Can someone comment on known issues and peculiarities of the E430. What can I expect when buying one with 80K miles?

I will probably buy one soon and spend 12 to 15K. What will I be getting into with this?

Currently I have an 87 300D turbo which makes me well understood of W124 engineering. I've owned this diesel 6 years and my worst non-accessory issue was a failed glowplug in my first month of ownership.

(joke) How does a Mercedes Benz die? One accessory at a time...

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MIKE
1987 300D Turbo, 225K
124.133/603.960

LOL! I like that "one accesory at a time"

I usually hear the BMW "bring my wallet", the Ford "fix or replace daily" & Fiat's "fix it again Tony"

Now I have to keep an eye on all my accesories

97 C230
95 C220
94 C280
98 ML320

I just bought a 210 last week, and since you are from New Jersey, if you buy a local car, pay close attention to rust. I found one from the Cleveland area and did notice some rust which figured into the price we negotiated. I brought it straight to the shop and pulled the bumpers and rocker panel mouldings off and found quite a bit more rust than I ever imagined. It is a good thing I addressed it now rather than in the spring as it would have gotten MUCH worse by then. Always remember,,, any rust you see peeking around mouldings or bumpers is probably just the tip of the iceberg. It also has a leaking tranny that I still have to address. The car only has 62 K on it so I do expect to get some serious service out of it yet. How it will compare to my 95 ?,,,, time will tell. I really wanted the heated seats and memory seats.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

Mike, have a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) done by a MB-trained tech so you know exactly what you're buying. A knowledgeable tech will know the trouble spots to focus on with any particular year and model MB automobile. I would avoid buying any car with rust issues. It will only get worse and is difficult/impossible and expensive to treat.

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Fred Hoelzle

The "rusted" spring perch issue is a real problem UP north. Have that area inspected closely on a PPI.

I would look for a "southern" car for sure. We have very little salt that causes that issue.

The last of the W210's had very few problems.....2001-02.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

How's about this one -

What's the difference between a Mercedes and a porcupine?

- The porcupine has the pricks on the outside......

I've heard this one before, ... but it was a sorority girl.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

RUST. W210s are having big problems with this. When an upper spring perch breaks away it will ruin your entire day. Not to mention your VISA limit.

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Roger E.