What is it worth?
2005 E320 CDI with about 170K miles
VIN WDBUF26J55A592376
Been in one accident that saw the hood, driver's side quarter panel and headlight, and front bumper replaced.
Super torquey engine, still gets 35mpg easily and 40 mpg if you're nice to it.
Some wear on the interior, particularly where you'd expect it: the driver's side B pillar.
I might replace the windshield and brake rotors and pads, maybe/maybe not.
Tires aren't bad: Winter sneakers that have one last season on them.
There's an SRS red light on the dash but that's only because I told the car there's no telematics and it has been pissed at me ever since.
I have detailed maintenance records since I bought it at 100K miles about 6 years ago.
I'm thinking maybe $5k but in today's market that might be giving it away.
What says the collective?
Last edited by rapidoxidation; Dec 1, 2021 at 08:58 PM.
You want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
-Tracy Chapman, loosely quoted
170+K miles, no rust. Rear wheel drive, the way a fast car is meant to be. Gobs of torque to push you deeply into the seat. Easily gets 35 mpg, and will do 40 if you have a lighter foot than I typically do. Runs into the 132mph speed limiter like it is hitting a wall. Tail of the Dragon stickers tastefully applied beneath the door mirrors. Flips errant deer over the hood like they're flapjacks (hood and driver's side quarter panel replaced...). Fresh ball joints on the front end, new springs on all 4 corners, fresh alignment, decent winter tires that are good for one last snowy season then will get you through next summer as well. Brakes that will damn near pop your eyes out of their sockets *. Windshield needs to be replaced (I might be able to get this done prior to sale), and the phenomenal brakes are getting tired but still have plenty of meat on the pads. Transmission could also likely use a drain/fill with a new filter, but has no issues. The only annoying noise on the car is from the rear suspension bushings. They squeak. Everything is tight, but the suspension is creaky. There's an SRS light on the dash but only because I told the computer there's no telematics to phone home with in the event of a crash. The car has been pissed off about it since then, and I haven't been able to calm it down.
Exterior is in very good shape. There's a small bit of peeling paint from the front plastic bumper under the passenger side headlight. The passenger side headlight was refinished after the deer (because I wanted it to match the new driver's side headlight that was installed) and the top of the clearcoat on that passenger side light is peeling a bit at the top of the lens.
Interior is also in very good shape. There's a small (1"? haven't looked at it since '16) tear in the middle of the passenger seat that was there when I got the car in January 2016, and I've had seat covers on both seats since then. The lower section of the driver's side B pillar is worn where the seat belt and my butt scuff it when climbing in and out.
I believe everything works, and I'll be happy to plug it in to my Launch X431V+ computer with you to verify. I also have an Icarsoft MBII computer that might be included in the sale.
With the exception of tires and alignments (and that stupid deer), the only wrenches to touch the car have been mine since I bought it at 101410 miles. I have detailed maintenance records since then and can email them to you upon request. That being said, I'd strongly recommend that you not buy this car if you don't know how to wrench on things - you do not want to pay dealership fees for the inevitable maintenance costs associated with owning a Mercedes. Fortunately, there are multiple online resources and how-to forums and videos that cover about everything you'd ever need to know how to do.
I'd not hesitate to fill the tank and drive through the nearly 800 mile range tomorrow morning then refill it and do it again.
I can install a set of Yakima landing pads on the roof if you'd like. The car has had plenty of time with a canoe, bike, wheelbarrow, rocket box, and a few other things on the roof. It impacts the mileage but I've never had an issue at highway speeds.
I have both keys and a clean title. You can have it all for $5,000 and a six pack of non-IPA beer to drown my sorrow at letting this car go.
Why am I selling? I have a 2013 E350 that's a 4matic. The better for winter driving, and SWMBO finds the newer car to be more appealing to her. Shame, cuz the '13 isn't nearly as quick as the '05.
PM me if you're interested. The car is dirty right now so no pics, but it'll be clean for the new owner. I'll try to get some pics posted by the weekend. In the meantime, you can click the vin for an accurate rundown of what the car has for options.
WDBUF26J55A592376
*found this out when the deer ran into the front quarter panel outside of Sydney Nebraska.
Last edited by rapidoxidation; Dec 1, 2021 at 08:57 PM.






