My wife and I are on the market for a nice safe quiet baby carrier, perhaps a 2000 or newer e-series wagon. Our budget is up to $15K, but I don't really want to get into a high maintenance option, as I try to perform all the maintenance myself, and I'm finding I have less time for auto repairs and maintenance. Oh, and good mileage is important, as this vehicle will be mostly used for hwy commuting, say 60 miles per day round trip at 5-days per week.

I'm curious if some on the board have any thoughts on what we might search for (year & model) and what might be some of things to watch for with that particular year/model. I've already got the '89 300E, and have become fairly adept at identifying issues and maintaining that vehicle, so it would be helpful to me to find a newer model that has similar engine and technical issues, which will help me maximize my current knowledge when taking care of this new one we plan to purchase.

Thanks in advance to those with comments and suggestions.

__________________
Steven
1989 260E (276K miles)
1995 E320 (50K miles)

I think a well cared for, low mileage 2000-2002 E320 wagon is a good option for your budget. Most likely you'll have to deal with some nagging electrical issues, but overall they're good cars. Just make sure you don't get an abused Northern one, as these are particularly rust prone, especially in the spring perches. At 25mpg highway it would be decent for the long commute.

At $15,000, you'll also be in the league of the new body style E-class (2003-up), but probably only for high mileage ones. They are also much more complex vehicles and not DIY friendly.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

MB's suck.

Therefore, you should buy my 2005 Acura MDX Touring/Nav/DVD. The ultimate baby mobile!

If you decline, MB's will no longer suck in my next post, and I'll offer some advice.

Bruce

Thanks so much for the reply. When you mention low-mileage, are you referring to less than 100K, or less than some other figure?

Found this 89K miles 2001 e320 wagon and wonder if this is typical of value in this model.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=279059532&dealer_id=41961786&car_year=2001&rdm=1276032168646&lastStartYear=1981&model=E320&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2000&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=128&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=57350670&showZipError=n&make=MB&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=WAGON&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=94123&advanced=&end_year=2002&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=22&standard=false

Also, what does "4MATIC" mean in this model?

__________________
Steven
1989 260E (276K miles)
1995 E320 (50K miles)

Sorry, but I'm going to have to decline. But I can't wait to hear your advice

__________________
Steven
1989 260E (276K miles)
1995 E320 (50K miles)

4matic means it is all wheel drive. Probably not required in SF, unless you like to go skiing. It's a different system than the old 124 4matic, and not problematic.

Down here in Texas that price would be rather high for that car & miles, by a good $2K or more. But markets are local.

BTW, the wagon was a 210 through the 2003 model year - it changed to the 211 a year after the sedan. Yeah, I think it's wierd too.

The 210s are good cars. They don't break very often, are reasonably DIY friendly, drive very nicely, get good fool economy, and are very affordable. The biggest challenge you'd face is finding a nice wagon. They tend to be used pretty hard.

I sold my 2001 wagon earlier this year. The buyer flew in from 250 miles away and paid full asking price without even trying to negotiate. He had looked at 15 or more wagons in his (large) home city; mine was the first that did not have a destroyed interior and smelled like baby throwup. Of course, maybe this last item wouldn't really dissuade you much, given your intended use of the car

Yeah, a family member bought a '95 300ce from TX recently, had to have it shipped to CA, but I guess it was worth it because of the condition and price. I'm not opposed to doing the same.

And from your explanation, if I understand you correctly I can search for up to a 2003, because the 210 wagon didn't switch until after the '03 model year. That's interesting, I didn't realize that. Thanks for that tidbit.

I'm curious what $15K will get me in terms of miles in a 2003 e320 wagon. Do you think it's possible to get below 50K miles for that money (maybe in TX)?

__________________
Steven
1989 260E (276K miles)
1995 E320 (50K miles)

One thing to look out for - LATCH system - its a system of hardened loops that you hook car seats to.
- The special hooks/loops for the LATCH system started appearing in cars between 1998 and 2002 - they make installing a baby seat MUCH easier. Not sure when MB started installing them but definitely worth looking for

Funny- there are lots of cars other than E-classes that will hold a car seat, but get better fuel economy. What I don't know is - how well do the C-classes hold up (reliability-wise?)

any car with 4matic will get 1 or 2 mpg less than a 2wd equivalent- if MPG's are that important to you.

-John

__________________
2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

That's correct, you are good through 2003 model year for a wagon.

At this point, $15K should get you any 210 wagon in the US When I listed my clean, 75K mile 2001 for $10K, noone even called.

Low mileage examples are hard to come by - the wagons are purchased to haul around kids and families, so the miles pile up.

Take a look at autotrader.com, that is the best source of listings. You can search specifically for wagons. You might want to take a look at this one in particular: Link It's not too far away, it's a 2002 with 42K, and they aren't too far off your price.

Darn, by the time I got to your Autotrader link the poster took down the listing. But thanks very much for the help. The good news is I've got a few months to research this and find a great vehicle.

Also, I learned today that a law was passed such that all post-2002 vehicles must have the baby seat clips embedded in the back seat. I'm not sure if that include 2002 vehicles, or starts only at 2003, but I can see how having these clips really helps in installing and securing the baby seat.

I've got 2001-2003 e320 searches bookmarked now at Autotrader and at Yahoo Cars, and I'll let you know when I find something exciting. Please keep the suggestions coming, and don't hesitate to post a vehicle you think I should look at.

Thanks again.

__________________
Steven
1989 260E (276K miles)
1995 E320 (50K miles)

I'd strongly recommend a look at a 94-95 e320 wagon-- they are well within your price range, and I think better than any w210 I've seen. Plus the bonus of your w124 knowledge will be helpful, although the m104 engine is a little different (some would say better than the m103, but then again the m103 is a fine powerplant).

There was a black-on-tan one in Petaluma this past week I was thinking about (well, dreaming, really), but I can't find it on CL now. I think it had ~80K on it, which put it squarely into the OK mileage range for my tastes (my max is about 140K). I think it was going for about $5K, and this leaves a lot of room for a new wiring harness and/or head gasket, the two biggest issues. The A/C evaporator would be issue #3 though.

here's one in So. Cal.:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/1782345556.html

...and one in Portland

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/1781438248.html

I know of an immaculate 95 E320 wagon (white with gray tex interior) and only 80,000 miles here locally. He's asking $7000.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Sorry, only just saw this reply. Sounds interesting. If still available, I'd be interested in pursuing.

Anyone know what issues there are with bringing this vehicle into California, with their tight emission regs.

__________________
Steven
1989 260E (276K miles)
1995 E320 (50K miles)

It just has to pass smog and a safety inspection. If the car is in good running order it shouldn't be an issue.

The wagon is still available, and I can give you his contact information if you wish. He was the local chapter MBCA president, and a great mechanic. He's made all the necessary repairs and caught up on all the maintenance.

PM me if you're interested.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!