Originally Posted by TylerH860

Goodness gracious. Some people are posting to look for/avoid wagons that don't even exist in the US, or at all.

What are you looking for in a car?

211: Best of the breed would be the 2007-2009 because its rid of the SBC brakes and you can get 4 matic. SBC brakes are warrantied for 10 years and unlimited miles, so its really not something to worry about now. I have no fear of owning, buying and selling W211s at the dealership. Airmatic is a pricey thing to fix, but not as bad if you shop around. If you choose to pay $1000 per strut at the dealer, you have no business owning one. That being said, you need the Star computer from the dealer to diagnose things. What I do is take it there for the diagnostic and do the job myself or pay an independent. The computer tells you instantly what to replace, so diagnostics are easy.

Pros: Modern car, modern look, modern conveniences, best ride, and best economy out of the gasoline engines by far.

Cons: All that wonderful technology creates alot to go wrong. Really stupid exploding cup holders in the 2004-2005 cars.

Number I've owned: 5
Miles driven: approx. 25,000

203: If you want to have a modern Mercedes wagon but still be cheap to own, this is the one to have. The best motor combo in my opinion is the C320. Look up the major components on car-part.com and it will show very low prices, meaning high supply and low demand. Miguel drove a W203 C320 back from Colorado for me and averaged 30MPG. I know who owns it currently and its been flawless.

Pros: Many modern conveniences without the Starship Enterprise technology to go wrong. Still has those damned stupid cup holders.

Cons: Die hard Mercedes fans snub the sub-par interior quality. LCD cluster always fades with time and heat. They also have those very stupid cup holders that love to break.

Number I've owned: 3
Miles driven: 3000

210: FUGLY in my opinion. I see so many rusted ones. If you can get one from the South you can avoid that, and with a mostly solid drivetrain it can get the starship mileage mercedes fans are used to.

Pros: Still fairly simple, sturdy build quality and bank vault interior people identify Mercedes with. Has a different Edward Scissorhands cup holder that sucks.

Cons: Rust and styling (objective). Seems to have lots of electrical issues too when I look at them.

Number I've owned: 2
Miles driven: 2000

124: The last considered great one of the marque, but I think a wee bit overrated. Every model of 124 wagon has its own unique set of issues. Be it the 4 matic system, heads cracking (603 diesel), head gaskets failing (300TE and E320), wiring harnesses (1993-95), transmissions (E320), smog pumps (E320), and AC evaporators (all of the above). Sure these cars on the whole keep together really well, but each model has its own big issues to avoid just like modern Mercedes.

Pros: Incredible quality inside and out. Classic styling, great ride and handling.

Cons: Expensive common issues, funky code reader for check engine codes (gasoline only), and aging. The later ones have a center console you can use as a cup holder, but it sucks for the job.

Number I've owned: 7

Miles driven: Approx 50,000

123: The tank. What else can you call it? I've taken a W123 to both coasts and was satisfied with it until I bought a W124. Feels like a dinosaur in comparison to the ride, comfort, and techology. They will indeed run forever, but it does take alot of work to keep one up to like new mechanically. They'll run badly with various issues forever, but completely sorting them out takes alot of time and patience. The price for wagons is also very high. Miguel recently sold his 80,000 mile example for $14000. I'd sell you my W211 wagon on the lot right now for $11000.

Pros: Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. Tons of parts and repair resources available. Very easy to work on. True classic that you can drive every day.

Cons: These cars love to leak (diesel). The vacuum system will test your patience to the max diagnosing which door lock actuator is keeping your car from not shutting off (diesel) and your transmission shifting like garbage. Rust is common, and the age is getting to them just like all cars. No cup holder, which sucks.

Number owned: 9
Miles driven: Approx. 40,000

Didn't know what I had committed myself to when I started writing this...

Originally Posted by 10fords

So it is smaller than an e320? I like the lights!

Originally Posted by 10fords

Good info- Thanks! Can I assume that with 140k miles on the the car that it has probably had the HB replaced? I will definitely take a look at it regardless.