1997 e420 152k. Just picked up. Lots to do
 

My neighbor had this car on CL for $5000 (smoking crack). Anyway it's a 3 owner and his deceased aunt was the second owner. Been in their family since 1999. Car is green with dirt interior. Yes. Dirt because it has never been cleaned once. BUT amazingly well maintained all records and sexy carfax. $2000 spent on various tune up parts from MB Plugs and wires o2 sensor mass air flow sensor etc. this car runs and drives smoother than any of the 10 or so benzs I have sat my butt in. But the car does have a few issues.

Blower does not blow except on lowest setting
Check engine oil level indicator comes on upon start up. It's full and fresh oil.
Washer fluid level low comes next. It's full too
Door locks inop
Some clearcoat failure. Oh well

Car hauls butt and shifts are imperceptible. I picked the car for $1800 once I showed him KBB and how filthy interior is. He didn't argue. It's a 3rd car now and it was insurance renewal time. So he was ready to sell. It had been on CL for 22 days and I was first nibble.

I love how this car handles and drives. So amazing. That v8 is like a sewing machine and no oil leaks anywhere.

Any tips or hints in the w210 v8. Never owned one before but look forward to making a daily out of it. Thx

check and review the TSBs for your model and not any recalls (service campaigns)

• weak rear window regulators
• weak CD changer design
• weak remote key distance un/locking, espec Smartkeys. i know you have switchblade key, right?
• climate control irregular performance
• door pin switches fail prematurely
• vulnerable location to water where air vacuum/pump, fuse cluster located under rear seat
• SDS wiring in pax seat easily broken from passenger weight (over time)
• taillights poor design and will trigger bulb malfunction
• do not over tighten gas cap or it will jam...trigger CEL warning
• sliding roof vulnerable to jam. study posts/threads. easily reinforce
• sliding roof cover will, over time, cause rattling within roof
• headliner will separate and droop
• any liquids spilled from front cup holder will pool into the lower/center console switches and disable the car
• transmission control unit seem to leak and wick tranny oil up to board and disable car
• brake switch seems to fail occasionally/frequently, requiring replacement
• CPS will fail...may as well buy one now

those things and many more but still......i {heart} my 99 E320 !

great Tech tips HERE.

good thing to look over HERE

good info/STICKIES on other MB 210 forums, too

Yes! Thank you! I notice a few of these things already.

My favorite is 3rd from bottom. That happened on my last w210. My 2001 e320. What a crazy scenario. The problem is caused by a $10 plug into the tranny that should be changed periodically right?


Oh and what is that last one about? I don't recognize the abbreviation

Thx raymond

Joe, sounds like you need to replace the level senors for the oil and washer fluid. Plan to replace the oil level sensor next time you change oil. The washer fluid level sensor can replaced anytime.

I own a 1998 E320 and recently replaced the brake light bulbs because the contact surfaces had developed flat spots over time and the "Lamp out" warning message appeared intermittently on the dash. The bulbs (Sylvania 7225) still functioned, but the flat spots affected the warning system.

Recommend running Mobil 1 0W40 in that engine.

Thank you Fred. I have that warning as well. Noticed this morning. Thx for the tech tip

Joe, CPS is crankshaft position sensor.