I'm trying to convince my wife to go with a used e320 wagon. She prefers to replace her toyota sienna minivan with a new sienna minivan.

I know the new wagons came out in 2004. I'm thinking that I'd like 2001 or newer to get the starmark with plenty of miles left til we get to 100,000. Questions:
Are the two wheel drives hard to drive in the snow?
Real world gas mileage?
Significant problems specific to the wagon? I've read through all the threads I could find and I think I'm aware of the usual suspects.

Thanks
Dave

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1986 300SDL

I've got a '94 Wagon and I put Hakkapeliitta snow tires on it and have not had a problem in any snow conditions. The only vehicle doing better than me on snowy roads were large SUVs. There are 4Matic wagons on Starmark out there as well as rear wheel drive wagons. The second generation 4Matic is pretty good from what I"ve read as far as reliability. I get about 21 mpg in the winter and almost 25 mpg in the summer out of my inline 6 but I've read the V6 gets better mileage. The most talked about failure of these cars is the harmonic balancer. Sounds like you've been doing reading on them too. The wagon has tremendous cargo space. If you get snow tires for it get real ones - not a hybrid like the Dunlop Winter Sports. They can't handle any type of hill - up or down.

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dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

If you can afford it, the 210 wagon with multiple year Starmark is a great choice. Versus a minivan, make sure all the kids and their stuff fit. I don't know first hand, but MPG wise I'd bet the M112 gives between the M104 and the M111... about 23 or 24 MPG real word. The 210 is totally robust and a pleasure to drive. As far as Starmark, be sure to READ the fine print and find out what it doesn't cover. It doesn't cover things like rust and interior problems, so, even though it's a "dealer" car, be sure to go over it well. Make sure the Starmark contract SPECIFIES things like bushings. I personally would do basic maintenance myself (or have an independent do it), but be sure you can "work" with a local dealer's service department for "Starmark" stuff. Versus, the minivan croud, the Mercedes wagon is not the "traditional" choice. I think it's a smart one, but not everyone agrees. Also, think how trashed your minivan gets. Can you live with the same thing in a Mercedes? Good luck and best regards,

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

Thanks for the info. My wife's not buying it. Looks like it's going to be the new Sienna. That's fine but since I drive it occasionly, I'd prefer a late model wagon. Good point about the inside getting trashed. That probably would bother me. With a minivan, I really don't mind so much.
Dave

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1986 300SDL