Correct Pricing for 02E430 and 03E500 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

EricSilver · #1 10-21-2011, 06:45 PM

My beloved 95E320 suffered a catastrophic transmission/differential failure after striking some road debris last weekend and has been declared a total loss.

I am looking at newer options but am not sure what the fair pricing is and hope you gents can help:

03 E500, 120K Miles, asking $11,800, clear Carfax, super clean.

02 E430 4Matic, 72,000 miles, asking $10,800, well maintained, clean carfax with dealer service history

02 E430, 145,000 miles, asking $6,500, sport edition, clean.

Are these within the scope of realism?

Hirnbeiss · #2 10-21-2011, 08:01 PM

Everyone has their $.02, and it seems universal that we say the prices are too high (See also Life of Brian, gourd-haggling scene). I think KBB/Edmunds/NADA sites give reasonable reference points that you can adjust based on deferred maintenance for the particular car.
The W211 there is the 1st year. I would avoid it for that reason, and because of the electro brakes they had through 2005.
The 4matic V8 will get pretty bad mileage, so bear that in mind.

mbzman · #3 10-22-2011, 12:07 AM

My vote would be for the 2002 E430 4Matic. The early W211s are very problematic, especially the first year. 2002 was the last year of the W210 so they are the most refined and have all the updates. Up here in Canada that E430 4Matic would be priced right in line to what I see advertised. If it checks out okay after a thorough PPI I would pull the trigger.

EricSilver · #4 10-22-2011, 03:19 AM

Thanks. I should add that the $10K E430 is a 2001 model.

anziani · #5 10-24-2011, 12:20 PM

Eric,
Does that mean you have solved your "limp home" problem?

I use Autotrader.com for pricing info. My dream car would be the 2003 CL600, a V-12 with dual turbos and 490 HP. It would pass everything except a gas station.
Anziani

EricSilver · #6 10-24-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anziani

Eric,
Does that mean you have solved your "limp home" problem?

Anziani

Ha ha -- yep, in the worst way.

I went with the '01 E430 because of the low mileage and ridiculously long and anal service history by the original owner; he took it for dealer servicing for every imaginable problem or non-problem.

This is my first V8, and my first 21st-century Mercedes, so let's see what surprises are in store for me ahead.

anziani · #7 10-24-2011, 12:39 PM

You will love the E430. We have a E420, the last year of the 124 design and it is a dream to drive. Gas mileage suffers a little but you probably have a 5 speed that should help. Happy motoring!
Anziani

tjts1 · #8 10-24-2011, 04:52 PM

Did MB ever fix the W210 rust problem or are all model years the same in that respect?

suginami · #9 10-24-2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

Did MB ever fix the W210 rust problem or are all model years the same in that respect?

I just don't think W210's ever got the same rust proof protection that W124's got.

It's not a problem out here in So. Cal. My neighbor is a long-time Mercedes dealer tech, and he's never even heard of a rust problem on W210's, much less seen one.

So there you go.

tjts1 · #10 10-24-2011, 08:11 PM

Thanks for the info.
I'm also in California and would love to pick up a W210 wagon but even though the local cars might not suffer the same fate as the rust belt cars, it still makes me uneasy knowing MB didn't rust proof these cars to their usual high standard. If there is a model year that is better or worse I would like to know about it.

duxthe1 · #11 10-24-2011, 08:29 PM

The early 210 diesels are the ones that typically have spring perch problems, its very rare for any of the other 210's.

EricSilver · #12 10-26-2011, 01:26 PM

Well, so far I am loving this car.

The V8 is great and I am discovering where the power kicks in. Bose sound system is excellent. And the interior is cavernous -- a lot more spacious than my previous W124 cars.

I am actually looking forward to rain and snow to test the AWD.

anziani · #13 07-31-2013, 12:48 PM

Eric,
I solved my limp home problem by selling my CE to my mechanic. I then took a quantum leap forward and bought a '97 CL500. Wow, what a car! It will be my last. I thought my '95 E420 was spectacular but this car exceeds the 420. And the surprising thing is that I recently got 25mpg on a 300 mile trip. However, around town is sort of "sucky".
Anziani
'97 CL500 140K
'95 E420 130K

EricSilver · #14 07-31-2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anziani

Eric,
I solved my limp home problem by selling my CE to my mechanic. I then took a quantum leap forward and bought a '97 CL500. Wow, what a car! It will be my last. I thought my '95 E420 was spectacular but this car exceeds the 420. And the surprising thing is that I recently got 25mpg on a 300 mile trip. However, around town is sort of "sucky".
Anziani
'97 CL500 140K
'95 E420 130K

Getting rid of the problematic vehicle is apparently the only permanent solution.

The CL500 is an awesome car. I don't see many of them but the ones I do see are in outstanding condition. All the S-Class amenities without the extra bulk.

EricSilver · #15 10-31-2013, 09:08 PM

UPDATE 2
Over the past 6 months, both secondary cats began rattling. My original intent was to have them cut out and have aftermarket replacements or straight pipe installed.

Because an empty converter housing is, for all intents and purposes, a straight pipe, earlier this week my tech dropped the exhaust, gutted the secondary cats, and solved the problem (and improved performance).

I should add that the sound of that V8 with no mufflers is simply wonderful; don’t know why MB chose to tune it to be so quiet.