1995 E320 Wagon Potential Purchase: Talk me out of this one too - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #1 11-19-2008, 11:26 PM

Since I've decided to pass on the 420SEL, I'm traveling a few hours away on Friday to look at a 1995 E320 wagon. It has 149,000, with the current owner only contributing 10,000 over his 3 years of ownership. The previous owner was apparently a female bank executive who traveled in it extensively, and did replace the wiring harness along with decent maintenance. As far as the current owner knows, the evaporator and head gasket are original to the car. The only known issue by the owner is non-functional head light wipers which he thought not worth fixing, but has had some non-scheduled maintenance work done over the years.

The seller was initially asking $5,000, but explained that he is very motivated to sell, and was planning on dropping the price $1,000 due to lack of interest. He claims to be a professional photographer whose business has slowed down considerably and needs cash.

The car looks to be in, and the seller attests to, excellent condition inside and out, but there is always a drawback.

Since the car has heated seats, Its likely to have the lovely ASR system. At least you know what to do with a bad head gasket or evaporator, but from what I've read, following fault codes in these electronic systems can be expensive or exhausting for a DIY. Is ASR really that bad, by the way?

So, here I go again... Is this car a good deal at 3-4k?

Bob Weir · #2 11-20-2008, 12:39 AM

To best of my knowledge, all 94 & 95 Wagons have ASR. Leather, Heated seats, memory seats were options. There was no '96 w124 Wagon in US.
I had throttle valve actuator rebuilt for about $450 [4Mercedes.com] for my 1994 e320 wagon. It's actually an easy R&R with only a little patience to wiggle it out between the 3rd and 4th intake tubes.

Where the SEL gives you a smoother ride and much greater rear seat legroom; the 124 Wagon has more cargo space and better handling IMHO and better fuel economy [high teens in city, mid to high 20s hwy].

For more info, regarding "wagon" model, see my posts in these threads:

1995 wagon purchase

thinking of Buying MB 300 wagon from early 90's

I have simple choices regarding models; roadster or wagon. You either like them or you don't.

At $4,ooo the price is right. I'd be very interested if I lived in KS.

compress ignite · #3 11-20-2008, 12:55 AM

see attachment(s):

TylerH860 · #4 11-20-2008, 01:07 AM

I'm so used to my older cars and dismissing book, I never thought to look. Thanks.

So, I take it you think its a good deal?

*edit* I'm not sure a "fair" condition vehicle with some mechanical and visual blemishes would be worth near that much, though. I could be wrong.

Bob Weir · #5 11-20-2008, 01:55 AM

Like any used car. Take it out for a really long test drive on smooth and bumpy roads. Then take it to a good inde or dealer who has the computer system to read ALL the codes.
Have them check the suspension thoroughly. 94 and 95 Wagons must replace entire front A arm, bushings in it not replaceable! Lots of control arms in rear suspension. Clunk when changing gears is usually diff bushings.
Make sure Climate Control Heat & AC ok. I know how cold it gets in Ft. Riley Manhattan [courtesy US Army 1968].
Actuator's attached cable has same dreaded wire insulation as harness.
Trans Control Pressure Cable another expensive "wear" item on 124.

What else can you buy for $4 and have all these wonderful people help you fix???

86560SEL · #6 11-20-2008, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

As far as the current owner knows, the evaporator and head gasket are original to the car.

I am assuming its the same engine, but my uncle had a 1990 300 wagon with about 197K on the original headgasket.

Good luck... looks like a nice car!

TylerH860 · #7 11-20-2008, 02:21 AM

Its not... 300TEs have 12 valves while E320s have 24 valves. Since we only encounter people with problems on the forum, we tend to think common issues are almost a certainty.

I'm fairly sure I can do everything you list, with the exception of the fault codes. I'm considering my options there. Surely some generic auto places will have a compatible code reader.

I don't plan on using this vehicle as a daily driver, rather for cold weather, hauling, and around town errands.

Ol' Turbo will remain the flagship for quite some time, I hope.

iwrock · #8 11-20-2008, 03:44 AM

95s are good cars. Its not unheard of for M104s to go 250k on the original head gasket. Although, you may possibly run into problems with the wiring harness.

ASR is not really that bad of a system. Its just 500E drivers and the like wish it were not on their 300+HP monsters.

Whats the body look like underneath? Any rust? A well sorted E320T is a good solid daily driver.

iwrock · #9 11-20-2008, 03:45 AM

What do you want to know about wagons? I have fixed everything on my car.... And then some.

Ferdman · #10 11-20-2008, 07:14 AM

Tyler, as mentioned have a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) done by a MB-trained tech. The 1995 E320 wagon appears to have Tex seats, not leather. Tex wears well, but has a different feel than leather. Rear suspension has accumulators that are more expensive to replace than shocks. A MB-trained tech will spot any pending problems. In my opinion $3k or $4k is a steal for a well-maintained 1995 E320 wagon.

94Wagenmeister · #11 11-20-2008, 11:14 PM

I wouldn't buy it unless it was a daily driver. Offer low and be prepared to spend the money you saved in getting such a deal to fix the inevitable things that go wrong with a 14 year old vehicle. It's been my experience (with a 201, a 202 and now the 124) that it takes some driving time to figure it out so you can stay 'one step ahead of the sherrif' to keep these things running for 2 or 300K.

TylerH860 · #12 11-21-2008, 03:07 AM

Update: Everyone should be happy to know that I did make an appointment with a local shop for a PPI. I'll give them a few pointers on where to inspect, and do my own, of course, to make sure the car is worth spending $$$ for a PPI.

I'm meeting the seller at 2:00 this afternoon. Wish me luck.

daw_two · #13 11-21-2008, 10:25 AM

good luck

cphilip · #14 11-22-2008, 01:21 AM

That one looks amazingly like the 95 E320 I am considering. Dark Green over Grey. However this one is Grey Interior leather.

I was not aware these came with Headlamp wipers. The one I am looking at does not have them I do not think.

How does one go about field testing for Head Gasket condition other than the obvious if there is oil in coolant or visa versa?

TylerH860 · #15 11-22-2008, 01:28 AM

The color is called avantgarde green...

Hardly anything too avantgarde about forest green.