1998-99 300 td anybody have problems? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

grease lightnig · #1 09-04-2003, 08:45 PM

I am seriously considering a 1998 300 turbodiesel with CDI engine anybody have problems with these?

Does the A/C go out every other year and cost $2000 to fix. Is the transcooler going to leak antifreeze into the transmission. Is it going to have a bent rod and burn two quarts of oil every 300 miles?

Or will it be the best car I've ever owned.

I am looking at one with 22,000 miles. Is there such a thing as to low of miles like the a/c seals all dry out and leak or other things that could go wrong from not driving.

My wife wants me to get a newer TDI VW. Anything less than $10K has 100k miles and do not really look that good.

For the price of a 1998 300 I could get a fully loaded TDI Jetta or Golf and still have money left over and a warranty.

I had an older (1993 300 SD) and all of the above things happened to it. I am not sure I would want a 80's benz diesel. Are they really that good?

kerry · #2 09-04-2003, 08:50 PM

I'll let everyone else answer the details. My only comment is that almost nobody on this list would consider a 1998 300 old since most of the posters driver the 70's and 80's 616 or 617's.

Gilly · #3 09-04-2003, 09:38 PM

Those 98-99's are pretty good cars, here's a few problems that come to mind:
I've seen some cars of this era, especially the 97 E420's and the Diesels of all those years, break off spring mounting perches (on the subframe assembly), need to get a body shop to install a new one. Not super-common, but I've seen it more than once. Also for some reason I've seen a few Diesels around this era have a seized front wheel bearing, resulting in needing a new front steering knuckle. No idea why I've only seen this on Diesels.
Rear axle seals on 202's and 210's I've noticed you will find leaking or at least seeping oil, the seals of course are replaceable.
Other than that, hmmmmmmm, well all 210's are kinda noted for weak rear window regulators.
Also on 98-99's you have that smartkey system, you may love it or hate it, I think they're kinda neat, but expensive to get a new key, and the keys can fail.
All in all nice cars though, I'd buy one.

Gilly

slowmoe · #4 09-04-2003, 09:40 PM

So far I have owned a '83 W123 300D, a '92 W124 and now W210 E300D. The W210 in the short time I have owned it has proven to be the most comfortable, quietest, and all around best performing car of the bunch.

With that said, I must mention that I am disappointed in the handling characteristics, quality of interior materials, and reliability thus far. Please note that I have only owned my 210 for 6K. However, just recently I learned that at only 75K I will be needing new ball joints and a belt tensioner. These are parts that lasted 175K on my 124 before needing to be replaced. This does not bode well with me, especially in the light of the fact that Satan's gift to the automotive industry - our Jeep Grand Cherokee - still has it's origional tensioner and ball joints at 130K. It is difficlut for me to believe that Jeep is now sourcing better parts than MB.

Be that as it may, I would not expect the same problems with the newer 210 as you did with the SD. The issues and expences associated with the SD's with he 3.5 turbo are well documented - rest in the fact that you will not see that same ones with the 210.

Please note that my car (a '96) is different than yours in that it has a the normally aspirated engine (no turbo) and the 4sp non-electronic transmission. My mechanic happens to believe that the electronic transmission (98 on) are only good for about 100 - 150K - even if you service them. I am sure there are several other diferences but these are the major ones to me anyway.

The short of it is: 1) MB quality has declined, 2)your old SD was a money pit off the assembly line 3) the 210 is still an awesome machine that will provide decades of economical service - just with a little less quality

dmorrison · #5 09-04-2003, 09:58 PM

My posts on our 99 E300. Which we sold 3 months ago.

I don't find the newer Mercedes to be as reliable as the pre 90-92 period.

How much maintenance is to much, or. Is she a shop queen or not.

My 99 E300 is on probation and not doing well

Dave

ohcaptainron · #6 09-04-2003, 10:15 PM

I owned a 98 diesel for 45k miles.
Things I liked, excellent power fun to drive. Very reliable, with the exception of cup holders absolute junk. The car always started even on the coldest days. The transmission requires getting used to, to me it never really felt quite right, driver adaptive, it tried to second quess and learn your driving style, frankly that is not an area that in my mind requires automation. ESP system on the other hand is remarkable, almost impossible to get the car sideways even in the snow and ice.
BUILD QUALITY, not that impressive, quality of materials not very good compared to the pre 96 cars, I hated the seats very very uncomfortable. Bose stereo just average, Economy descent 27 around town 33+ on the highway. Excellent highway cruiser, Drove from Moab UT. to Grand Junction middle of the summer on 1-70 100+ degrees at 125+ mph for two hours temp guage never moved the car was rock solid.
The car overall was good not great. They now are getting very reasonable high teens low twenty's, at that price point I think they represent good value.
Ron
1985 300TDT
1993 300D
1999 E320 AWD WAGON
2003 E55 AMG
2004/5 E320 CDI on order now delivery in April UFB

Dana B. · #7 09-04-2003, 11:08 PM

While I cannot comment on the E300ds, the TDIs are a blast to drive. Not as stately as the MB, but more nimble in city traffic and more fuel stingy on the highway.

TDIs do have their problems (see the FAQ at www.tdiclub.com). In addition, finding a good indy mechanic that knows how to correctly change their timing belts, etc., is nearly impossible.

DslBnz · #8 09-04-2003, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grease lightnig
I am seriously considering a 1998 300 turbodiesel with CDI engine anybody have problems with these?

The E300 turbodiesels were NOT CDI engined cars. Those engines debuted in Europe in '00 after Mercedes redesigned the W210 and made the nose of the car shorter. The old E300's engine was too long to fit in the newer facelifted E-Class.

The E300 turbodiesels were the last of the Mercedes IDI cast-iron block(but aluminum head) diesels. Now Mercedes markets all-aluminum diesels with so many electronic gizmos it would make your head spin!

Get several old 300D's instead of the E300 if you want to spend that kind of money. Believe me, the E300 will depreciate quickly once the CDI's are released on the US market!:p

**
Always buy MB's under $10K. Then baby the car for it's life. Instead of losing $40K on your car, you'll only lose $5K in depreciation if you ever decide to get rid of it. Keep it forever, in excellent shape, and one day it will be worth more than what you paid for it!

dmorrison · #9 09-05-2003, 01:22 AM

Always buy MB's under $10K. Then baby the car for it's life. Instead of losing $40K on your car, you'll only lose $5K in depreciation if you ever decide to get rid of it. Keep it forever, in excellent shape, and one day it will be worth more than what you paid for it

Amen. I used too follow this advise and then we bought a 99 E300. Loved the car, It drove great. 38MPG DFW to OSU and back on 1 tank of gas. Handled great.
But alas a shop queen, And I had 3 other Mercedes to compare it to sitting in my driveway. As I said above, I won't buy anything after the 90-92 range.

Dave