Thinking about picking up a pre-facelift W210 in 2025. What am I in for?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 972
Likes: 191
From: Atlanta
W222 AMG S63
Thinking about picking up a pre-facelift W210 in 2025. What am I in for?
Hi, all.
I’m loosely considering picking up a pre-facelift W210 E320 with less than 125,000 miles. Seems to be a well-maintained southern car. I haven’t checked extensively for rust yet (spring perches and whatnot). I’ll do that if it even makes sense to pursue.
Assuming everything is as it seems, old cars still have old car issues with dry rot, parts availability, etc.
Would taking on this generation of car at 25+ years old be a money pit? Or worse, not able to support it.
To put this into perspective, I restored a W211 E55 a couple of years ago and was able to get all of the parts I needed directly from my local MB dealership. Even the seat bladders. I put over $15K into getting it back up to spec. Does the W210 have similar levels of support from MB or the aftermarket community?
I’m loosely considering picking up a pre-facelift W210 E320 with less than 125,000 miles. Seems to be a well-maintained southern car. I haven’t checked extensively for rust yet (spring perches and whatnot). I’ll do that if it even makes sense to pursue.
Assuming everything is as it seems, old cars still have old car issues with dry rot, parts availability, etc.
Would taking on this generation of car at 25+ years old be a money pit? Or worse, not able to support it.
To put this into perspective, I restored a W211 E55 a couple of years ago and was able to get all of the parts I needed directly from my local MB dealership. Even the seat bladders. I put over $15K into getting it back up to spec. Does the W210 have similar levels of support from MB or the aftermarket community?
Last edited by CQHall; Oct 27, 2025 at 12:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 972
Likes: 191
From: Atlanta
W222 AMG S63
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 1,315
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
I'm still enjoying my '99 W210 E55.
Pre-emptive items I recommend...
-rear door window motors, they can bring down the Canbus
-Front door control modules
-Lower console control module
-upper console module
-Seat adjustment module units for both front doors
-Rubber gaskets for side mirrors and base of wiper arm
-if possible, the plastic shield at base of windshield
-Headlight lenses
Not necessary to install now, just keep on the parts shelf.
Pre-emptive items I recommend...
-rear door window motors, they can bring down the Canbus
-Front door control modules
-Lower console control module
-upper console module
-Seat adjustment module units for both front doors
-Rubber gaskets for side mirrors and base of wiper arm
-if possible, the plastic shield at base of windshield
-Headlight lenses
Not necessary to install now, just keep on the parts shelf.
Last edited by bbirdwell; Oct 30, 2025 at 02:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 972
Likes: 191
From: Atlanta
W222 AMG S63
I'm still enjoying my '99 W210 E55.
Pre-emptive items I recommend...
-rear door window motors, they can bring down the Canbus
-Front door control modules
-Lower console control module
-upper console module
-Seat adjustment module units for both front doors
-Rubber gaskets for side mirrors and base of wiper arm
-if possible, the plastic shield at base of windshield
-Headlight lenses
Pre-emptive items I recommend...
-rear door window motors, they can bring down the Canbus
-Front door control modules
-Lower console control module
-upper console module
-Seat adjustment module units for both front doors
-Rubber gaskets for side mirrors and base of wiper arm
-if possible, the plastic shield at base of windshield
-Headlight lenses
I found out that the evaporator core was leaking on the car that I was considering and I’m not up for a dashboard-out job.
