My 1st w124 - 1995 E420

[1stimer]

Well I did it.

I purchased a 1995 E420 today.

The car has 99,000 miles.

Here is the carfax and the VIN codes.

Not much history, but it was a Starmark pre-owned vehicle which had extended warranty coverage through April 24, 2003!

It drives really nice and tight. I had Enrique at MRMB Motors give it the once over and he said it seems like a good one. Everything works. Enrique said just a couple of minor things to fix. Small oil leak on left side of engine, and something else minor that I should remember, but don't.

I probably paid too much, but that's what it was worth to me. I'll get some pictures up soon, but until then here are a few from the craigslist ad.

I get to sell my 1997 Nissan Maxima now, which has had a TON of work done to it. Just can't continue to maintain a car I don't have a connection with. I hope to get that feeling back that I had with my diesel W123 with this W124. I hope the maintenance doesn't kill me, but I am prepared to spend a few thousand during my first year of ownership. I know to tackle things as they come and not get behind. Wish me luck!






Vehicle Information: 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ E420/SPECIAL EDITION WDBEA34E5SC233012 SEDAN 4 DR 4.2L V8 FI REAR WHEEL DRIVE Standard Equipment | Safety Options
Search for other 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS vehicles in Chino Hills, CA
No accident / damage reported to CARFAX
5 Previous owners
Personal vehicle
7 Service records available
24 Detailed records available
94,338 Last reported odometer reading





A CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX. Other information about this vehicle, including problems, may not have been reported to CARFAX. Use this report as one important tool, along with a vehicle inspection and test drive, to make a better decision about your next used car.

The number of owners is estimated by CARFAX Owners 1-3 Owner 4 Owner 5
Year purchased 1995 2003 2009
Type of owner Personal Personal Personal
Estimated length of ownership 7 yrs. 8 mo. 5 yrs. 11 mo. 25 days
Owned in the following states/provinces California California California
Estimated miles driven per year 7,300/yr --- ---
Last reported odometer reading 46,337 94,338

A CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX. CARFAX checked over 6 billion vehicle history events and found 24 record(s) for this 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ E420/SPECIAL EDITION (WDBEA34E5SC233012).

Owner 1
Purchased: 1995
Type: Personal
Where: California
Est. miles/year: 2,920/yr
Est. length owned: 5/4/95 - 3/30/99
(3 yrs. 10 mo.)

Low mileage! This owner drove an estimated 2,920 miles per year, lower than the industry average of 15,000 miles. These vehicles can be a better value.
Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
05/04/1995 104 California
Motor Vehicle Dept. Odometer reading reported

05/15/1995 California
Motor Vehicle Dept. Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Registered as
personal vehicle

05/15/1998 9,272 Service Facility Vehicle serviced



Owner 2
Purchased: 1999
Type: Personal
Where: California
Est. miles/year: 15,695/yr
Est. length owned: 3/30/99 - 6/18/01
(2 yrs. 2 mo.)



Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
03/30/1999 11,422 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Los Angeles, CA Odometer reading reported

04/06/1999 11,499 Service Facility Pre-delivery inspection completed
Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Emissions inspection completed
Cooling system checked
Brake pads replaced
Door check replaced
Antenna replaced

04/06/1999 11,503 California
Inspection Station
Beverly Hills, CA Passed emissions inspection

05/06/1999 California
Motor Vehicle Dept. Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported

08/13/1999 15,886 Service Facility Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
Transmission checked
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Emissions inspection completed
Maintenance inspection completed

04/01/2000 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Los Angeles, CA Title issued or updated

04/11/2000 26,502 Service Facility Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Engine cleaned
Power steering pump replaced
Steering damper replaced
Emissions inspection completed

06/28/2000 30,545 Service Facility Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Emissions inspection completed

04/13/2001 Vehicle Repair Center Fuel cap repaired

04/13/2001 43,814 Service Facility Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Emissions inspection completed
Fuel filler cap replaced

04/13/2001 California
Inspection Station Passed emissions inspection





Owner 3
Purchased: 2001
Type: Personal
Where: California
Est. miles/year: ---
Est. length owned: 6/18/01 - 1/31/03
(1 yr. 7 mo.)



Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
06/18/2001 46,337 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Santa Clarita, CA Odometer reading reported

06/19/2001 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Santa Clarita, CA Title issued or updated
New owner reported





Owner 4
Purchased: 2003
Type: Personal
Where: California
Est. miles/year: ---
Est. length owned: 1/31/03 - 1/5/09
(5 yrs. 11 mo.)



Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
01/31/2003 68,210 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Los Angeles, CA Title issued or updated
New owner reported

05/26/2004 73,699 California
Inspection Station Passed emissions inspection

04/26/2006 52,561 California
Inspection Station Passed emissions inspection
INCONSISTENT ODOMETER READING

It is hard to tell whether this reading indicates an odometer rollback or a clerical error. Confirm the mileage with the seller or a qualified mechanic.

05/02/2008 90,785 California
Inspection Station
Panorama City, CA Passed emissions inspection

01/05/2009 94,243 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Pacific Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle

Dealers routinely buy and sell millions of used vehicles at auction each year.

02/04/2009 94,338 California
Inspection Station
Los Angeles, CA Passed emissions inspection





Owner 5
Purchased: 2009
Type: Personal
Where: California
Est. miles/year: ---
Est. length owned: 3/10/09 - present
(25 days)



Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
03/10/2009 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Adelanto, CA Title issued or updated
New owner reported

04/04/2009 Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc. No recalls open for repair

Print this CARFAX Report and take it to your pre-purchase inspection .



View 1 customer rating on this vehicle

[1stimer]

VIN WDBEA34E5SC233012
Model 400 E / E 420
Chassis 1240341C233012
Engine 119975 12 021930
Transmission 722366 04 111518
Order 0 5 705 02055
Approx. year not defined
Lights BOSCH
Cab 00000
Dealer United States (USA) (705)
Interior leather grey / orion gray (268)
Paint
744 brilliant silver metallic (с 1991)
68 Unknown code
Options
240 outside temperature indicator (с 01.03.1982)
second spare wheel (с 01.01.1964 по 28.02.1973)
241 left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
wood rims (с 01.01.1964 по 31.08.1971)
251 Becker Radio Mexico cassette, full stereo, electronic (с 01.04.1980 по 30.11.1990)
Becker Radio Grand Prix TR with remote control and automatic antenna (с 01.04.1964 по 31.05.1977)
radio MB-Exquisit - USA (с 01.07.1992)
280 trunk set, 3-piece (с 01.09.1964 по 31.08.1972)
steering wheel (400 mm dia.) and gearshift lever in leather trim; on W202 390 mm dia. (с 01.05.1984)
340 additional 3rd stop lamp (с 01.10.1989)
front seat, right, lower (с 01.03.1967 по 28.02.1986)
412 electric sliding roof with tilting device (с 01.07.1983)
hydraulic sliding roof, in the rear (с 01.11.1964 по 30.06.1981)
441 steering column, electrically adjustable, W202 manually adjustable (с 01.07.1984)
bumper, front, with guards (USA version) (с 01.01.1963 по 30.09.1970)
461 instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
494 California version
California version (с 01.05.1973 по 31.12.1995)
version for USA/California/Canada (с 01.01.1996)
490 + 492 (с 01.12.1966 по 30.09.1967)
524 Reims adapter IV (с 01.04.1962 по 28.02.1963)
paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)
543 exhaust-pipe cover trim (с 01.01.1963 по 28.02.1963)
seat adapter between the front seats, and halogen lamp unit (с 01.01.1967 по 31.12.1972)
sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (с 01.11.1978)
551 anti-theft warning system (с 01.11.1978 по 31.03.1998)
anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (с 01.04.1998)
steering wheel, ivory-colored (с 01.01.1963 по 31.05.1973)
581 Thermoking air conditioner (с 01.04.1970 по 31.12.1972)
automatic climate control (с 01.01.1977)
593 headlamp flasher and turn signal lamps - italy (с 01.01.1963 по 31.07.1965)
headlamp flasher and turn signal lamps, front, crystal clear (с 01.08.1965 по 31.01.1967)
heat-insulating glass, rear window pane (с 01.02.1967 по 31.01.1971)
heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (single-sheet safety glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, single pane safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
600 headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
trim strips on hardtop (с 01.04.1963 по 31.07.1971)
611 courtesy lamps for front and rear doors, with W124 also for central doors/W202 front doors only (с 01.11.1978)
sealed beam lamp unit, l.h. traffic (с 01.01.1966 по 28.02.1972)
lamp unit, symmetrical (с 01.01.1962 по 28.02.1963)
639 radial-ply tires, elimination of warning triangle (с 01.11.1973 по 31.10.1974)
elimination of first-aid box and warning triangle (с 01.08.1977)
668 662 + 666 (с 01.01.1963 по 28.02.1963)

