inspected before purchase so you have something to go back on if things are amiss on arrival of your new ride.