Going to look at an E320

[Tanksowner]

As the title says, I may be purchasing a Smoke Silver '95 E320. I spoke to the gentleman today who is the original owner from new. Car has around 109 going on 110K miles, don't know the maintenance history as of yet. Shocks were replaced last year, that's all I know so far. As I don't know what the market is for these cars, I'd like to know what would be considered reasonable for it? Assume the body and interior are in great shape and is mechanically sound. I base that on the description of a 3rd party who is a mutual friend of ours.

[lee polowczuk]

Originally Posted by Tanksowner

As the title says, I may be purchasing a Smoke Silver '95 E320. I spoke to the gentleman today who is the original owner from new. Car has around 109 going on 110K miles, don't know the maintenance history as of yet. Shocks were replaced last year, that's all I know so far. As I don't know what the market is for these cars, I'd like to know what would be considered reasonable for it? Assume the body and interior are in great shape and is mechanically sound. I base that on the description of a 3rd party who is a mutual friend of ours.

I would base your bid on service records.. Wiring harness is probably done. Head gasket possibly, and evaporator probably not.

first two wouldn't bother me.. if the a/c doesn't cold... run away.

all other things being equal. I bought a 94 e320 with 128k 5 years ago for 3200. Sold it last year with 182k for 2600. I thought I underpaid a bit..but I think I sold it about for the right price.

[94Wagenmeister]

Lee's advice is sound. If/if he's the original owner and it's been his daily driver at 5K miles a year, chances are most of the things that can go wrong have already. The problems Lee mentions aren't car specific. They ALL have them. Add to his advice a check on the transmission. Ask if it's ever been serviced. Check the fluid for freshness, and, if possible, ask to start the car cold in the morning (first start). That's when the slip from R to D is most noticeable. There's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes, and this one's pretty cheap. Just sayin'...

[lee polowczuk]

that said i think the 94 and 95 e 320's are the best 124's .. the 104 beats the 103 engine hands down... plus you get the nice facelift.

[skinnison]

Is this a sedan or wagon you are looking at?

Another way to check the tranny is to back up a hill and see if it hesitates. Reverse is prone to go on these.

Maintenance records are very important. The head gasket will need to be done if it already hasn't been. You will see oil coming down the side of the block near the waterpump, or you will find oil in the coolant. I got about 180K miles out of mine before doing the head gasket. Mine only showed signs in the coolant.

Try all the window switches to make sure that they go up all the way. Also check that the antenna mast works and speakers work. Not that these are deal breakers but they could offer you some bargaining room.

I am not sure where you are located, but if the car is spotless, and he has records for the wiring harness and the head gasket, and the tranny is good, he might get something like $8K-9K for it. I think one just sold with 80K miles in perfect shape for over $10K.

On a side note, the wiring harness is not a definite failure item. Although almost definite. I say this because mine is original and has had no issues. I am loosing cruze control, or at least it is wavering. My mechanic told me it was something else I have opted not to repair.

Good luck! Hope you get a good deal. This is one of the best cars out there!

[jcyuhn]

If it looks reasonable, drives OK, and doesn't need any major repairs I was thinking $3K, perhaps $3.5K. Compare it to this car: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-cars-sale/339656-fs-1993-w124-300e-2-8-phoenix-az-area.html assuming it will sell for a few hundred less than that asking price.

I'd like to see some more info based on what the previous poster has stated wrt value. His numbers are almost exactly what I paid for my 1993 300E 2.8 with 80K miles - when I bought it in 2003. You can buy the best 210 E320 out there or even a 211 car for that kind of money. I wouldn't pay that for a daily driver 124 sedan or wagon.

[skinnison]

Here is one: http://motors.completed.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Trucks-/6001/i.html?MotorsShowItems&_nkw=mercedes+1995+e320+wagon&_dmpt=US_Cars_Trucks&LH_Complete=1&guest=1

Not sure if the link will work, but this one just sold for $6,900 and had 178K miles on it.

I couldn't find the one I was referring to, but it was sold about a month or two ago for about $10K, maybe it was $9,500.

The wagons are desirable and are great for daily use. I have been driving mine for 10 years and it has broken down one time, (when I hit a pot hole and broke my axle).

Maintenance records are everything!

[meltedpanda]

I just bought 99 E320 with 98K ALL and I mean ALL service records and intervals completed. I paid under $5500
It needed tires
I love it , great car.. Check sold listings on ebay - they set the floor. Lots of folks think they are worth more than they are..

[jkazzoun]

For 94/95 models, eBay only shows three sedans or wagons sold with low mileage (under or near 100k):

Sedan, 35k, $10.5k
Wagon 39k, $9.95k
Sedan 60k, $8.5k

For 99 models:

Sedan 89K, $7.3k
Sedan, 22k, $11.6k

I think late 124's are going for as much as later E class because they are, well, older and have a great reputation for solidity.

"Lots of folks think they are worth more than they are.. " - I'd say they are worth whatever the market is willing to pay. I personally value low mileage, late model 124's highly, more so than the 210's. That's just my preference. From what I've seen, looking for an S124 (wagon) for the past 5 months, the value seem to have increased vs. a year or two ago.

Same with 107's, which have become "cool" again with people other than Mercedes aficionados, after continuing to drop in value for several years. I had some 16 year old skateboards drive by me when I was filling the tank in our 560SL and one of them shouted, "That's a sick ride, dude!"

[meltedpanda]

yup took me 2 years to sell my W107. She went to a good home in Chile. They seem to have high respect there. Here it is better but not where it needs to be. Granted Pearl was a 72 and in near perfect condition