Had a W211 55 a while back, just started shopping for a 210. I'd like to get one with the cooled seats, is this option worth waiting out for? How about parktronic? How do they compare to the 211? Also I haven't driven a merc in a while, I wasn't crazy about the handling of the 211, mainly I feel because of the airmatic, light steering. For reference I swapped the w211 for an E39, I understand they're apples and oranges. Just looking for any input.

Thanks

Matt.

 

Matt,

W210 is my preferred choice vs w211.

An option worth waiting for? I don't recall there being an option for cooled seats on the w210, unless you decide you wish to DIY transplant swap.
Parktronic? - this was an option (have it on our w210), so then maybe find a w210 with that option or have it installed yourself - DIY or farm it out.
W210 vs.w211 - It's a personal choice and depends on which model you are looking for - Have kept/maintained our 97amg - just way easier to maintain/diy and just stinking fast, rides on rails and used parts easy to obtain.
If you decide on a w210, look for the e55 amg model, but stay away from the 2000 e55 amg - I just found out (thru another forum member) the main drive shaft is NLA with stealerships and difficult to find a used replacement. Havent sourced this myself, but the MB epc search I did, indeed shows the other models and years do not use this same part#.

Body style is timeless imo. Our neighbour has a 98 e320 that I maintain for them and have driven. I have recommended that model year to others - just a good all-round w210.
99+'s meh! - nice but not a fan of contoured front bumper (only because you have to remove the fricken entire bumper cover) to access simple things on the front end. (MB designer must have had a bad hair week on this front end design)

 

Thanks for the response Khomer, I do agree I prefer the 210 to the 211. When I got the 211 55 originally, it was a total impulse buy. Obviously the drive train was the main driver with that. However the more I lived with it, the more I began to find it wasn't the complete package for me, like i said in the handling department, and anything else other then a straight line it had difficulty putting the power down. I'll never understand why locking diffs are not standard on cars like this.

Back to the 210..I agree the styling is "older school" benz. I am in fact shopping the 55s again, and have seen a few with the cooled seat option. I dont have that option in either of our cars, Id image it could be nice here in the south, but if its not that great or problematic I wont bother with it. There are not many just in the year 00-02 around in general. Maybe up to ten on each site you look at, finding ones with certain options gets even more difficult. Ironically I'm solely shopping silver, not my initial color of choice, but it looks so great with the monoblocks. It seems the 210s are relatively reliable and or easier to work on if need be...the only issue being rust. Rust doesn't scare me too much as long as its not too far gone, and or everywhere. Should I be concerned with higher mileage on these cars...meaning over 120K or so? Normally that does not bother me as long as proper maintenance has been adhered to. Id prefer to get from a private owner who knows their stuff, rather than some rando used car lot. Unfortunately most im seeing are on those lots..


Matt.

 

Higher mileage shouldnt concern you so long as it's documented. (Not from some "fly-boy" who purchased it simply because it flies and is looking to off-load it because he's lost the joy in it - there are a few of those out there.)
As for rust, (thank you for jogging my old memory) one area to check for this are the spring perches. The W210 spring perches were rust prone - both the perch at the top as well as the welds of the perches to the body. Do a search on this so you can read up on it for background knowledge.

 

I have the 2002 W-210 E 55 with Parktronic and ventilated seats. It was rare to have these options but I have them.

Oddly enough I'm thinking about selling the car. I sent a card to Max with A Better Wrench in North Carolina because in my opinion he is one of the best mechanics in the country and even though I live in New York City and kept the car in Naples Florida I had it driven to Max to go through every two years. My car has 70,000 miles on it or thereabouts.

The parktronic works but it's not as good as the 211 but it does work. The ventilated seats work but again they are not as good as the 211.

The car is a blast to drive. As I understand that it's the last of the handmade AMG cars. I almost hate to sell it but I never drive it.

I've watched people say online that they think the cars are worth $12-$15,000 and that anyone asking in excess of 20,000 is crazy. I guess I'm crazy because for $15,000 I'd rather keep the car.

My car has a Bluetooth pock so I can use the Mercedes Bluetooth, I have satellite radio and a way to connect my iPhone I think it would also work with android. Yet the car looks stock in every way.

I hate the navigation, I hate the navigation.

Forgive my sales pitch I can't control myself but in answer to your question I would wait for Parktronic and I would never buy a car ever again without ventilated seats

I have all the books and records since the car was new.


I have a second E 55 from 2001 that has 170,000 miles on it I'm selling my car from Florida because I just don't get to drive it enough. Right now I pay somebody twice a month to drive it around my community but I only put 200 miles on it last year and is just crazy to own the car. If I can figure out how I'll post a picture here.

Is it worth waiting for I think so.

 

Nice. I miss my 210 all the time and I have 211 E63 now.

That said, if you though the steering was light on the W211, you are going to hate the 210. I could make a 3 point turn with a single finger.

 

Thanks for the info Phil, beautiful car BTW. No sweat on the sales pitch honestly, this is exactly the type of car Im looking for. Well taken care of, records, options Im interested in. Initially when I started shopping for the W210, Oddly I was drawn to silver, although it seems to be very common. I used to have a silver E36 M3 that looked great with the matching wheels, this is how I feel with the monoblocks as well, I am however warming up to the tectite. Funny that you used to take it to that mechanic in chapel hill, we just moved out of the Raleigh area to ATL. Currently 15K is a little out of my price range, if you do decide to part with it maybe down the road we could talk further. Let me know if your driver is on vacation or wants to split the drive, Id be happy to take it the rest of the way to NC. Again, thanks for all your input.


Matt.