Thoughts on 2002 E430
 

Hello Friends, I'm a long time W124 owner (had 2 2.5 Turbos and now have a 94 E420) and have seen a beautiful one owner 2002 E430 here in RI. It is smoke silver (or goldish) with 37k miles. Asking 12,500.

I have never had a W210. This is the last of the W210, right?

What do people think of this ride, price, and if I'll like it coming out of a W124. Anything to check on this specific car, weak points?

Thanks to all for comments.

The only W210 I would buy (and I've owned two) is an E430.

The V8 is exhilarating, and puts the I6 / V6 3.2 liter motor to shame.

If you buy the face-lifted 2000-2002 model, all of the bugs have been worked out.

My neighbor is a technician at the local Mercedes dealer, Penske Mercedes, in Covina, CA, and he says the W210's are probably the most reliable / trouble free Mercedes he's ever seen.

Generally speaking, when the techncians talk amongst themselves, the one Mercedes they nearly universally agree on that they would spend their own money on is an E320 / E430.

The transmission by the way, is extraordinarily robust and is sturdy enough to be used in high hp / torque applications like E55 AMG and the Mercedes SLR.

Thank You
 

Wonderful...thank you. But does anyone have any thoughts on the price?

Seems cheap to me.

Last year I paid $14,500 for the 2001 E430 I'm driving now.

I bought it at Lexus of Beverly Hills, and it had about 70,000 miles on it.

Several Items to look at on a 210

Even with low miles STILL Inspect the car!

RUST..doors/trunk/ and Spring Pearch

Transmission leaks.. also the Transmission control unit CAN fill up from a defective seal

Seat frames that click/rock
A/C temp sensors
cracked dash boards
rear window regulators
front suspension mounts/ball joints



Make sure that you have a PPI done to avoid any unseen problems

Inspect for frame damage/paint work

Run the Vin at the dealer for all service and warranty repairs

I Bought my 210 New and I Still Like the wagon!

The Price seems fair with the miles

Seems kind of cheap to me, but it might be a good deal. Those are fantasic cars and the 2000-02's are the best of the lot.


Just make sure to change that transmission fluid!

Always look for the LAST year a model is made, never the FIRST.
Be sure to leave the transmission fluid alooooone.

Gilly

It's a good car, but your mileage will be around 19 city, 26 hwy.

I think the Mulroney sticker has the fuel economy at 17 mpg city / 26 mpg highway.

I get 19 mpg in mixed city / freeway driving, but have returned 26 mpg on several occasions in 100% freeway driving at 75-80 mph.

Leave transmission fluid alooone!
 

I own a 2002 E320 4 MATIC with 78,000 miles and the car has been trouble free except for having to replace the high pressure A/C hose. On the highway I get 30 mph and with a mix of driving always get 26-27 mpg. Incredible for a car this size with AWD.

One thing that Gilly said kinda puzzles me.....he said leave the transmission fluid aloooone! There has been considerable discussion on this item and I had been planning on changing my transmission fluid, but now wonder if I should just leave it alooone! Gilly, could you expand your rationale?

Here's one thread:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/113262-transmission-fluid-replacement-schedule.html?highlight=color+money+722.6

Here's the main one I was thinking of, with a handout from MB I transcribed in a post about "The Color of Money".
Happy reading.
My opinion is that it is a waste of time and money. I know of one 722.6 that did over 300,000 miles w/o a change. Maybe luck I suppose. My stand is that if a 722.6 is going to punch out early, it'll do it. Has more to do withbuild quality than servicing it, it is supposed to be filled for life. If you read the thread I will post a link to on this post, it refers to the black fluid color as being a product of the graphite discs in the trans, it is NOT dirt as this is a sealed transmission (the "seal" does refer to the transmission itself, not the seal on the dipstick tube)
Link:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/102541-1999-s500-722-6-automatic-transmission-filled-life.html?highlight=color+money+722.6
I am NOT saying it will harm the transmission, I am just saying it is NOT neccesary and of dubious value. If it fails you can blame me, however my standing will be that it would have failed if changed it or not. Hope that clears it up. As I said in the first thread I posted a link to, "do whatever makes you happy".

Gilly

Wife's car gets barely over 20 mpg in mixed city driving, and I get 21-22 mpg in the wagon. Not complaining, but it sure makes me question the reasoning behind driving a om617 and a turbo'd 4 cyl, vs. a v8 MB.

I can't do without the (a) wagon, but find myself hot for a w124 400e/e400, or maybe even a w210 V8. Way more go fast without too much more fuel costs...

Exactly. There's not much penalty in fuel economy with the V8 compared to the E320.

I wish Mercedes would've put the V8 in the wagon.....I'd have one in my garage right now if they had.

They did: amg e63 estate? :D. There's an e500 wagon too w/ 4x4.:cool: