Are 1997 300 diesels good? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jbach36 · #1 01-10-2008, 09:23 PM

Someone has a 1997 diesel for sale, about 80k on it. Anything special to look for? I heard that the turbos on the 5 cylinder models like my 1991, can climb hills better than a 6 cylinder non turbo like the 1997. I know about the glow plugs having problems coming out, and I'm sure they still have a crummy a/c system like ALL previous MB models.

Anything else to look for?

Jeff

Big Jim · #2 01-10-2008, 10:01 PM

front spring perch rot is common on those. jim

TMAllison · #3 01-11-2008, 12:01 AM

Lots written here on the W210 606's. Recently.....

Comming from turbos, i felt the 96-97 to be too slow. I'm baised, and admit it.

Thats very low miles for a 97. As with any car, prior maint is key. A nice thing about the W210 is that you can actually trust the odometer mileage.....

BioPOWER · #4 01-11-2008, 01:19 AM

Find a '98 or '99 turbo.
You'll thank yourself.

Other than that, W210's are great.

uberwgn · #5 01-11-2008, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

Comming from turbos, i felt the 96-97 to be too slow. I'm baised, and admit it.

It's not bias, T, it's reality. It is slow, it's slow compared to just about anything on the road. I had a 1995, same engine.

OTOH, "slow" is relative and the smooth performance of the I6 may be completely acceptable if the majority of driving is around town and you aren't looking to win any drag races. The non-turbo cars certainly enjoy a fuel economy advantage.

Jeff, I don't know what country you're in, or if that "80k" is miles or kms, but that sounds very low. I would consider the car given the limited availability and base a decision on written service history, rust, etc.

Happy hunting!

Skid Row Joe · #6 01-11-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

A nice thing about the W210 is that you can actually trust the odometer mileage.....

Terry,

I'm not so sure that is correct. I know that if you pull one fuse on a '99, the mileage doesn't register as it is driven. I've seen it happen.

TMAllison · #7 01-11-2008, 06:15 PM

Hmmm...havent heard that before. The ECU is stll going to keep track which is probably going to raise a red flag the first time SDS is hooked up to it.

The point I was attempting to make is that it is a digital system and as such is much more reliable than the old mechanical odometers of the 70's & 80's vintage. I've seen lots of W123's where the odo says 100K and the condition of the seats tells you 350K.

Skid Row Joe · #8 01-12-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

Hmmm...havent heard that before. The ECU is stll going to keep track which is probably going to raise a red flag the first time SDS is hooked up to it.

The point I was attempting to make is that it is a digital system and as such is much more reliable than the old mechanical odometers of the 70's & 80's vintage. I've seen lots of W123's where the odo says 100K and the condition of the seats tells you 350K.

That's correct, Terry. The SDS doesn't have the capability to identify the above. Not that I'm aware of anyway.

Thanks.....

Hatterasguy · #9 01-12-2008, 01:43 PM

Great cars, I love the W210.

1996-97's are slow and the early versions.

The only diesel W210 I'd consider is the 1998-99 with the turbo. Although the 2000-02 E320/E430's are the best values on the market these days. As are the E55 AMG's.

Its surprising but you can get an 80k mile 1999 E55 AMG for only a few bucks more than a similer E300D. Screw the diesel get the AMG!

Parrot of Doom · #10 01-12-2008, 04:10 PM

Pfft. You want a 97 turbo

Hatterasguy · #11 01-12-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parrot of Doom

Pfft. You want a 97 turbo

No an E400CDI if he lived in the UK.

nate300d · #12 01-12-2008, 08:50 PM

The 606 engine is very nice. The negative is that some much of the fuel system maintenance/repair requires removal of the intake manifold. I finally attached the intake on my 1999 E300 with Velcro.