I am asking for some help..... I am looking at a 1996 E320 with 97K original one owner car. I have had several older Mercedes but this would be the "newest." Any problems with these 210's? I will get over 1 1/2" of paperwork. Clean CarFax, shows NO accidents, one owner, and 21 service records. I think it is a good buy at $6995. It is white with parchment leather. No dents or scratches. Traded into a BMW dealer. Always been in NJ. Any words of wisdom, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Spring pearches,they should have been replaced,so,you dont get killed driving it,engine wire harness,leaks,rust...plus,its really a nothing car...price is relevant just for you,as the buyer,if you are happy with it,that is fine...one can find a nice E300 diesel for the money,more economical,nicer to drive and I belive one can find a newer sedan,like 2000 E320 for the money,with a smoother engine and a 5 speed trannie,you will cruise at 80 mph at 3000 rpm not at 4000 rpm and burn at lot less gas...

Model year 1996 cars, E320 included, don't have bad wiring harnesses.

The transmission is still the 722.4 four speed transmission used in earlier W124 chassis E320 cars, and it is a reliable, trouble-free transmission. When it does go out, they are shamefully inexpensive to repair. Here in So. Cal. you can get a rebuild transmission for $1,500 installed with a one year warranty.

The M104 inline-6 engine is one of the smoothest engines on the planet. It sounds like a Swiss watch. In comparison, the V6 3.2 liter used in 1998 and later E320s, is not nearly as smooth and doesn't have the same beautiful mechanical song. Drive them back-to-back and it is obvious. You have to get an E430 to get the same level of smoothness.

Look for head gasket leaks at the right rear corner of the head gasket.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Sounds like a nice, well kept car. The price seems rather high, given the model year and miles. I would think you could get into a 98/99/00 model year for that kind of money.

Drive it and see if you like it. But bargain hard on the price.

I just spoke to the servicing dealer since 1996. It is a one owner MB. He noted some things that might concern me:
Needs front lower ball joints
Interior rearview mirror - shakes, said to put a business card behind it or its $900 to replace??
Front bumper cover was replaced but not reported on CarFax.

After all of this I was going to offer $5,500, fair?

Any thoughts, Thanks, Tim

I have spent almost 30 days on this car. I am down to $5,700. Why would the cylinder head have been replaced at 30,152 on 1-15-2009??
Should this concern me?
Current mileage is 97,500

I have enclosed some photos.

Thanks, Tim

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