To Starmark or not to Starmark...that is the question

[slowmoe]

Well, I am considering a 99 E300...again. This one is black with oyster leather and 47K. They want $32,000 for it. It is Sarmarked for the next year. I would have to purchase another year for $895 to get me to 100K under a warrantee.

The issues with these cars I have read are:

- MAS sensors
- Computer boards (surging)
- Bad glowplugs

If this is all, is buying a Starmarked car really worth it. Would I be better off getting one with 100K on it already and saving some bucks?

Or should I get I non starmarked one with similar miles and save a few grand? The Starmarking for this particular vehical included a new key, new spare tire, an oil change and check over - not very impressive!! I could do all that myself.

What does scare me about the above is that I have not seen many 98 or 99 E300's with over 100K on this board. I am unfamiliar with what may pop up. I would really hate to have to put trans or some other major item into one that otherwise would be covered under a warrantee I was too cheap to buy.

I will be likely running this car for 250-300K. Does anyone have experience with these models after 100K. What might I expect?

[dmorrison]

Just so you know the glow plugs are not covered under the starmark or the extended warrentee form Mercedes. $585 to replace the glow plugs at the dealer.
Rear window lifts were breaking alot.
Antenna switching wywtem.
Dash cracks.
Motor mounts.
Fog light bulb sockets redesigned do to breaking.
Rear light assemblies replaced do to bad bulb contacts.
Had my tranny worked on 3 times in the forst 50,000 mi
Heres the list for my 99 E300 under the 50,000 mi warrentee

glow plugs 3X
---1 had to clean glow plug holes, glow plugs OK
---2 had to replace 1 glow plug
---3 had to replace 2 more so they replaced them all
Transmision 4X
----Transmision control module replaced
----Transmission parking interlock cable connection replaced
----Transmission electrical connection seal replaced
----Transmission Pump replaced
Radio 7X (written up 7X)maybe its just me.
----keep losing the stereo depth that you hear with stereo
----they had it 3 weeks and I still hear it.
----radio replaced
----ant amp
----connections loose, tightened
----ant switch unit
Both front door panels caused by seat belts 1X
Seat belts, both front
3 sets of front brake pads, that seems about right through
Engine mounts 1X
Serpentine belt 1X, damaged caused by poor work 1X
Rear lights both replaced
Climate control 1X unit replaced due to a BURNT OUT BULB!!!!
Steering wheel 1X replaced, coming unraveled
Instrument dash panel replaced, glue comming through on it
Ash tray door inop/replaced
Cup holder door inop/replaced
Child seat sensor inop/replaced
Turn signal combo switch inop/replaced
Mass air flow sensor replaced
INJECTION PUMP replaced
Banjo bolt replaced
Volume air flow sensor replaced
Window ant amplifier replaced
Seat track cover replaced
C pillar replaced
Drivers seat adjuster replaced
I am amazed how many light bulbs burn out on this car compared to my others. We always drive with our lights on, In all our cars.
this one has gone through 3X as many bulbs as my other cars.

And the one that seems to happen most often
State inspection expires every year at the exact same time!!!!

I sold the car 3 weeks ago. We sold it because of the history and primarily becasue I fly for American Airlines. Company is on the ropes right now and we wanted to eliminate all debts.

Would I buy another Mercedes E300. I'm afraid not. A Honda/Acura is more reliable and 1/2 the cost. Do I still like Mercedes. The older ones. 300TD, 560SL and out 300SDL are great. But at $45,000 for the E300 It should not be a shop queen.

What I would look for is a 300SDL. Try to find a real nice low milage one. The E300 was a great car to drive but I think the 300SDL is even nicer.

Dave

[Rick Miley]

Well, I haven't had nearly the amount of problems Dave has had, but would still highly recommend getting the Starmark. BTW, glow plugs and dash cracks are not covered and I've had both.

At 90,000 miles I complained about a minor downshifting problem that I could easily have lived with. Diagnosis was the clutch packs were out of spec. The entire transmission was rebuilt under warranty. I'd hate to see the bill for that one.

The extended warranty has also paid for rear window regulators (both within a month) and a new MAS. That's all I can think of at the moment.

[slowmoe]

Wow!! Dave you really make me start thinking more about a Lexus product - LS or GS.

Rick, you regained my confidence some, but not much. To me there is no excuse for a trans, or a dash going south in less than 100K.

Are all those posts about MB quality decline in recent years true? Based on these two posts I may consider it. Also, if this is what happens within the first 100K what will happen at 100K+?

Dave, I would consider an older car, but I am in sales and often have superiors and/or clients with me. In addition to projecting a "professional" appearance, I drive 30k+ and am looking for more reliability.

