2000 E430 AWD (118,000 miles)
 

Hello, I just purchased this car after having had the pleasure to own the predecessor giants, a 1992 300E 4Matic (253,000 miles) and a 1992 400E (150,000 miles).

I bought the '92 300E with about the same amount of mileage on it. It has been superb.

I have not had time to fix up the 400E, which only needs some basic major work, but no integral components, trans, or engine problems.

My guess is the 400E would probably easily give me the same additional 100,000 miles I got out of the 300E with about the same amount of maintenance, little to none except for the obvious failures that accompany driving and owning these cars.

My hope is the E430 at this mileage will essentially be standard solid. The car feels and drives like the 300E did when I first drove it with a little over 100,000. And that car, even with major issues at the end, still felt like a floating carpet at 80mph with 253,000 miles on it.

I am thinking about getting rid of the 400E and will be getting rid of the 300E.

Does anyone have any insight on the comparability of the 400E to the E430 I bought. I guess I am wondering if I should hold on to the 400E esp. with the 150,000 miles.

Also, at 118,000 miles are there any major repairs or issues with the E430 that I can expect in the next 20 to 30,000 miles? Thanks,

I would hang on to the 400E, in 1992 Mercedes was at the top of it's technical reliability and the 400E will be a cheaper car to run. The front drive axles are a weak point in the E430.

CJ I own two '92 400e's, and I wasn't quite sure from reading your thread whether your 400e was a recent purchase or you had owned it for a while, but I am assuming it was recent, so take my comments from that standpoint. I've owned the first 400e since 1997 (Mer#1) and the second 400e since 2003 (Mer#2). I think alot of the comments on the forum about the 400e's are pretty accurate........especially how did Mercedes ever figure out how to cram that 8 cylinder engine into the 300e body! That being said, the fun factor I've had in the 400e can be appreciated as I worked my way from a woefully underpowered '81 240d, an '89 260e, and finally the 400e. Maintenance wise you only have to look under the hood once and compare it with your 300e to realize that 8 cylinder engine presents some special challenges to work on. If you are a diehard DIYer the 400e will make you wish for your 300e at times. I'm just a halfxxx DIYer, so I do what I can, and then have a network of friends, indies, and the dealer that I parcel out repairs and some maintenance to. BTW, I'm in Ohio, so pm me sometime and
I'll provide some addit'l maintenance details. The 500's maybe the best Mercedes ever produced, but the 400e's are a close second. DJ

Thanks
 

Thanks Parshoot1; I may actually be getting rid of the 400E and the 300E (4Matic). I have the E430 (4MATIC) now to take care of and can't handle three spoiled step-children in addition to my own! You are right though the 300E was / is awesome at 253,000 miles it was still purring. the front left axle is shot and it needs brakes. the 400 needs brakes, the two motor rotors for firing, a radiator, the fan / clutch / belt assembly which is what blew out and punched a hole in the radiator. It only has 150,000 miles on it. It is a classy car. Both of the '92's I have are midnight blu. The 2000 E430 is silver with 119,000 miles. It's a beast.

DETAILS ON THE 400 & 430
 

Sending you a pm about the history on the 400 and your recent 430 purchase.

Except for the biodegradable wiring :)
The E430 should be a very reliable car. I've owned an E420 for about 10 years and it's needed very little work. Reliability wise, the E430 with the M113 should be more reliable then the E420 it replaced. Although the engine in some ways is less sophisticated.

Thanks, Al. I find that encouraging. As I mentioned to another member, I don't have my hopes up, if only because the 300E was such a solid car and I cannot believe another car would be equivalent, but we are talking about Mercedes.