99 e300d pre-purchase advice - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #31 01-04-2008, 02:28 PM

I love your sig, 1996 VW regret.

I know your pain! Hopefully you can get into a real car soon!

hobbitss · #32 01-04-2008, 04:10 PM

Hello....

I've been lurking and taking notes as I am waiting (and waiting) for a 98 E300D... The PO is waiting for his new GL Diesel to arrive before I get the E300D which will go to the Dealer for a check up before we finalize the deal.... I will be the 2nd owner and the PO has all the service records...
I want to thank everyone for contributing to my laundry list of things the dealer should check on...

Joe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

We have the same problem here in California with diesels being popular for use with biodiesel and relative scarcity caused by the state banning new diesel sales for several years. Consequently, prices are high and you just have to pay them or import a car from some other part of the lower 48, minimizing the risks as best you can. Since you don't have that option, you must do the best with what is available. Shame you're so far from Victoria, I would think the climate might be a little milder.

The things I would look for are service records and rust. Price is secondary to both of those. For example, I just bought a '96 E300D with 248,000 miles (400,000 km) for $10,800. It had service records from Day 1. I was able to contact both of the two owners previous to the seller. The first owner had the car for the first 200,000 miles; it was his corporate car (registered in his name, the company paid for everything). He took it to the dealer for anything more complex than putting fuel in the tank. Among other things, the transmission fluid and filter were changed regularly, looks like 60,000 mile intervals.

Have someone who knows these cars do an inspection (or learn how yourself). The spring perches are the biggest failure point from rust, I am told. Rust will probably be your biggest challenge. Maybe you can find a "summer car."

Jeremy

notfarnow · #33 01-04-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I love your sig, 1996 VW regret.

I know your pain! Hopefully you can get into a real car soon!

Ha, I noticed your signature. I take it you're in the same boat... I can't afford to maintain a VW so I'm buying a Benz

. That'd make a good bumper sticker

This thread has been great, lots of fantastic advice. Greatly appreciated! Keeping my fingers crossed for monday's PPI at an independant Benz specialist. Will fly in and pick up the car on Friday if everything checks out.

suburbanviking · #34 01-04-2008, 04:32 PM

Add me to the list of MBZ diesel guys that are making a "to-do" check list for future purchase of an e300d. While I'd like to make it 2008, the purchase is probably 1-2 years away. Until then, I'll enjoy my 300SD.

.....Dan

Skid Row Joe · #35 01-04-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbitss

Hello....

I've been lurking and taking notes as I am waiting (and waiting) for a 98 E300D... The PO is waiting for his new GL Diesel to arrive before I get the E300D which will go to the Dealer for a check up before we finalize the deal.... I will be the 2nd owner and the PO has all the service records...
I want to thank everyone for contributing to my laundry list of things the dealer should check on...

Joe

You're welcome, Joe!

Skid Row Joe · #36 01-04-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I love your sig, 1996 VW regret.

I know your pain! Hopefully you can get into a real car soon!

I LMAO! When I read the "regret-a-Jetta," too!

Skid Row Joe · #37 01-04-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vahe

On the subject of spring perches for 210 MB's:

We have a relative who works for a MB dealership in Canada, according to him all 210 cars sold by that dealership that are coming in for service get their spring perches fixed, they acknowledge the problem and take care of it.

Here is USA, the MB of North America totally denies of any issues in connection with perches and will not fix the problem free of cost.

Vahe

Is this widespread on the 210s? Do all of them go bad?

notfarnow · #38 01-04-2008, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

I LMAO! When I read the "regret-a-Jetta," too!

Ha, you might enjoy the "farewell" I just posted on another forum:

Goodbye, you hateful wench

Parrot of Doom · #39 01-04-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Actually, that's been my experience as well, although not particular to these cars. I once made the mistake of changing the transmission fluid on my girlfriend's jetta that has 200k miles. The car worked fine, but it had never been changed and I thought I was doing her a fovor. Never saw third gear again.

Then I think that the box had a blockage or fault that wasn't a barrier to the old fluid. It was probably a ticking time bomb anyway.

Parrot of Doom · #40 01-04-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Is this widespread on the 210s? Do all of them go bad?

No.

Skid Row Joe · #41 01-04-2008, 06:20 PM

Parrot of Doom: Thanks!

notfarnow: Super good luck on your trip to close the deal on that '99! Ask as many Qs you can think of, before the flight!

skydog · #42 01-04-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Hi folks,

I'm a long term lurker, and I've been reading voraciously about the 96-99 e300d's. Lots of great info here and I'm ready to take the plunge.

I have a car that I'm considering. It's a 99 with 259 k kms (160k miles). black on black. He's asking 16.5, which is about average up here in Canada.

-The battery is new
-Glow plugs all new in 2005
-fuel lines from shutoff to filter new last year
-front spring perches done 2 years ago
-comes with winter + summer tires on rims
-3rd owner, dealer maintained since new with complete records

The price seems "about" right, I hope to knock it down a little. It's 1000 kms away, but I'm sending someone by to look at it tomorrow before I have it inspected by an independant Mercedes shop next week.

Is there anything in particular I should have them look for?

Mines for sale in Ct. under Skydog see post and get on the phone and talk, phone is best 203-543-1295 home 203-268-5845 has 92k mi.

nhdoc · #43 01-04-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skydog

Mines for sale in Ct. under Skydog see post and get on the phone and talk, phone is best 203-543-1295 home 203-268-5845 has 92k mi.

Why can't people simply read the thread and understand that he's in CANADA and can't import a US spec car there! He's explored it and found it just won't work so he is stuck buying a Canadian spec car.

He knows the cars are cheaper in the US but that does him no good...we've been through this already.

nhdoc · #44 01-04-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Yes as far as I know all 210's in Canada are getting their perches done. This one had them done 2-3 years ago.

Apparently this car has spent its summers in Florida, so that's a big plus

Hope you mean winters in Florida.

notfarnow · #45 01-05-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skydog

Mines for sale in Ct. under Skydog see post and get on the phone and talk, phone is best 203-543-1295 home 203-268-5845 has 92k mi.

I can't bring one up from the US, wish I could but they are blocked for importation. FWIW, some of your previous posts about the car don't exactly instill confidence, may want to edit them before telling people to check previous posts about your car for sale.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

He knows the cars are cheaper in the US but that does him no good...we've been through this already.

LOL, thanks. I was starting to feel like I was yelling into my lunchbox.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

Hope you mean winters in Florida.

Yes, that's what I meant, I just hope that's what the seller meant!

Question: The PPI mechanic (a mercedes specialist and diesel guru) said he would do a compression test if I wanted, but he really didn't feel there would be much value in it. It would add ~2 hrs labor to the PPI. Thoughts?