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  #1  
Old 10-24-2005, 03:38 PM
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Few Questions for the Experts E300's W210

E300 Diesel questions

I'm looking at a 1996 E300 Diesel 131K miles on the car

1. What color should the oil be? Normal, brown amber or black?

2. Any known problems with these cars?

3. The compartment above the ashtray, does that open or is it
there as a blank? Looks like it should open.

4. Have your engines stayed clean (pristine) or will it get dirty, some
pictures look amazing..this one didn't stound me

5. Fan shroud has a chunk missing????

6. Door handles look like they melted inside..is that normal?

7. Also, the headlights have moisture in them after raining this weekend, I'm assuming that is not good...not just foggy, really humid in there. A well sealed light should have that much water in there.

thanks
190E-Boy

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  #2  
Old 10-24-2005, 04:13 PM
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1. What color should the oil be? Normal, brown amber or black?
Black

2. Any known problems with these cars?
Yes. Try searching in this forum for "E300 problem."

3. The compartment above the ashtray, does that open or is it
there as a blank? Looks like it should open.
Yes, it should open if you push on the bottom edge.

4. Have your engines stayed clean (pristine) or will it get dirty, some
pictures look amazing..this one didn't stound me
Mine stays pretty clean, but this would depend mostly on where you drive it.

5. Fan shroud has a chunk missing????
Can't help you there.

6. Door handles look like they melted inside..is that normal?
Definitely not. Dashboard cracking is normal.

7. Also, the headlights have moisture in them after raining this weekend, I'm assuming that is not good...not just foggy, really humid in there. A well sealed light should have that much water in there.
Correct - that's not good.
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Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
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  #3  
Old 10-24-2005, 05:09 PM
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Thanks

The black oil scared me a bit, new to diesels. The water in the head lights also bothered me. I couldn't open that door above the ashtray, i tried but it seemed jammed shut and the ashtray stuck open! They insatlled a new stereo and perhaps that is where the problem arose...what is that compartment for..my 190E had a cassette cady..is this for CD's or cassettes?

This car doesn't seem to be cared for very well

thanks
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  #4  
Old 10-24-2005, 05:37 PM
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1. Black a tar, unless it's been changed in the last five minutes. This is normal for a diesel.

2. Biggest problem is that it's now 10 years old. It's a great car, and quite reliable, but all 10 year old cars have their issues.

3. Either part of the car phone (if equipped), or a small storage compartment.

4. Generally the engine will be reasonably clean, but much depends on where/how it was driven, if it the car was ever detailed, etc. Don't read too much into this one.

5. Where? Sounds like there might have been a previous failure and the shroud didn't get replaced. Sounds like a bargaining point to me.

6. That's wierd. The door handles are bright metal. Do you mean the plastic inserts behind?

7. Yes, that's bad. Don't know what the repair options are. It might be possible to remove the glass headlight lense and replace a gasket to get back to water tight, but I'm not certain on the 210 chassis.

- JimY
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Old 10-24-2005, 06:36 PM
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thanks...more info please

Quote:
Originally Posted by jcyuhn
6. That's wierd. The door handles are bright metal. Do you mean the plastic inserts behind?


- JimY
Sorry I should be more explicit, the handles on the inside, both the passenger and the driver side are GUMMY, almost as though they melted a little, perhaps a harsh cleanser might have done this...

Yes I'll be haggling price, the wheel (rear passenger) looked as though someone rammed it..the center cap is knocked in and the whole rim is gouged! The full size spare looked OK but I think there may have been a minor accident here.

thanks
anyone see and Diesel E300's for sale...I've been on FleaBay and autotrader and carfax and....still looking.

so black as tar is OK! Hmmm scarry! But its diesel world I need to get used to htese things

Last edited by 190E-Bpy; 10-24-2005 at 07:15 PM.
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Old 10-24-2005, 07:07 PM
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If i were you, i would not settle for a car that has not been well cared for...it will most likely run into several and severe problems down the line.
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Old 10-24-2005, 07:14 PM
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I agree

Quote:
Originally Posted by W140 S600
If i were you, i would not settle for a car that has not been well cared for...it will most likely run into several and severe problems down the line.
They're so hard to come by, I didn't know if a lower buying price and some $$ and TLC would bring it back to spec. I'm with you, I'd rather pay for a well maintained car and not have to worry.

thanks
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  #8  
Old 10-24-2005, 07:19 PM
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Believe me, it took me quite some time to find the one i have know. I saw a lot that were in rough shape, even some that were through a bad accident and the guy didnt want to budge from a $20k price tag. I ended up traveling a good 200miles to find the one i have now.
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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
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  #9  
Old 10-24-2005, 08:12 PM
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Thanks

I'll keep looking, I don't want to jump into anything too hastily. I'm driving a 190E 2.6 (gas) with 285K miles on the odometer and have a pretty long commute, so I figure I'd better get my next car sooner than later and be in a postion where I have to take the 1st thing that looks acceptable...I'm willing to travel to the west coast if I know its pampered.

All advice is welcomefrom all....things you think I should look for and should note when inspecting the car..sounds smells etc!! All is appreciated, no matter how basic you might think it is...I'm soon to be a diesel noobie!
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  #10  
Old 10-25-2005, 07:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 190E-Bpy
Sorry I should be more explicit, the handles on the inside, both the passenger and the driver side are GUMMY, almost as though they melted a little, perhaps a harsh cleanser might have done this...
Yes, Formula 409 or Fantastik will do that. Unfortunately, my console cover is in the same condition.

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