Purchase high mileage E320?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 36
Likes: 11
From: michigan
S550
Purchase high mileage E320?
I'm considering purchase of a high mileage (210000 miles) 2002 E-320 AWD Wagon. It will be to replace my wife's Audi 1998 A8. She drives only 2000-3000 miles / yr. We had the Audi for 12 yrs. It was in excellent condition right up to the point of impact and is now sitting in a pick and pull yard.
I want something comfortable with AWD and decent size. This 320 seems to fit that requirement and I can get it at a resonable price.
There are a few things that I hope to fix or have fixed.
First is the moon roof. I've seen posts about the grinding gears and likely fix. This one doesn't grind, I can hear the motor try to do something but the roof doesn't tilt or slide. Could it also be the gear problem or even rails need grease? Or might it be tilt and slide mechanism / cables are messed up? My assumption is the later would not be an easy fix
It also has a broken right rear coil spring. It doesn't affect the ride or noise and wonder if can be lived with. Note, the Audi also had a broken rear coil for the last 3-4 yrs and never was an issue. (remember, the car is driving only 2000-3000 mile / yr. for local errands, etc)
The SRS light is also on. Assuming this is the passenger seat sensor and not fixed, will the drive bag deploy in case of an accident?
I want something comfortable with AWD and decent size. This 320 seems to fit that requirement and I can get it at a resonable price.
There are a few things that I hope to fix or have fixed.
First is the moon roof. I've seen posts about the grinding gears and likely fix. This one doesn't grind, I can hear the motor try to do something but the roof doesn't tilt or slide. Could it also be the gear problem or even rails need grease? Or might it be tilt and slide mechanism / cables are messed up? My assumption is the later would not be an easy fix
It also has a broken right rear coil spring. It doesn't affect the ride or noise and wonder if can be lived with. Note, the Audi also had a broken rear coil for the last 3-4 yrs and never was an issue. (remember, the car is driving only 2000-3000 mile / yr. for local errands, etc)
The SRS light is also on. Assuming this is the passenger seat sensor and not fixed, will the drive bag deploy in case of an accident?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,712
Likes: 4,605
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Welcome! Try posting in the W210 section where owners will see the questions.
I would replace a broken spring. I would not buy a car with an SRS light on. Sounds like you are contemplating buying a barrel full of monkeys.
I would replace a broken spring. I would not buy a car with an SRS light on. Sounds like you are contemplating buying a barrel full of monkeys.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 466
Likes: 66
C43 AMG with a tune up
Check for rust and electronic gremlins.
The w202 - w203 - w208 - w210 are all known rustbuckets like 9,999999 rusty cars out of 10 if not treated properly avoiding winter seasons and salty roads.
The A8 with the aluminum body is a 100 times better quality car than any rustbucket on the planet.
The w202 - w203 - w208 - w210 are all known rustbuckets like 9,999999 rusty cars out of 10 if not treated properly avoiding winter seasons and salty roads.
The A8 with the aluminum body is a 100 times better quality car than any rustbucket on the planet.
