I am considering replacing my 1991 300D (totaled last week) with a 1998 or 99 E300 Turbodiesel. After a search I got the feeling that they may be more trouble than they are worth. What are your experiences - anyone real happy?

I personally love my 1998 and plan to drive it for the foreseeable future. Remember that most you'll find will have close to 100K or more miles and are at least 6 years old. I think in that context they are not particularly troublesome cars. If you compare them with a brand new Toyota you are not comparing apples to apples. It's interesting to read about many of the problems on these boards but so many times we forget these cars are all OLD CARS.

The life expectancy of a car in the 1970's was probably about 6 years or 100K miles if you were very lucky. I can remember being lucky to get 50K out of some before they turned into unreliable heaps. Now we expect cars with 100K to be perfect...its pretty amazing that they are as good as they are.

When I bought mine in January 2005 I had a lot of PM done to it, to the tune of about $1500. It also experienced a fail MAF since then but nothing else. Even when the MAF failed it just triggered the "check engine electronics" warning but drove perfectly fine so it was more of an annoyance than something leaving you stranded by the side of the road. Even the PM I had done was work done to insure a long trouble free life and probably nothing which even had to be done but things like glow plugs, transmission service, fuel supply and return lines, fluids, filters, seals, etc. This starts the car off with a baseline of no leaks and no deferred maintenance. With nearly 120K on it the car drives like a dream.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I've had a 98 E300 TD for several months now. I do find it to be an incredible car. It rides better than any new Lexus I've been in. Its look, inside and out is clean and classic. I have 86,000 miles on mine. I've added something like 5000 since a got it. I had to repalce the Mass Air Flow and the injector rings, which started to leak leaving a slight smell of diesel. If you are not mechanical, be sure you have an independent deisel gagage near by. The dealerships seem generally awful. My expereince anyway.

Gas milage has not been the advertized 37 mpg -- but still good at the low 30's highway and very close to 30 in mixed driving.

i have gotten a lot of joy from this car, and plan on keeping it a good long time. You could certainly find a gas model easier and for less money - in my area (Colorado) we have to do an annual emissions check for diesels - silly but the law I guess. So, you need to choose, but there is something unsually, maybe quaint - ecological - about a classic, beautiful Mercedes diesel that is just wonderful - for me.
Let us know what you decide!
Stan

Probably because it was never advertised as such. Only 36mpg at best.

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#dieselFLEET
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'97 E300
'99 E300

Had one. Got rid of it. It was a shop queen.

How much maintenance is to much, or. Is she a shop queen or not.

My 99 E300 is on probation and not doing well

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

I personally love my E300. It is a great car to drive and is pretty reliable. When i bought mine, it had about 146K miles on it, now I have 154k + miles on it. It came with complete records which is important when getting one of these cars. Just remeber, no car is perfect, each one has its unqiue flaws, but with this car, i think its worth it.

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2002 G500 74K
1998 E300 200K and rising
1995 S600 73k


"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering
if they've made a difference. The Marines don't
have that problem."-Ronald Reagan

"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them
what to do and they will surprise you with their
ingenuity."-General George S. Patton

Prior to purchase of the w210, please have the spring perches carefully inspected to make sure they are not bad. Check the a/c and service records too. I'm very pleased with my 1996 E300D but it needs spring perches and just had expensive A/C repair.
Steve

Hi

1998 E300 Turdodiesel Wagon purchased Feb 04 with 164,000 miles, now 199,000miles and going like a dream.
Rust, 4 doors, bonnet, tailgate & both front wings replaced June 04 under the 30 year corrosion warranty.
I guess some are good and some not.

Yes i am happy

McCool300TD

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Corrosion Warranty? Has anyone else cashed in on that? I want a W210 wagon. They're definitely not in the states.

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Ed
-1984 Mercedes 190D 2.2 5-speed gray market(bought@30,000 miles) (Sold back to original owner@170,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes E300DT (245,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition (80,000 miles)