805 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
810 roof-mounted loudspeaker (с 01.11.1962 по 30.11.1972)
loudspeaker, sound package
sound package (bose) (с 01.12.1986)
987 battery cut-off switch for vehicles to be shipped (с 01.02.1993)

[deanyel]

It's not a Special Edition, but no matter, it sounds like a very nice car. I can't imagine you overpaid for such a car.

[babymog]

Here's the deal on the special edition (one if mine is a SE).

You already have the burlewood (all V-8s)

You already have the disc-changer (kind of obsolete technology)

You don't want the old analog phone and overhead display/buttons (had to replace the header in mine to get rid of it and get back the center visor).

Your wheels are better.

So, buy the polished sill-plates and call it a special edition if you want, yours is better.

[1stimer]

Must have got confused by the Carfax...I remember now that it lists all 1995 e420 as special editions. Thanks. I paid 5 even. It does have the phone and overhead display, though.

[1stimer]

The wheels are 18" AMG's. I think they look fantastic, but should I be concerned about any ill-effects (suspension wise) because of the size?

[neanderthal]

Nice steal. I love that colour.

[Avarec]

great car, sharp silver and amgs look slick, enjoy it and keep it forever

[pawoSD]

Wow, nice car! Not a bad price at all for one that nice!

[Douge]

I agree that the price is fair to good. I certainly don't think you overpaid. The monoblocks look great! I would just go through and do all of the fluids and filters, oil, gas, air, trans, steering and address the oil leak if warranted and just drive and smile.

[1stimer]

Thanks for the nice comments. I think it looks really nice, too.

While I will learn how to do all of the basic maintenance myself, all of my tools are in Chicago until the Fall, and I have some time off from work this week, so I decided to let Enrique do everything today.

He replaced a transmission switch, brake light switch, oil pressure sending unit, engine oil, transmission service, brake fluid flush/fill, coolant flush/fill. The car was bogging at exactly 4000 RPM, so that was fixed as well (computer reset combined with the switch(es) replacements???). The bill was a hair over $600, so a swift wake up call to start learning how to do this stuff myself. I became fairly proficient with the W123, so this shouldn't be that much more involved for basic maintenance and wear/tear items.

The car passed smog today and will be registered/insured tomorrow.

What I think must have happened is the PO bought the car....realized it had a problem at 4k RPM....brought it to someone who didn't know what they were doing, and quoted a ridiculous price for repairs...he got scared and decided to sell. I don't know why else you would buy a car and sell 2 months later.

As far as the wheel size. Enrique says it should be fine, and won't cause any undo wear to the suspension.

I'll post some pics later this week. The car is immaculate inside and out. I'm very happy so far.

[husk]

nice looks like you got a good one...what kind of exhaust is that?

[1stimer]

I was looking at the exhaust tips today while it was on the lift, and didn't see any identifying marks. It looks like there was some work done to the lower bumper to allow the tips to fit. They don't allign perfectly. Almost, but not perfect.

[Arthur Dalton]

Be aware that the car has a 4K Rev. limit cut-off for torque converter protection in N or P .....

[1stimer]

The 4k rev limiting was happening in drive. Fixed now.