Matt300ZXT

I've never owned a Mercedes Benz before. My Silverado's transmission is dying, and rather than keep putting money into it, I may just take the money and get something different, and better on gas. About 2 hours from me, there is a guy selling (from what I can see in the pics) a VERY clean 99 E300TD in black. He says he has maintenance records, and before him the owner was either a Mercedes Benz dealer shop manager or his dad was. He has kept it maintained at another Atlanta area dealership. It has 276k on it, and while that doesn't necessarily make me hesitant on the motor, the transmission I was a bit concerned about, as it's still a high mileage transmission regardless of what it's behind or who made it. I chatted with my friends that run a local shop and 2 of them were familiar with the cars and have worked on them before and they said neither of them have seen, nor heard of the transmission or engine breaking (if properly maintained at least). The only problems they've ever run into were suspension related, either the perches or the fancy high dollar suspension, or light electrical issues. I emailed the owner about it and he said it has the standard shock/spring, not the high dollar air suspension. He also gave me the vin so I can have my friends at a local Mercedes dealership run a Carfax for me so I can see some of the maintenance work without having to drive 2 hours to check out his folder of receipts.

He's a friendly, helpful guy, so hopefully I can get some good news on the maintenance records and perhaps make him an offer so I can have a new daily driver and retire the 13-14 mpg pickup truck.

speedn_j

Matt300ZXT

Are reliable, lower mileage transmissions hard to source on these cars in case it dies? I'm also considering an ls1 trans am but i havent had a good luxury car in a while i could trust. My last luxury'ish car was an 01 Audi s4 and i was just waiting on it to break down.

speedn_j

Plutoe

I own one and will wait till the body rots off before getting another I6 MB diesel. However you better learn the diesel systems or have deep pockets. Plus find a good MB diesel mechanic stay away from the truck stops or the weenee gas mechanic who says ,"I can do that"

Matt300ZXT

I have been trying to find basic maintenance or necessary procedure videos but havent been able to find much yet, ive been pretty busy the past couple days. I did go get the print out of the carfax from a friend who works at the local mb dealership. It appears to have been at the dealership A LOT. Sometimes just a few hundred miles or a few weeks to a month apart. It doesnt say what for, but if it wasnt breaking down or something small being done, then it must have been put in the shop for car washes and vacuuming it out lol

I have emailed the buyer to see if his service records extend back to previous owners, as there arent really any records since hes had it other than some that are likely oil changes every 3k.

Deep pockets eh? I'm not afraid of turning my own wrenches if things arent all covered up and hard to get to. I have never been under the hope but surely an inline 6 is easier to work on than the twin turbo v6 that was in my audi that the front bumper/radiator/ac condenser/etc had to be removed for many jobs.

Strigoi

I've owned 2 W210 cars and an LS1 Z28. Aside from the Z28 being much faster, I prefer the W210. The 4th gen F-body is 100% off my radar at this point when it comes to cars I want. I'd 100% buy another W210 in the future.

FWIW, I've only owned gas models. I see no reason to own a diesel.

If you're considering an LS1 car, look into the W211 E55/E63 as well. Both put out a lot more power than an LS1 does stock.