E320 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #1 04-25-2006, 11:05 PM

I am looking at a 1999 & 2000 E320 being sold by a private party. The '99
has 98k miles while the 00 has 48k miles. the '99 has a new MB
transmission. Went out at around 96k.

Haven't owned an E320 (just a C220 now with 278k miles). Am sure all the
MBs are great cars if you take care of them. Any advise/opinions y'all
might share with me in chkg out the cars and your experience in owning one
would be appreciated.

Is the E320 serviceable by a weekend mechanic like myself. I mean just the
basic stuff (oil change, brake pads/rotors, shocks, sway bar links. How
about tie rod ends? Does it have ball joints?

Thanks in advance.

pbrennan10 · #2 04-25-2006, 11:26 PM

i service my s320 myself and it's no biggie.

BENZ-LGB · #3 04-25-2006, 11:44 PM

I love my 1998 E320. All things considered, I would get the car with the lowest mileage.

Good luck.

BTW, this is my 1000th post. I expected fireworks!!!

Hatterasguy · #4 04-26-2006, 12:34 AM

They are great cars good mileage, cheap to fix, and simple to fix.

Buy the 2000, the W210 got a lot of updates for the 2000 MY.

lkchris · #5 04-26-2006, 01:00 PM

You're looking at a W210, which is the car with rust problems at suspension perches and door seals.

If I were buying one, first thing I would try to do is establish good relationship with dealer. Perhaps even get PPI (prepurchase inspection) done by dealer.

Arthur Dalton · #6 04-26-2006, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

I love my 1998 E320. All things considered, I would get the car with the lowest mileage.

Good luck.

BTW, this is my 1000th post. I expected fireworks!!!

... fireworks..........

manny · #7 04-26-2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

I
BTW, this is my 1000th post. I expected fireworks!!!

Fireworks? Ha!
That many posts means you either have a lot of questions.........or you're a smart-ass.

tobybul · #8 04-26-2006, 03:43 PM

Thanks for all the responses, Fellas (and Gals?)

Not sure what to do yet. Haven't seen the vehicles yet. All comes down to $$ for me. I have no problems getting a higher miles car as long as its well cared for. Like I said, my C220 has 278k and still in pretty good shape.

Not too excited about the green color of the 98 E320. The 00 is Silver, similar to my C220. There's also an 00 E55 for $29k. Love to own it but too much car and $$ for me.

Just want to be able to service the car as much as I can.

I have been buying most of my maintenance parts from *********************** and discountautoparts.com (which I think are the same place).

Using Yahoo Autos, I noticed there's a good selection of MB's out there.

The Kia Optima's might be a good option. I can get an 05 for $12-$14k.

I'll welcome more input. Thanks again.

BENZ-LGB · #9 04-26-2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manny

Fireworks? Ha!
That many posts means you either have a lot of questions.........or you're a smart-ass.

Manny, thanks, but you forgot to consider a third possibility.

I have no life.

tobybul · #10 05-01-2006, 12:44 PM

the 00 drove much better than the 99. The 00 had a clunking noise by the RF wheel area. Am guessing could be sway bar link, ball joint. Owner was told by dealer its tie rod.

For a 99, it sure has a few thing going kaputy.... especially the tranny replaced recently with 96k miles. Otherwise, overall body seems ok.

The 00 with 48k drove fine but expected it to be much better. This car feels much heavier than my 96 C220.

Since these are the 1st E320s Ive drive, I think I better check more of them.

Mbz81 · #11 06-05-2006, 03:44 AM

hey toby was the 2000 E320 in east grand rapids area

rchase · #12 06-05-2006, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

I am looking at a 1999 & 2000 E320 being sold by a private party. The '99
has 98k miles while the 00 has 48k miles. the '99 has a new MB
transmission. Went out at around 96k.

Haven't owned an E320 (just a C220 now with 278k miles). Am sure all the
MBs are great cars if you take care of them. Any advise/opinions y'all
might share with me in chkg out the cars and your experience in owning one
would be appreciated.

Is the E320 serviceable by a weekend mechanic like myself. I mean just the
basic stuff (oil change, brake pads/rotors, shocks, sway bar links. How
about tie rod ends? Does it have ball joints?

Thanks in advance.

Hmmm

Never been much of a fan of E class cars. Mercedes seems to go out of their way to let you know your not driving their top of the line car in an E with the styling and options. Have you considered an S class? For a little bit more money you get a lot nicer car thats way more comfortable with a much better ride quality.

I also do service work on my S320 and my 300SD. The newer Mercedes cars are WAY more complicated than the older ones and do require a lot of research before approaching a project. With the correct tools and knowledge though they are quite easy to work on. Its also a great way to see how well made the cars really are. I don't know about the new cars but on the older cars Mercedes should have had partially dissasembled cars or did more selling out of the service department so you could see the quality of construction.

Parrot of Doom · #13 06-05-2006, 06:27 AM

You have to consider what the car has been doing in its lifetime.

Mine is 9 years old and has nearly 170000 on the clock (163000 when I bought it 6 months ago). I knew with certainty that it had been up and down the motorway all its life, and that the engine and transmission would be in pretty good condition.

On the other hand, I could have bought a 9 year old car with 50000 on the clock that would have been pootling around towns all its life, or sat on the drive way not moving. I know which I'd rather have!

tobybul · #14 06-20-2006, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mbz81

hey toby was the 2000 E320 in east grand rapids area

Just got around to chkg the forum. I know the one u r referring to but no. The 00 E320 I was looking at was in Cascade.

The EGR one is too much for me. He wanted 20k+.

Looks like u r in GR?