Hi all - I was perusing and found your forums and decided to join to get some honest opinions.

I was looking for a used car as a spare and stumbled across a 1994 E420 for what I think is a pretty good deal, but it has considerably high miles.

My question to you is this - This car has 165K on it right now, how long are they good for? If it was a Honda i wouldn't think twice, just buy it. A chevy or ford, wouldn't even give it a look. But everyone I've ever known who owns MBZ absolutely loves them and I like the idea of having one. I personally have seen them with 300K on them but they were smaller engines.

A few things about the car - It seems kind of dirty. I originally thought bad stains, but after looking around, I realized the car had not been detailed at all. I think it would clean up nicely.
It runs very smooth, drives really nice (I drive a Yukon Denali everyday. I have a hard time saying a car rides nice. I returned a Caddilac because of ride quality issues. I could live with this one.) I did notice a sound like almost a warped rotor sound on light braking, but no feeling of warpage. Everything appears to work inside the car. Hood ornament is missing. I can't tell if the AC is working or not, and after reading around in this forum, that might end up to be a condition of sale.

The asking price is well below book in my area, considering the mileage. I will use this car as a highway driver mostly. I will also pull a carfax on it today to make sure the seller is on the up and up.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

i would check out the AC before i buy it other than that nothing that can't be fixed without spending big bucks.... i drive 1995 E420 with 170000 miles ,it is the best MB i ever had a lot of power under the hood 20-22 miles/gal in the city. go for it

77 300D
87 300DT
94 E320 Wagen
95 E420
00 ML320

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124Bill

Also own a 94 E420, can't speak to how long it will last. Does anyone know what the life on a M119 is like?

Ive never heard of issues in a W124,and werent they built with the "Cost-no factor"in mind?Very good cars,actually looked at one today.A 1995 with 95,000 on the clock.Nice car,lots of fun to drive.I say,buy it and post some pictures after that.Make sure the carfax is clean and sit in the back seat once to make sure all the little gadgets work.Note things that dont work,and look into them.

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1998 S500
2006 E320 CDI
1963 220S
1994 S500
1995 S500
2005 BMW 545i sport
2007 GL320 CDI
2007 ML320 CDI
1991 Toyota Previa White over Blue
2000 Lexus RX300 White over Beige
2008 Audi Q7 Black Opal over Grey
1993 Toyota T-100 Silver over Grey
2002 Chevy 2500 Express White over Grey

Nah, big mistake, go for one of those nice 165k Hondas.

Well, I went back to the dealership and took a very close look at the car. Then I went for a very long test drive and right as I was approaching the lot the car died and would not start up again. No spit or sputter, just engine cranking. Lots of fuel in the tank, so needless to say, I bought an Audi A4 quattro instead. Seems like a real nice car too.

Thanks for the replies!

Not a bad choice especially with the Aluminium body.

Actually, I think you are thinking of the A8 with the ASF (Aluminum Space Frame)... A4's possibly aluminum hood, maybe front fenders (all depending on year).