Common problems with 1998 E300
 

I'm going to look at a 98 e300 and want to know what I should look for. I that they have had problems with the wiring harness. Does anyone have any suggestions. Thanks

Spring perches up front should be closely inspected. Engine is great, with the exception of the glow plugs. This particular engine design has a tendency of having glow plugs break off in the head in the process of removal. Make sure that all the plugs are intact. In some instances, glow plugs have been broken off, and a dummy plug has been connected in order that avoid the check engine light from coming on. Try and get the prior service records if possible. Gives you a heads up on what needs to be done. Good luck!!

I'm not sure how long the wiring harness issue lasted -- Mercedes may have fixed it by the 1998 model year.

X2 on service records, probably the single most telling item you can look for. A person who has a good set of records probably also made sure the service was done when needed. Regular oil/filter changes are the most important single thing you can do to help the engine live a long, happy life.

The climate control system has been known to have expensive problems but that should have happened and been fixed by now -- ask about it. "Needs refrigerant" is almost always an excuse for a larger hidden problem.

Jeremy

From what I've seen there's a small issue with the LCD in the cluster going funny. dead pixels and 'defective display' being shown on said screen. How prevalent this issue is I don't know

Console Pixels
Corrosion in rear seat pan (battery area)
Groaning/Moaning Steering
Rear Bulb sockets
Rear Window Regulators
Rust at exhaust hangers
Rust - Body & around hood emblem
Seat Heater elements
Serpentine Belt Tensioner
Spring Perches
Sunroof operation

Just a few more. Easy fixes all if you don't count your labor time.

Leaky fuel lines. Less than $50 all things considered. Couple hrs time.

Oxidized headlamp covers. $25 all things considered. Couple hrs time.

Blower moter regulator. $25 to $200 or so depending on purchasing new or used or doing modification from W140 model and adapting as on this forum. Couple hrs. time.

EGR delete. $3.00 and 1hr time.

Check A/C codes as on this forum, even though it blows cold. Will tell overall condition of system.

Radio volume control. $3.00, tuner cleaner, and follow the repair procedure as on this forum. 2hrs. time.

Enjoy your "new" diesel Benz

Should I just keep my 85 300SD. The front end needs some work and tires. I have done a lot of work on her, most of it myself and enjoyed every min of it. I run from Topeka Kansas to Oklahoma City once a week and just thought it might be time for a upgrade. The ac on the 98 e300 didnt blow cold at all other than that it looked good. what do you guys think. thanks you guys on peachparts have always been a great help and I appreciate all your help.

My AC and another owner I know both need a top off each Spring. Tepid before; cold after. They are getting old and the hoses and seals don't last forever.

I know of no biodegradable harness' after 95.

World of difference between a W126 and a W210. Drive the w210 for an hour and you'll understand.

Harness racing
 

The a/c could just need topping off or it could need a new compressor ($$$). Use this as a bargaining chip.

Our '96 E300D has the biodegradable wiring harness, unfortunately. Not too bad, the car spent most of its life in the cool air of the Specific Northwest, whereas the '95 is a Texas car and has needed much more wiring harness work, fortunately done by the PO.

Jeremy

X2! Wonderful car!

I love our new 1998 Turbo diesel. Best one we have had. I'd upgrade. Way more comfortable ride and 31 mpg at about 75 mph for us so far.There will be a whole new learning curve on these and i wasn't a big fan of the 606 when it was squezzed in the 1995 W124 but in this W210 chassis , there is plenty of room under the hood and it is a way better fit. And there is a Serpentine Belt. Need I say more. Also ODBII codes. Also, AC climate control has built in diagnostics and codes.

At, 215,000 , all the shocks need replacing. I ordered Bilstein tourings from Phil. Good price at 77.00 and free shipping.

We had to top off the AC. It had a bunch of codes and searching google i found BenzWorld has a nice forum on W210 with stickies and such for just about everything from Tranny to AC. Conclusion for all those codes was to top off AC. I checked if system had any freon by pushing in on valve on low pressure port and it did. Given car sat for a year almost , i figured it was probably pretty tight and so i topped it off. If it leaks out again soon i'll fix the leak. So far , its blows nice and cold over last month.

We have the rear tail light socket problem. New bulb and it still doesn't work.

Another good option with a serpentine belt and a good AC system is a W124 with the 2.5T engine. I love those and they are really easy to maintain.

Is this true for turbos? Did I miss the memo?

Sixto
87 300D

Upgrade to the 98, you will never regret it. I have an '83 123, but only for winter salt use. I love its stately appearance, but will jettison it if I can only have one.

The maintenace is straightforward on the 210, Enjoy your decision !!

I have read somewhere about the EGR delete on the '98 & '99 E300T. I seem to recall the soldering in of a resistor or something to fool the computer. Just putting a BB in the vac line or making a block off plate will throw a code without the wiring mod.

Definitely true for the 98 E300 Turbo. I believe that if you research postings by KarTek you will find the thread. Possibly, "I got it right this time".

Easy to do, but I needed a magnifying glass to read the pin #'s on the ICU connection board.

Did I mention I'm an old guy?