I have been looking at the 98 to 99 W210 E300TDs and E320. Which is a better car relaiblility wise?

I have no idea......but would like to see some quantified data on this.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Whichever one has been better maintained.

I was thinking of purchasing a 99 E300TD but wow, after reading the couple of threads on them the last few days I think I'll pass and continue to drive
my SDL.

We all know here that maintenance has to be done....oil, brakes, filters, fluids.

But if one needs to budget $100-200 a month for issues that you might have to have a dealer do........that's just poor quality, I'll buy a Toyota Avalon drive it for 8 years with only having to worry about nothing.

What country are you in? MB didn't import a 300TD to the US market after 1987.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

How do you figure that is such a bad thing? When my AC hose blew, it has 8 years and 180K on it. Cost me about $2K to fix it with a new compressor and receiver dryer, etc, etc. At that rate, there goes your $200 a month. Now if you Avalon can guarantee that at 8 yrs, it has no such issue, I'd be interested. $200 a month is not that much in reality. My neighbor has spent about $100 a month for his Avalon when it was newer and with less miles.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

He's naming it correctly. E300TD is it's model right from the MSO, transferred to the title on my '99. I guess if you owned one, you might have known this.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

I think he is talking about the 98-99 E300 Turbo Diesel

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

W210 issues to be very concerned about center on common areas of both cars.

That is, it's not so much the engine you need to be concerned about, but everything else, from failing welds, to cheaply executed electrical hardware.

Both engines have much electrickery, and both are likely to outlive the body/chassis. Rising cost of diesel, and the increasing longevity of gas engines make the diesel advantage much less than what it traditionally has been.

I've been a longtime diesel fan, but lately, I'm choosing gas cars when I replace an older diesel.

I'm planning on giving a pass to the entire W210 chassis, and invest in the last of the W124s. By the time I've worn them out, maybe the W211 will be proven out to be a good gamble. Or... maybe the kids will have gotten out of college, and I can afford a new(ish) MB!

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Jim,
The engine and associated systems, have been the massive repair cost-center for my '99 E300TD, since leaving the 4-yr. 50K warranty.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Maybe when my kids get out of college, I can afford an older one.

OK, I missed the E. On my car the T is for touring not turbo. MB must have changed that.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

I think my most expensive electrical repair that I have had to do was on the driver seat. The heater gave out on both butt and back. Wife loves heated seats so we had to change both the leather covers since they come with the heater.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Thanks.....

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

I have a E320 97 with 80K miles, my wife’s car. I have maintained the car, it is now out of warranty but in very good shape, this particular model has the straight in line six and I am told very reliable.
So far both xenon headlight have failed and had to be replaced at a cost of 1K each, under warranty. Every time a tail light bulb needs replacement the entire tail light assembly must be replaced. The transmission is sealed unit, I have the filter and fluids changed.
A/C evaporator is a $2K or more to replace, so far ours has been ok but can go bad anytime.
I had spring perches checked for rust, they are ok for now.
The engine developed oil leak at about 40k miles and the seals were replaced under warranty, all MB sixes have this issue.

Aside from all that it has been a good car, it is a MB after all so high maintenance should not surprise anyone.

Considering the cost of diesel fuel and all the issues with the E300’s, including the fuel leaks, glow plug freezing etc, I would consider a E320 over diesel.

Vahe
240D 77 350k
E320 97 80k