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  #1  
Old 10-21-2020, 07:00 PM
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'97 E300 D for sale by original owner

Hello to all,
Looked at this car today. Very nice condition. Ran and drove really well.
Was hoping to get some "pro's and con's" in relation to possible ownership.
The seller will def take less. Have no idea what to "look for" or be wary of.
Inline 6, no turbo. Minimal rust, no rust in the "spring perch" areas.
Any and all opinions (especially price/value) will be greatly appreciated....
Thanks!

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/d/ambridge-mercedes-300-diesel/7216720003.html

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  #2  
Old 10-21-2020, 09:57 PM
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I would not buy a W210 with even minimal rust. If you live in a place where a little rust is to be expected, it's better to get a different car. You won't see the rust around the spring perches until they snap off, and the front control arms rust out from the inside and snap off too. The 97s are not that powerful either, and they seem to always have codes for some weird engine related issue.
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  #3  
Old 10-22-2020, 12:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 83w126 View Post
I would not buy a W210 with even minimal rust. If you live in a place where a little rust is to be expected, it's better to get a different car. You won't see the rust around the spring perches until they snap off, and the front control arms rust out from the inside and snap off too. The 97s are not that powerful either, and they seem to always have codes for some weird engine related issue.
Yes to all of that, I did not see mileage in the C/L ad. OM606 Na is no rocket ship. The transmissions are good for around 300K. If you have any glow plug light malfunctions, chances are you have two dead ones. That can be a problem for a non-DIYer.

Edit photo does show 141K on the dash. If that is verifiable, 5.5K is still high if it is a one owner vehicle. It is more than likely being sold by not the original purchaser.
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  #4  
Old 10-23-2020, 04:00 PM
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yeah 5500 is ALL the money for that car and then some. you can have a 2005-06 w211 e320 cdi for way less and that is a far superior car.
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  #5  
Old 10-23-2020, 04:41 PM
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Yeah, it's the original owner. Not concerned about "speed". Drove the car and it was plenty fast, for me. They'll take less. NOT PAYING 5500! In your opinions, what's a decent price?
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  #6  
Old 10-23-2020, 05:49 PM
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Get a price on the spring mount redo job.. One goes out while you are driving. It could be serious.You do not have to see rust present on them.

Your local mercedes dealer would tell you who they sent their customers to. At least the low millage for the year is possible with the original owner.
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  #7  
Old 10-23-2020, 07:14 PM
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Well, the few responses, so far, have turned me against this car. Too bad. It's in great shape and I'm thinkin they'll go 4-4.5K on the price. The spring perches sound like a horror story (what an idiotic design) and I've seen a couple write-ups about the glow plugs that aren't very encouraging, either. Although, they've been recently changed ( a year or two ago) in this car.
It's been listed for a while and I guess the "old adage" applies: "If it's good, it's gone"
Oh well, live to fight another day....
Thanks for the input, to all who contributed.
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  #8  
Old 10-23-2020, 07:31 PM
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Not tryin to be smart a$$, but in my quick search, as far as this goes....
"you can have a 2005-06 w211 e320 cdi for way less and that is a far superior car",
I found NOTHING for "way less" than $5500.......jus sayin. Maybe I wasn't lookin in the "right" place.
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  #9  
Old 10-23-2020, 10:16 PM
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I have a '97 E300D that I have had for about 7 years and like it. The neighbor I bought it from, bought a 2005 211 diesel to replace the one he sold me. He had all types of problems with it. He finally got rid of it an said that was his last Mercedes.

If the spring perches look good they likely are. The price of old cars is almost 100% based on condition. At 4k it should be a good deal if it is rust free and the A/C works. It is a slow car and not very good in hilly country but if you are of advanced age like I am it should work fine. The engine certainly does not stress the drive train.
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  #10  
Old 10-23-2020, 10:54 PM
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Thanks nelbur. The car is pretty much rust free....a couple small spots here and there, but hey, it's the rust belt and 23 years old! I, too, am of "advanced age" and thought the car drove just fine for my current skills and abilities.... The A/C works great! Also, passed the "oil cap test" with flying colors. I mean spectacularly! Kinda "on the fence", now......
On the other hand, what the heck ya gonna get for 4K, these days?
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  #11  
Old 10-23-2020, 11:18 PM
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A "decent" price is what you are willing to pay, as determined by you. No, I'm not advocating one goes off half-cocked with no research as to value. FWIW, look up values at the Kelly Blue Book and NADA websites.

Low-ish miles, one-owner, garage kept: all that adds value. Sure looks nice from the photos. Have you identified any immediate needs it might have? Are service records included? Where is the rust (surface or rot)? What role would this car fill for you?

As for me, I like my somewhat rusty, three shades of white '96 E300 that's clocked almost 220,000 miles. Hasn't given me any trouble. If I were looking for another 210 diesel something like that '97 would certainly catch my eye.
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Last edited by gmog220d; 10-24-2020 at 10:19 AM. Reason: TMI
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  #12  
Old 10-24-2020, 12:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hogweed View Post
yeah 5500 is ALL the money for that car and then some. you can have a 2005-06 w211 e320 cdi for way less and that is a far superior car.
It is rare to see a running non wrecked CDI for under $6500.
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  #13  
Old 10-24-2020, 08:55 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 123boy View Post
Not tryin to be smart a$$, but in my quick search, as far as this goes....
"you can have a 2005-06 w211 e320 cdi for way less and that is a far superior car",
I found NOTHING for "way less" than $5500.......jus sayin. Maybe I wasn't lookin in the "right" place.
Dealer in Miami-- has cdi 172k on clock-- ebay

1st auction- failed -- at $5,400 give or take... either dealer did not like price
(cuz i suspect they BID it UP)... OR buyer ghosted him.

I bought one a year ago from this dealer-- HE WILL fix any thing u want / cheaply prior to u buying-- ex.) Ball joints, mounts, trans service

car looks like it has a NICE service/carfax.

Guessing it goes for $5.7-- $6.5
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  #14  
Old 10-24-2020, 12:29 PM
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i have two 2005 cdi's and i paid less than 2500 for each of them. not saying they are everywhere but you can find them.
actually selling the better optioned one for 'way less' than 5500 right now...
i had a 99 w210 turbo diesel that i sold 2 years ago for 3200 that was pretty well sorted, although it had 220k.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 123boy View Post
Not tryin to be smart a$$, but in my quick search, as far as this goes....
"you can have a 2005-06 w211 e320 cdi for way less and that is a far superior car",
I found NOTHING for "way less" than $5500.......jus sayin. Maybe I wasn't lookin in the "right" place.
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James 4:8

"...let us put aside the blindness of mind of those who can conceive of nothing higher than what is known through the senses"
-Saint Gregory Palamas, ---Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ


Centrally located in North East Central Pa.
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  #15  
Old 10-24-2020, 12:32 PM
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i bought my first 2005 last year from the original owner with 220k on the clock for 2500. car doesn't have a ton of options but mechanically it's fine. i put a grand in it after i bought it doing the flex discs, mounts and trans service
Quote:
Originally Posted by 83w126 View Post
It is rare to see a running non wrecked CDI for under $6500.

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James 4:8

"...let us put aside the blindness of mind of those who can conceive of nothing higher than what is known through the senses"
-Saint Gregory Palamas, ---Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ


Centrally located in North East Central Pa.
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