94E420

Hi all at the local MB dealership they have an 04 E320. www.mb-kc.com is there web address. Its a flawless car loaded with everything. Is this a good year or a year to avoid. It has air suspension. Is that a bad thing?

Lots of feed back need. please help. I really interested in the car but I am willing to walk away based on what input I get here.

Thanks-

burrito_bandito

hi sorry this will be rough but you said you need advice asap so i'll give you just what's on the top of my head. Air suspension is awesome. i like it a lot. except when it breaks. hope it doesn't break haha. i wouldn't call it a common problem, but its definitely not rare, and when it happens, its pretty expensive. again i dont have any specific numbers or facts but you said quick, so here's quick haha. if i were you, i'd probably buy the car. i love the w211 chassis, way worth the risk of the expensive repair of the susension in my opinion. plus, even if it does happen to you that you need it, what's the likelihood it would happen again?

edwinwalke

Nice looking car but it has 121K miles so you can plan on some repairs in the near future depending on what has already been done. I would ask to see the maintenance/repair history and look to see if motor mounts, Serpentine belt tensioner and tightner pulley have been changed and if the transmission has ever been serviced. The air suspension could also be a big cost expense if it develops problems. My philosophy on high mileage cars is the fewer gadgets and options the better because you have less things to break. I think it may be overpriced for a 2004 with that kind of mileage so I would be looking for a list of things that they have done to the car to prepare it for sale.

94E420

So, is the 2004 model year a good year or one to stay away from? I know I should stay away from the 03's

vettdvr

SBC brakes couls cost up to $4000 Airmatic strut failure could cost $2000 for ONE strut
Ball joints have been known to fail at 60,000+ miles

If you want a car nice tight drives well and can affort to drop $4000 for a repair then buy it. Otherwise you might consider something else.

Barry45RPM

My 04 was fully loaded except fro the radar cruise control, and had it all. Every single problem possible that is. Loved the car but it hated me. Dealer could not keep it on the road. I presonally would stay away from it like the plague.

WEBSRFR

If you can afford it, buy a 2007+ car.

Airmatic can be very expensive to fix when it goes bad...

Having said that, it is a great car and you will love it!

ozusa

I think it is a little expensive for the year and miles and it is not 4Matic, if you care about that.

Pluses of the one you're looking at:
a) moon roof. But check it works. Open and close it several times to be sure. Grinding noises are not good. They are very expensive to fix.
b) it looks good
c) it is unusual to see air-suspension on the E320. (In the E500 it is to be expected.)

Get evidence :
a) that the SBC Brake Controller has had all required fixes (based on VIN). Make them check and show you that they have checked all service bulletins for this
b) that there has been at least one transmission fluid and filter change in the life of the car. If no evidence of that, then insist that they do a change of both for you. Any doubts about the transmission, walk away.
c) the air-suspension, especially the rear, should have been replaced by now. It does not last much beyond 100-120K. Or you will need to budget for it. It is a difficult job to replace the rear air-suspension and will cost 4 K or so to do it. The whole rear suspension and axle assembly has to come out for that job.

Good luck!