debecker13

Thanks in advance for helping me out! Thinking about purchasing a 1996 E300 diesel with 165k miles. Asking price is $5200.

I currently drive a 1983 300d turbo and would like to get something a little more modern and comfortable. Let me know your thoughts!

Condition

• Interior in good shape (cracked dash, leather on door handles ripped, carpets stained in places, etc.)
• Under hood looks really clean (I know this can be deceiving)
• Paint job is terrible condition (roof and hood have no more clear coat and severely fading, scratches down side from barb wire that were "repaired" with touch up paint)
• sunroof and all windows work
• AC works
• felt good driving at highway speeds
• seemed to idle a little rough (hesitation) after driving and returning to parking lot
• new glow plugs and injectors at 120k
• new shocks
• Tires pretty worn

Any suggestions on what to look closer at? How does the price seem for a diesel with 165k miles? Is the paint problem common? Should I stay away from the first year of the W210?

Thanks again for the comments and suggestions!

EdzBenz

-Check for air in the fuel lines around the fuel filter and injection pump. That could be the source of the rough idle.
-Your paint problem isn't terribly common. However, rust is a common problem. Check the spring perches and other common areas of the car: jack point, fender corners, etc.
-$5,200 is probably what someone would pay if it had better paint and not such a messed up interior. I'd offer $4k and if I were you and take the extra $1k and get a paint job at MAACO.

Plutoe

The non turbo E300 is a dog. I would save some more and look at a 320CDI.

EdzBenz

This may be all the guy can afford at the moment.

debecker13

Thanks for the input. Affordability really isn't the issue (I'm just frugal, like diesels, and want to purchase wisely). I don't really see many 320cdi's for sale at a reasonable price (~10k). Main reason for even looking at the MB diesels is that I drive +35k miles / year, mostly highway and I am looking for something comfortable, good mileage, and longevity. Doesn't make sense to spend too much on the purchase when I put that kind of miles on the car.

Any recommendations on what I should watch for on a 320cdi? Model years at my price point? Years to stay away from, etc?

Thanks again for the advice on the E300. It definitely was slow, but drove nice on the highway.

edwinwalke

Keep looking for a 98 or 99 E300TD. Much better (more power) and you should be able to find one for around $5K or less. I had a 99 in average condition with 200K miles and let it go for $5K three years ago.

Musikmann

+1 edwinwalke. From the description of the '96 $5200 is too much to spend for that car. You should be able to find a 300TD in better condition at a decent price. I would concentrate on some with less than 200,000 unless a very solid service history comes with the car.