From what I've read here, there is a world of difference between the W124 (which you drive) and the W210 which you are contemplating, the W210 is the first of the E class on a downward slide of build quality that began plaguing Mercedes in the late/mid nineties.

Read the "Spring Perch Failure" thread on tech forum for starters.

These cars are very nice to drive when all is right with them, and they are very roomy too, but the quality just isn't there like it was in the earlier cars.

If you must have one, check it carefully for rust, books and records, and a PPI by a good Mercedes mechanic is essential.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

HVAC system on the W210 is also more complex than the simpler W124. For that matter, there are much more electronics on the W210, making it a more complex vehicle which sometimes requires professional equipment in order to perform repairs. In some respects it is less DIY-friendly.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

You can consider it if you are a fairly competent DIY'er or if you buy it with a warranty to cover it for the period you plan to own it...short of that you will probably spend over $1000 per year keeping it in order because these are not cheap cars to repair and they are not known to be overly reliable.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I think the 97 is a nice buy. It's the last year they had the inline-6, which was arguably the best modern motor MB made.

A 124 is a better-built car with a better track record overall, but let's face it - the newest one is 13 years old now, and you're going to spend $1000 a year on either a 124 or a 210 now.

If you have the car checked by a GOOD indie shop or the dealer, and you can verify VMI/service history, including (very important) trans fluid changes at least every 60k, I'd go for it - for the right price of course

And I just realized RLG was responding at the same time - and took the words out of my.......fingers

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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

Having owned both, I would say run away from the 210. Have a 2001 E320 in the fam, and is the biggest pile of garbage I have ever seen MB make. Not to mention it is rusting out completely, at the young age of 45K. Get a late model V8 124 and never look back. Just my 2 cents.

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93 300D 2.5 Turbo, Black/Palomino 273K
09 E350 Black/Black 41K

I have owned two 124's, and now own two 210's. I have liked them all. Yes they all have had some problems, but were all worked out under warranty. The only major problem with my '97 was the electronic transmission. There was an update around '99 or 2000 that included a new control module. MB replaced that. Otherwise it is still a great car.
Starmark warranty would not be available. Try to get all the service records and do a carfax check. If it was serviced by MB you can get a computer read print out of all service.
Ed

I think this is a case by case situation. Some cars will have more problems than others. I am sure that was the same as on the W124.
Each model has its "common" problems. W124 has the headgasket and bad wiring harness problems. W210 has some rust problems.
My 96 W210 has the same M104 engine as the 97 and its been a solid perormer. I don't have any rust problems. Someone mentioned HVAC and electrical problems on this model but I don't think those are common problems. Some of the latter years 98-2002 have the Harmonic Balancer problems.

Take the car to a Mercedes mechanic and get it checked out before you buy.
Thats the best advice anyone can give you.

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2010 W212 E350 Sport
1996 W210 E320 (220K miles)