PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - what is my 95 E320 wagon worth?

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinnison (Post 2418941)

Couple more questions regarding repairs...

I was told by a MB indy-mechanic that the head should be planed to make sure there is no warping even though the car has never overheated. Does this sound necessary? Does it add alot to the cost?

Should I be concerned about the crank seal leak? Obviously it needs to be fixed but could there be major damage from it?

What is the average lifespan for this trany? Is there a chance I can get 250,000 to 300,000 mile out of it? Never had a problem with it yet.

I picked up the car tonight. It drives perfect. Purr's. Can't hear the engine at the stop light. I would never know there is anything wrong with it if it were not for the coolant light on the dash. Obviously I am still hoping I can get it fixed for a decent price. This car is not going to a scrap yard d.delano! One way or another someone who appreciates it will be driving it.

I think checking for flatness is usually done, not sure if planing is always done as a matter of course or not. Getting the head totally reworked is good practice while it's off, and could add quite a bit to the cost, but it would be akin to getting a brand new engine when reinstalled providing the bottom end is good, which is almost always the case with MB. You probably might be able to just have it checked for flatness and decked(planed) only if needed, boiled out, valve seals replaced, and reinstalled. Shouldn't be too costly. Might not absolutely have to recut the valve seats and install new valve guides and grind valves. A good mech will always check everything anyway, to see if all of that extra work is absolutely necessary. Timing chain should be checked as well for elongation, along with the timing chain guides. However the chain almost never shows much wear on an engine that's had regular oil changes. Again, a good mech will keep an eye out for these things, and advise you on what's really necessary.

If you change the fluid and filter every 30k mi the transmission should last to 250k if it's good now. Quite common. Just need to keep changing that fluid. You may want to start a cookie jar for a new one though.

Don't think you'll realize any damage from the front crank seal leak. Don't lose sleep over it.