Oh, how I wish for a 5-series or GS/LS diesel. I can hardly believe I am saying this after so many years with MB!!!

Is there anyone there with with better experiences?

[DslBnz]

The E300 turbodiesel, I'm sure, has an engine that could easily go 400K + miles. But the one thing that gets in the way is the maintenence costs. There are so many electrical parts to these new cars(not just diesels) it is ridiculous.

The reason people liked old diesels was for their ability to never leave you stranded on the roadside. They were all mechanical. To me, simplicity is important in a car. I like a car that will go the long haul with only regular mechanical maintenence to be adressed at proper intervals. I also like to be able to tinker around with my car. In the new ones the tranny is sealed, and the injector pump is controlled by a computer(I think).

Technology is nice, but the more stuff that you add, the more stuff has potential for breaking.

I just trust my own hands better than some silly computer.

Just my .02

[Dana B.]

Slowmoe, what's wrong with your 300D 2.5T? After a rebuild and paint job, mine's cherry. If your's is close to it, should last years and still provide that professional gloss.

[joshhol]

slowmoe,
An SDL would surely be impressive, especially if they ride in the back seat. Ridiculous amounts of legroom there.
BUT, be aware of their cylinder heads.

[JimSmith]

slowmoe,

I think your question concerned whether or not you should buy an extended (Starmark or other) warranty if you buy another E300D Turbodiesel ('98 or '99). I would vote "yes" and wish I had included another year or two on mine.

I have yet to have a uniquely Diesel failure that was not covered by the Starmark warranty, or at least helped by it. Howver, there are some very poor design choices on this Diesel engine that make working on things like the glow plugs, fuel lines and other items buried by the intake manifold more expensive. Having to remove the intake manifold to gain access to these items transforms what used to be pretty routine maintenance to something many of us would rather have a dealer perform. It also seems none of these items under the intake manifold is a Starmark warranty item....

The bulk of my Starmark warranty work has been to correct general weaknesses of the W210 chassis, not Diesel issues. Consequently, as it ages I see the prospect of repairs as pretty scary. A warranty would help with some of that. The rest is just going to have to force an old dog to learn some new tricks, like getting the intake manifod off...and back on correctly.

Good luck, Jim

[gsxr]

This shouldn't even be a question. Absolutely get the Starmark. You will be insanely happy when it pays for the first major repair. Get it for as long as possible, because even if you don't keep the car that long, it will greatly (IMO) increase resale value and potential. I wouldn't go near a newer MB (late 90's & up) without a Starmark on it... the old stuff (80's) you could fix yourself, but not anymore!


Good luck,

I bought my car with 39K a year ago on the odo and it now has 58K. Before I bought it, it had the glow plug relay replaced. Other than routine maintenance, all I have done is replace the MAS, which ended up at about $300.

I love this car. I like the way it sounds, handles, accelerates, goes 700mi on a tank of fuel....I really don't have any complaints. Now, if glow plugs and transmissions start going, we'll see, but this car has lived up to my expectations, and I looked for it for a solid year.

btw, if you get one, don't get the leather--go mb tex. a friend of miine has almost the identical car to mine, but leather, and the leather is noticeably worn even though it has been well cared for. my mbtex on the other hand looks brand new.

[gsxr]

You can make that leather look like new with Leatherique. Incredible stuff. If the color gets worn off, you can re-dye it. I've seen 15+ year old MB leather restored with the Leatherique treatment and the results are astounding. But yes, Tex is a little more durable and requires less maintenance...

Sloemoe, I see you live in PA in the snow belt. When I put new snow tires on the TD I was very impressed. It is a very good car in the snow for a rear wheel drive car. Good climbing capabilites in the snow too. it has the ASR defeat switch too which is very handy in the snow. I would recommend the Starmark package, as far out as you can get. Driving this car changes the way one drives cars because of the acceleration and turbo features. I plan to keep mine forever. You won't be sorry.

[73MB280SEL]

Man you'all are scaring me about buying a newer MB. I can't believe all the problems you have been having. Is the W211 any better? Maybe it hasn't been out long enough.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to buy more older ones so I can keep at least some of them running.

Sholin

Stereo will swich to mono when signal strengh is lacking, BTW.

[dallasdonnie]

I have a '98 E300 and have had minor issues. Paid $26K with 24000 miles. Replaced MAS sensor, blower switch, and soon blower motor - high pitched noise. Using a well recommended mechanic instead of Mercedes has proven a wallet saver. Startmark sounds good but a lot to pay for. My car runs great and I get between 26 and 30 miles per gallon. While it's had a few bugs, it's still a great car.