Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-26-2016, 12:59 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 34
Angry 1998 E320 one of the worst decisions of my life, good lesson though

These cars are not for people who can't fix most things- otherwise they will bleed you dry. Been problem after problem, few months back had a ton of work done on it. Wouldn't start 6 weeks ago, had AAA replace the battery when they came out and did their diagnostics. On the way home tonight "battery charge" red warning comes on while driving on the interstate, lights start fading, radio goes off, ABS warning, no turn signals, car goes into limp mode. Luckily only a couple miles from home, made it off the highway after nearly being killed by a guy going 80 who didn't see me because the lights weren't working- and there was nowhere to pull off (I was in the far right lane, no shoulder there, got off at first exit obviously).

Looks like either AAA put the battery in wrong (seems unlikely since it worked fine for 6 weeks) or the alternator is bad, but anyway this is the end. After putting $1300 in it 3 months ago and told it was in great shape, 2500 miles later it goes to the junkyard tomorrow.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-26-2016, 01:09 AM
lsmalley's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: California
Posts: 2,135
If I were close I'd take it off your hands.
__________________

1990 190E 3.0L
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-26-2016, 02:17 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 897
Junking it is a foolish decision. Get the problem fixed. You can then probably sell it for what you paid for it. It is hard to sell a car that doesn't start unless you want to take a big loss. However, selling it as is is likely to get you more than junking it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-26-2016, 04:19 AM
Hirnbeiss's Avatar
ich fahre, also bin ich
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: South Florida
Posts: 1,671
Any 5+ year old used car is not for people who can't fix most things - seriously.
__________________
Prost!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-26-2016, 06:37 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 15
To bad you are in the opposite Coast. I would take it off your hands.
Don't buy out off warranty in the future. Will save you a lot of disappointment and headache.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-26-2016, 07:40 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,534
And if you had a similar year VW Jetta you would scrap the car? How about any other random brand?

The charging system on this car isn't any different than most any other Euro cars ( many use a Bosch of Valeo alternator ) and in concept no different than any other car world wide.

There is no way a shop could predict a charging system failure ( or any other system for that matter ) without taking the entire car apart so don't blame them.

The the only bad decision being made here is to dump the car over a standard run of the mill repair.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-26-2016, 08:03 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Southeastern PA
Posts: 3,077
iuecon99, how many miles are on this 1998 E320? It's likely the voltage regulator needs to be replaced ... a simple and inexpensive DIY repair. No reason to junk the car until diagnosing the problem.

You may have heard the adage "there is nothing more expensive than a cheap MB automobile". Before buying any MB automobile, it is prudent to have a MB-trained tech perform a PPI (pre-purchase inspection). That will provide you with an evaluation of the car's existing condition and what major repairs are pending. It's an expensive proposition to buy any vehicle whose owner failed to perform any preventive maintenance. MB automobiles are relatively inexpensive to maintain if one has basic DIY ability for brake pad replacement, rotor replacement, oil changes, air filter changes, transmission fluid changes, spark plug changes, etc.
__________________
Fred Hoelzle
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-26-2016, 09:43 AM
Diseasel300's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 6,025
Quote:
Originally Posted by iuecon99 View Post
After putting $1300 in it 3 months ago and told it was in great shape, 2500 miles later it goes to the junkyard tomorrow.
You're driving an 18 year old car. Things can and do wear out, often at inconvenient times. Just because everything was "fine" 2500 miles ago doesn't mean they are now. From your description, you have a voltage regulator or an alternator that has failed. If it's original to the car, you got good life out of it and it doesn't owe you a d@mn thing. Fix the problem and keep driving the car, or if you're sick of it, sell it.

Over-reacting from a very common failure to ANY brand of car is a little dramatic...
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-26-2016, 12:06 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Newport News, VA
Posts: 359
I would bet the brushes are worn out. They are on an easily replaced part that includes the regulator, for less than $50, however the stealer would charge $500, or replace the alternator for a thousand. I just replaced mine in about a half hour.
__________________
'97 E 300 D
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-26-2016, 12:48 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,941
I owned a 99 e320 from new. They were crappy cars out of the box. The problem rate over time doesnt seem to have changed much, but the used car crowd has a much higher tolerance.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12-26-2016, 01:03 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,177
None of you guys ever owned a 211? Makes the 210 look like a shining gem

Seriously, every car with a combustion engine has an alternator. Every single one of them is in line for the exact same failure experienced by the frustrated owner. Considering that the alternator has likely turned at least 6 times as many revolutions as the engine at 6X engine speed, its pretty impressive they live as long as they do.
__________________

90 300TE 4-M
Turbo 103, T3/T04E 50 trim
T04B cover .60 AR
Stage 3 turbine .63 AR
A2W I/C, 40 LB/HR
MS2E, 60-2 Direct Coil Control
3" Exh, AEM W/B O2
Underdrive Alt. and P/S Pulleys,
Vented Rear Discs, .034 Booster.
3.07 diffs 1st Gear Start

90 300CE
104.980
Milled & ported head, 10.3:1 compression
197° intake cam w/20° advancer
Tuned CIS ECU
4° ignition advance
PCS TCM2000, built 722.6
600W networked suction fan
Sportline sway bars
V8 rear subframe, Quaife ATB 3.06 diff
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12-26-2016, 01:48 PM
ps2cho's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chandler, Arizona
Posts: 3,525
Later w210's were better, but the problems the OP has listed doesn't sound anything serious...More than likely the alternator or VR is weak, so it prematurely failed the battery...New battery, now the alternator is the weakest link. Just a string of items.
It would be a different story if you were listing off big ticket items, but these are all minor, common wear items for a 18-yr old car.

Goodluck buying ANY 18 year old car with 150k+ that will drive 50k without you spending a penny, including a Honda.

Don't buy early 211's either! In fact...as a rule, just don't buy ANY model from ANY manufacturer for the first few years. Buy the last year or two of that body style/engine/chassis generation and they almost always will be very reliable.
__________________
2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 12-26-2016, 02:45 PM
bsmuwk's Avatar
124.051
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IL / WI
Posts: 1,013
Do yourself a favor - buy something with a warranty.

or buy a mechanics tool set from Sears and start doing research. The W210 is literally one of the EASIEST Mercs to do anything on.
__________________
Allen Kroliczek
Oak Grove Autosport | Oak Grove Autosport
01 G500, 82 300TD, quite a few more.....
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 12-26-2016, 02:50 PM
Skid Row Joe's Avatar
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: #KeepingAmericaGreat!
Posts: 7,071
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mxfrank View Post
I owned a 99 e320 from new. They were crappy cars out of the box. The problem rate over time doesnt seem to have changed much, but the used car crowd has a much higher tolerance.
This ^^^

My opinion of the model coincides, mxfrank.

The fact that the car is aged, doesn't help with it's dependability factor. It kind of should be expected that these cars will have breakdowns occur routinely. Should expect up to thousands a year in repair expense. Not to mention the inconvenience factor.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 12-26-2016, 05:34 PM
jake12tech's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 2,878
Not sure if you expect us to feel bad for you or something. It's given 18 years of great service and things wear and break just like any car. Don't buy a used car if you can't afford to fix it, or don't have the mechanical aptitude to work on it yourself. Just buy a warrantied camry and trade it in every couple years. These cars to me are way nicer and cooler than a honda or toyota, so I'd rather use my own time to fix it.

My advice to you is replace the alternator or regulator and sell it. If I lived closer I'd give you $400 for it and drive it for another 150K miles.

__________________
Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:55 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page