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)

'96 E320 - Any good?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old May 19, 2013 | 11:24 PM
  #1  
Mecob3's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
None
'96 E320 - Any good?

Me and my dad are looking for a first car. He drives an '07 E350 and he thinks I should get an older one since he knows a mechanic who works on them for good prices. I found a '96 E320 on Craigslist, with 95K miles, and a new sound system. I thought I could come here to get some advice.
Here's the link to the car:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/3814448974.html
Thanks guys.
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 11:16 AM
  #2  
raymond g-'s Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
no one can tell you if it is good or not over the keyboard. but i think it has
potential. i'd have a knowledgeable MB person go over it in person. bring
the car into a garage for a pre-purchase inspection. here is a list of TSBs
for that year/model. the odometer is very low for its year. so you'd be
looking for every single clue available to see if they show a history of care
and maintenance by the owner. receipts.

it almost looks too clean. but the center armrest shows a heavy person. what
about pedal wear? what about door armrest?....leather condition? headlight
oxidation. undercarriage. poke front shock mount mastic for signs of covered
rust. have the recalls (service campaigns) been attended to (receipts again)?
blah blah

p.s. they sure don't look like HID/xenon headlights to me

HID...


Halogen...

Last edited by raymond g-; May 20, 2013 at 11:26 AM.
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 03:44 PM
  #3  
OceanView's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
W212 & W210
The 96-97 models have a straight 6 engine and the latter year models have the V6.
You're gonna get different opinions about which is better.
But I personally like the straight six engine better and that is the reason I kept mine instead of selling it even when I had a 2007 W211 with a V6 engine.

I personally have had no major issues that would discriminate against the 96-97 models.
Reply

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


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:33 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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