Should I buy this car? Help with service history
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 12
From: Arizona
2004 E55 AMG, 1996 SL500, 2004 E400 4Matic Wagon
Should I buy this car? Help with service history
Hello,
I am currently trying to decide if I want to purchase a 2003 E320 Sport with about 34,500 miles on it. This car is being sold by a non-MB dealer and I was wondering about the reliability.
I've obtained the service history for the car and also a CarFax report. The CarFax report doesn't seem to indicate anything is amiss. However, the service history appears pretty long. I'm not sure if I should be worried about all the items in the service history (this will be my first MB). Can someone help me out? I can't attach the pdf to this message so if anyone wants, please PM me and I can send it to you.
Thanks in advance for your help,
RC
I am currently trying to decide if I want to purchase a 2003 E320 Sport with about 34,500 miles on it. This car is being sold by a non-MB dealer and I was wondering about the reliability.
I've obtained the service history for the car and also a CarFax report. The CarFax report doesn't seem to indicate anything is amiss. However, the service history appears pretty long. I'm not sure if I should be worried about all the items in the service history (this will be my first MB). Can someone help me out? I can't attach the pdf to this message so if anyone wants, please PM me and I can send it to you.
Thanks in advance for your help,
RC
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 996
Likes: 16
From: Tampa, Florida
2017 E300W
You may want to try a search here of 2003 reliability. You'll find lots of helpful threads.
I think you'll be forewarned on 2003 issues.
If that's what you want, I believe you can find one with substantially fewer miles.
I think you'll be forewarned on 2003 issues.
If that's what you want, I believe you can find one with substantially fewer miles.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Check the service history to see if the most common 2003 problem areas have already been serviced, such as:
1. Engine mount noise
2. Audio system shutting down/restarting
3. Noisy wiper blades
4. SBC recalls (two)
If these problem areas have been fixed (and any others that somebody else can think of) then I wouldn't assume that the '03 would be unreliable going forward. Note, BTW, that none of the problem areas I listed are disabling, just annoying because of the need to take the car in.
Our '03 (9/02 build) has 20,000 miles on it, but that's exceptionally low. Anything under 40,000 is still pretty low.
1. Engine mount noise
2. Audio system shutting down/restarting
3. Noisy wiper blades
4. SBC recalls (two)
If these problem areas have been fixed (and any others that somebody else can think of) then I wouldn't assume that the '03 would be unreliable going forward. Note, BTW, that none of the problem areas I listed are disabling, just annoying because of the need to take the car in.
Our '03 (9/02 build) has 20,000 miles on it, but that's exceptionally low. Anything under 40,000 is still pretty low.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 2
'07 s550 4matic
its under warranty...so you really dont have much to be worried about. A long service history is not a bad thing for the 03s...it probably just means most of the initial bugs were taken care of.
