I'll have yet another story in favor of the Starmark in a day or two when I get my car back. It's really a no brainer, especially when you find a service writer who is willing to work for you.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

I will be looking at another 99 E300 today. 66K with Harmon Kardon, and leather. They want $32K. That sounds high, but it is from the dealership and Starmarked.

The more recent posts have regained some of my confidence in these cars but not all. I just can't imagine not driving an MB. At the same time, I don't ever want to feel like I made a $30K mistake.

Thanks for all the replys -

Any thoughts on work that might need to be done between 100 and 200K?

__________________
1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

If you are in the market for a 35K used car why not wait until next year and get a NEW CDI e-class. The 210 turbodiesels are nice but from the early reviews the new E-class body with the CDI engine will be a world beater. For the extra 10K you would get a better car with a 4 year/50K bumper to bumper coverage and I'm also quite sure your clients would be more impressed with a new e-class.

Plus it would get a new CDI into circulation therby increasing the supply pool for me to buy a used example in 5-10 years!

Tim

I've never for one second felt like buying the E300 was a mistake. It's an absolute joy to drive.

Do some research about that Harmon Kardon stereo. In 1999, the upgraded stereo for MB was a Bose, which I have. AFAIK, the H-K would be a aftermarket and require ripping out every piece of the original stereo.

As for there being a $10K difference between an E300 and an E320CDI, good luck with that. The minimum price for a CDI will be $50K, not $45K, and I doubt that you'll see one less than $55K. But it was a good try Tim.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

IMO, $32k sounds EXTREMELY high unless the car has very low miles (like, 20-30kmi) and is flawless inside & out. I'd play hardball on the price. Shop AutoTrader and Cars.com for the same year/model nationwide to get a feel for average pricing. I'd offer mid-20's to start and walk out at least once. You can always come back and offer more. Those of us who are not independently wealthy gotta play the dealer's sales game, unfortunately.

__________________
Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

I did the "build your own" option on the MB website a few days ago. I wound up looking at close to $60K on a new MB when all was said and done. I drive way too much to buy any car new. I just can't live with the depreciation.

Rick, that is interesting info on the HK stereo. I thought that they came with what is called the "E2 Value Added Package." I will ask the dealer today.

I think $32K is way too high as well. I think a more reasonable price is in the high 20's. I will let you know what I find out. Thanks.

__________________
1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

Don't forget to budget for a new set of wheels, unless the bottle caps have been replaced already. They're impossible to clean. Big Smokey gets a new set of shoes

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

You guys are correct - I thought I remembered that the estimated MSRP for a CDI was going to be something like 43K - I checked the most recent Star article and I see the estimated price is more like 48K.

There was a recent thread about the price of W210 Turbodiesels being too high - I think the value of these cars has been inflated by the notion that they would be the LAST Mercedes diesels due to emissions regulations. This has caused a supply/demand imbalance for nuts like us who are looking for a newer MB Diesel. I predict that the value of W210 turbodiesels will drop like a dot com stock from its current 10-15K higher that a comparable W210 gas engine car when the new CDI is in circulation. If that does happen you won't have made a 30K mistake but it could be a 10-12K mistake.

This is all pure speculation on my part - I do agree with Mick the W210 turbo is a great driving car - even at 32K

Best of luck - Tim

This is all true. However, the previous E-Class values did not drop considerably when the '03's came out. Just a thought...

__________________
1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

You won't be able to play hardball on the price with this car. There is a waiting list at the two local dealers for a used 98/99 E300. I started a war when I intercepted mine, which the PO had intended on trading for a new S500.

I paid just under 30 for mine with 36K on it over a year ago. Bad business? Maybe--but man this car is awesome (and I would have to say flawless)

Get one man!!

a

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