I am going to test drive a 95 300E diesel on Tuesday. Are these reliable cars? Any problems that I should look for? Any owner inpeu will be appreciated. TIA Jay

__________________
Thank you, Jay
83MB 300D 241K "The silver coffin"
10 Prius lll 1K
95 MB E300D 120K Mable
02 Saab 9-5 Areo 131K
Cannondale SR500
www.thecornerstonefamily.org/

Jay,

The car you describe is actually not a 300E, rather an E300D. The '95 was the last of the 124 series cars. This car had a non turbo diesel that used a resonance intake system in lieu of a turbocharger. This engine was carried forward several years in the 210 E Class cars. These engines are complex and more difficult to work on than your 123 300D. The car itself is much more complex to work on itself.

All that said, sitting in the drivers seat of one of these cars is a real pleasure compared to your 123 car. Don't expect this car to be as easily or economically maintained, but they are very nice and more fuel efficient than a 123 series turbodiesel.

Hope this helps,

Thank you, Larry. That was the info I needed. Jay

__________________
Thank you, Jay
83MB 300D 241K "The silver coffin"
10 Prius lll 1K
95 MB E300D 120K Mable
02 Saab 9-5 Areo 131K
Cannondale SR500
www.thecornerstonefamily.org/

Jay,

I ditto what Larry said. I have had mine about a year. It has about 69K miles and I have had a couple of leaks (oil sender unit and the diesel fuel pump tubing which turned out to be a couple of 'o' rings) and the rear seal in the transmission. I have replaced the glow plug control box also.

But that said - the 606 engine has plenty of power for a non-turbo and this thing grows a set of legs at about 60 mph that will run like a thoroughbred up to the electronic limit (I suppose since I have never taken it that far) of 130 mph. This is indeed an Autobahn Auto!

I primarily reserve my E300 for road trips in Texas - long stretches of open road. The wind noise is minimal allowing you to actually enjoy the sound system. This is my first MBZ and I will tell you - the 95 E300 earned a Consumer Guide "Best Buy" award. I would not be a bit concerned about buying a well maintained 95. Check the service records though and talk to the owner if you can.

Good luck

I was in your position about 6 months ago. Same car, a '95 E300D. Since then, I managed to total the one I did buy, and bought another just like it! So I've got a bit of E300D experience now.

That said, I don't think there is anything in particular to "worry" about with these cars. As with any used car, the usual "rules" apply. A detailed Pre Purchase Inspection by a trusted mechanic is worth it. And hopefully the owner has the service records.

Tell the current owner that you would like to witness a "cold" start, so he shouldn't warm it up prior to your inspection. My GP lamp stays lit for maybe 10 - 15 seconds at temps from 20 - 35 F, and the car starts instantly after the lamp goes off. Look for a lot of smoke on startup - a little is normal but not a lot. Some nailing/clattering is normal on a cold start, but it should go away after a few seconds (depending on the temp). Oil pressure gauge should rise almost instantly.

Test cruise control, make sure trip odometer works (reset it), make sure clock works. There should be NO diesel smell around the car unless the fuel filter was just changed. Strong diesel smell = leak somewhere. Test radio, make sure antenna goes up and down.

Test headrest motors and seats. Observe wiper for smooth operation. Ask about fuel mileage. Minimum for this car is 30 on mostly highway driving, should be more like 30 - 35.

Test HVAC control. Put on auto, econ position. See if heat starts by itself when car shows about 50C on temp gauge. (assuming you are in a cold place!) Select defrost - fan should go to high and air should be routed to windshield. Make sure air comes out dash vents when A/C is selected.

When the car is fully warm (mine shows about 80 - 85C in this cold weather), floor it on the highway when you are already traveling at 60 or so - some smoke is normal but you should not see black clouds. Make sure tranny kicks down when you floor it. You can feel the kickdown switch at the bottom of the pedal travel, but it should probably downshift before that.

Look for plastic belly pan under engine - they are often discarded when they get damaged. Also they are often saturated with old diesel and the sound insulation is a diesel sponge. It's not a crisis not to have one, but it's some real money to replace.

All I can think of for now. Let us know if you buy it and send us a pic!

Rgds,
Chris W.

i have in the recent past purchased two diesels with moderately pitted windshields. noticable only at specific sun angles. feel stupid. perhaps you could avoid my fate by checking closely. adjust price accordingly.

Thank you for that advice, Chris and Janko. My wife just called and she has the day off Tuesday so we can get to the dealer early in the morning for a COLD start. I'll report back . Jay

__________________
Thank you, Jay
83MB 300D 241K "The silver coffin"
10 Prius lll 1K
95 MB E300D 120K Mable
02 Saab 9-5 Areo 131K
Cannondale SR500
www.thecornerstonefamily.org/

Sorry, I forgot to thank Mike. Thanks Mike. Jay

__________________
Thank you, Jay
83MB 300D 241K "The silver coffin"
10 Prius lll 1K
95 MB E300D 120K Mable
02 Saab 9-5 Areo 131K
Cannondale SR500
www.thecornerstonefamily.org/

My wife and I took the Benz for a test drive this morning. It was nice but I wasn't "wowed". Everything worked, but I forgot to check the cruise control. What I didn't like was the lack of leg room and that there are no service records for the second owner. The first owner had the service book stamped. I let you all know if we buy it. Thanks again to all, Jay

__________________
Thank you, Jay
83MB 300D 241K "The silver coffin"
10 Prius lll 1K
95 MB E300D 120K Mable
02 Saab 9-5 Areo 131K
Cannondale SR500
www.thecornerstonefamily.org/

We made the dealer an offer this morning, it don't look good. We raised one time but they didn't bite. I will what until Saturday to see if they change there minds. If not we will start shopping again. Jay

__________________
Thank you, Jay
83MB 300D 241K "The silver coffin"
10 Prius lll 1K
95 MB E300D 120K Mable
02 Saab 9-5 Areo 131K
Cannondale SR500
www.thecornerstonefamily.org/

If you are not "wowed" by the car then I would not make any further offers. Be sure it is the vehicle you want because when the dealer sees you are serious about walking he may come after you.

The used car market is over-crowded right now - too many cars chasing too few buyers means economic "buyer's market". There are plenty more of these MBZs out there - just look around and look at them critically.

I am the second owner and I continue to have my book stamped by my independent service garage just like it was MBZ. This way the third owner will know and not guess at what I had done.

Good luck,
Mike

We bought her. We will pick her up Saturday afternoon. I will post pictures soon. Thanks again for all the advice. Jay

__________________
Thank you, Jay
83MB 300D 241K "The silver coffin"
10 Prius lll 1K
95 MB E300D 120K Mable
02 Saab 9-5 Areo 131K
Cannondale SR500
www.thecornerstonefamily.org/

I would like to think the dealer "saw the light"? Anyway congratulations and looking forward to seeing the pics.

Mike

Mike, I don't know if he saw the light, but he did lower the price another $2300. I will post pics when I find someone with a digital camera. Thanks again to all for your advice.

__________________
Thank you, Jay
83MB 300D 241K "The silver coffin"
10 Prius lll 1K
95 MB E300D 120K Mable
02 Saab 9-5 Areo 131K
Cannondale SR500
www.thecornerstonefamily.org/