1996 E320/ How Much More Should I Put Up With!!!??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Falsapartenza85 · #1 10-16-2007, 01:02 PM

Ok guys,

I have pretty much had it this year with my White 1996 E320!!! It started out with the Mass Air Flow meter, then the Oxygen Sensors, then the battery (i know, i know), the transmission shifter linkage bushings, and now the transmission itself! I'm already $5,000 in repairs for the year!!!
Ugh, i hate to love this car- I just can't get rid of it. It's dads car and we all love it. She drives like a dream and is safe and economical. I left Volvo (and still glad i did) as that car was a nightmare on every aspect of service.... I guess 11 years and 115,000 miles later isnt that bad.... I am going to try to get another 5 years out of this car now. Hopefully I can hit the 200,000 mile mark without too many problems. I dunno guys, am I nuts? I am a slave to the star...

G-Benz · #2 10-16-2007, 02:01 PM

Are you keeping the car for nostalgic reasons (i.e. dad's car?)

Despite MB's penchant for achieving high miles, only the ones that recieve the strictest forms of fastiduous maintenance achieve such with few issues..that is, the smallest "tick", "clunk" or drop of fluid on the ground warrants immediate remedy.

That said, if you've read threads here long enough, you'd know that there are a myriad of things that can potentially fail...and you can bet they will do so in "threes" (as the saying goes).

I LOVE my W124, but I've had to live with some issues until I have the means to fix. I have a spare tranny in the garage, as the current one shows signs of giving up the ghost. THe top end has been rebuilt and I'm in the midst of replacing the emissions-related components. So I can only surmise that I have probably more than twice in the car just this year than it's even worth!

Just remember, the cost of owning and maintaining an older Benz may defy logic as you have already experienced. Only you can decide when enough is enough. After all, there are always beautiful examples listed on eBay and Craigslist every day...and you can bet many aren't for sale because the previous owner thought the car was "too reliable" or "too inexpensive to maintain".

TX76513 · #3 10-16-2007, 02:04 PM

Just get another Volvo - that should go over good at work!

Falsapartenza85 · #4 10-16-2007, 02:08 PM

Are you nuts? Volvo's are a nightmare! They are just as much to maintain as a Mercedes (if not more, if you have the ultimate in un-reliability- an S80!!!!!). I love the 1996 E320 with the M104, but this year appears to be the re-build year...... Oh well....

CamelotShadow · #5 10-16-2007, 02:28 PM

The front wheel drive are full of unhappy surprises
but the 740 & 940 Volvos are pretty reliable

good maintenance on both isn;t cheap...

Don't knock the Volvo (125K miles)
Mine is a part getter for the (196K mile) benz....

deanyel · #6 10-16-2007, 02:53 PM

If you're not a DIYer you shouldn't own a 10+ year old Mercedes, or perhaps any out-of-warranty Mercedes. That probably applies to other European cars as well. The early years Volvo S80s were among the worst cars ever made, ever, by any manufacturer, on any continent. Volvo S60s on the other hand were pretty good from the start and have gotten even better. Go figure.

ILUVMILS · #7 10-16-2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falsapartenza85

.....I love the 1996 E320 with the M104, but this year appears to be the re-build year...... Oh well....

Am I missing something here??? You work for a company owned MB dealer! You shouldn't be paying retail for anything. Discounted parts, helpful techs', etc., all add up to a more affordable MB ownership experience. Take advantage of this benefit. Surely, there must be someone there willing to help you out.

Hatterasguy · #8 10-16-2007, 10:51 PM

I figure $3k per year worth of stuff on any high end car. They usualy don't disapoint.

Unless its under warranty of course.

$5k is kind of high, but IMHO if its $2k or less next year thats about right.

These cars are not advertised as easly affordable and cheap to take care of, wrong company if thats what you want.

Oracle12345 · #9 10-17-2007, 11:24 AM

Sounds like what Im going through with my 190E 2.6, major and expensive repair one after another, Ive put over 4 grand in the car and I still dont have reliable transportation. After I fix the current problem I will most likely sell it since it isnt panning out to well. For me mercedes desiels are the way to go. Dont have to work on them constantly and reliable.

vegadonovan · #10 10-17-2007, 12:07 PM

Some like the challenge, some like the snorb appeal.

If you still like it after the challenges, then you can really appreciate it.

Saw a sig on one of the members that really strike a cord in me but its just me;

" I just don't want to wait 30 years for the perfect diesel...." some like that.

Its my first car, my first mb, and I didn't get a failsafe riceburner. I paid it after the first test drive without looking for another.

I can't wait another day for the perfect MB. And problems I had and still have. But grumpy has served me for 8 months and not left me by the roadside 1 time yet. Good old grumpy. I chose it and it chose me.

You can only know after selling it for a quarter mile sprinter if you missed it.

antonino · #11 10-17-2007, 03:01 PM

I do a great deal of my own mechanical work so I do own several older cars including a 91 300CE which I love. My mechanic told me years ago, "if you want luxury and status buy a mercedes...if you want reliability, buy a toyota". I own both but have to tell you that the most reliable car I have ever owned is our current 93 Camry with 240K on it. When heading out on long trips this is the car I can bank on.

Antonino

Falsapartenza85 · #12 10-17-2007, 04:24 PM

Well, at the end of the day it is still a Mercedes and I love it. It has just been one of those years where everything went wrong.... The Green 1996 E320 has been stellar, except for the Spring Perch that broke (MB fixed it under warranty, 10 years old!). Oh well, I just think I needed to vent a little... I look out at her sitting there with those big, faded, oval eyes and think- How could anyone not love her!

Oh well, I'm the proud parent of 3 spoiled brats....

-Mike

Hatterasguy · #13 10-17-2007, 04:29 PM

Buy a W220. Then you will have something to complain about.

Falsapartenza85 · #14 10-17-2007, 10:01 PM

Oh FORGET IT! I see the W220's towed in daily with their entire suspensions deflated! It's a mess- Oh well, I love my 210 sedans! They are my babies and it would kill me to let one die.... So there we go, dumping another $4,200 into the car. However, at the end of the day, I would still rather drive a Mercedes-Benz over ANY other car!!!!!!

Knock on wood, after this trans- I should be set for a while!

Hatterasguy · #15 10-17-2007, 10:19 PM

Since you work at a dealer you can realy good deals on trade in's right?