looking at a few new to me cars- S430, E430, E320. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

amosfella · #1 05-03-2017, 09:51 PM

The old 95 S320 tranny decided to pack it in the other day. Been looking at what it would take to get it running. Looks like more than what the car is worth. So, I'm looking at the idea of upgrading. I may fix it later, but I don't need to be peeing around trying to do a tranny job while I'm working 18 hours a day 6 days a week for the next few months.

I live down gravel roads, so I'm conscious about the seal problems some cars have with the seals on the suspension getting eaten out. Will that be an issue with any of these cars?

Due to inspection requirements, I'm generally wanting 2002 and newer. So, here are a few in my area that I like. I haven't talked to any of these sellers yet, and wanting to know things to ask, features to not want, etc.

2003 S430. Guy claims that it's loaded with all the options. Mechanically solid with no leaks. Engine and transmission are excellent. Claims that coils and plugs were changed 8 months ago, and regular oil changes with synthetic oil. 4matic with comfort and sport mode. 214000 km

2002 e430 4matic. Black with black. couple of dings and rust. has HID headlights, cold air intake and muffler delete. 210000 km

2002 e320 4matic. new brakes rotors and pads all around, new water pump, regularily maintained. 224000 km

Thank you.

TX76513 · #2 05-04-2017, 10:03 AM

Having a long term ownership in the S430 I found it to be a wonderful ride. Two areas that the buyer should examine
- Airmatic system. Make sure its up to snuff as repairs can get into the thousands on a neglected system. You can read about the N51 system in a search. I qualified shop can put the system through it paces - my local Indy refers to this as the "rodeo". If you see it happening you will understand the term.
- MB had most of this worked out before 2003 but plastic parts, seals, buttons had a deterioration problem. Look at steering wheel buttons, mirror gaskets, etc. Its tends to be an eyesore that cleaning wont resolve and they don't give away the small part$.

tjts1 · #3 05-04-2017, 10:18 AM

03 is by far the most desirable w220 model year. It was the first year of the updated interior and the last year of the 722.6 transmission which is bullet proof. They next year they put the 722.9 transmission in it which had heaps of problems.

ILUVMILS · #4 05-04-2017, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

- Airmatic system. Make sure its up to snuff as repairs can get into the thousands on a neglected system. You can read about the N51 system in a search. I qualified shop can put the system through it paces - my local Indy refers to this as the "rodeo". If you see it happening you will understand the term...........

The "rodeo" routine is only for Active Body Control equipped cars, not Air-Matic........It's true that Air-Matic cars can be expensive to repair but it's nothing compared to ABC, believe me. I wouldn't buy an ABC equipped MB without pricing in a worst-case scenario.

My choice would be the E320..........

amosfella · #5 05-04-2017, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

Having a long term ownership in the S430 I found it to be a wonderful ride. Two areas that the buyer should examine
- Airmatic system. Make sure its up to snuff as repairs can get into the thousands on a neglected system. You can read about the N51 system in a search. I qualified shop can put the system through it paces - my local Indy refers to this as the "rodeo". If you see it happening you will understand the term.
- MB had most of this worked out before 2003 but plastic parts, seals, buttons had a deterioration problem. Look at steering wheel buttons, mirror gaskets, etc. Its tends to be an eyesore that cleaning wont resolve and they don't give away the small part$.

Seeing as this will be a daily driver an a lot of not so nice conditions, I'm not terribly worried about cosmetics. I don't want holy rust, but seals not looking nice will be the least of my concern if they function properly.

amosfella · #6 05-04-2017, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILUVMILS

The "rodeo" routine is only for Active Body Control equipped cars, not Air-Matic........It's true that Air-Matic cars can be expensive to repair but it's nothing compared to ABC, believe me. I wouldn't buy an ABC equipped MB without pricing in a worst-case scenario.

My choice would be the E320..........

Why would you pick the E320 over the others?

amosfella · #7 05-04-2017, 01:46 PM

I've talked a little to the guy that had the S430. Here's his response:

yes, it does have airmatic suspension. I have had this car for 3 years now and it has served me greatly. I drove it to Edmonton once a week till last week when the job I was doing has ended. (my note, that's about a 260 km trip one way depending where in Calgary he was leaving from, and where in Edmonton he was going could be as high as 330 km one way.)

Mechanically the car is excellent and I changed the coil packs and spark plugs just about 8-9 months ago. Transmission and engine are excellent.

The inside is also very clean and all leather and wood in excellent condition, no fading or no rips, etc...

I marked the body 7.5 out of 10 as just this winter it started a bit of surface rust around the back wheels and on the passenger side right very bottom of the door. A guy from Edmonton who was interested in buying, got a quote for $1390 to fix the rust. The windshield also has a crack on the passenger side.

The market value of this car is about $11,000 to $13,000 for a 4Matic (All wheel drive or 4x4 version of Mercedes) model that this is. (prices in Canadian dollars)

I thought whoever buys this can spent about $1500-$2000 and still be much below the market value. I had posted it for $7500 just about 3 weeks ago and have dropped my price.

I had 2 cars for sale, one got sold already and am trying to sell this so that I can buy a newer model of the s430 or s550.

If you'd like to view it, let me know.

thanks

amosfella · #8 05-04-2017, 01:59 PM

Also add in here a 2004 C240 4matic. Guy did a lot of upgrades for audio and phone support. 221000 km.

Any other types and years I should be looking at?? W211 maybe??

97 SL320 · #9 05-04-2017, 04:46 PM

Consider fixing what you have.

When deciding to fix a car I don't look at what it is "worth" used unless repairs approach 25% of the cost if a zero mile car , I look at if the car will be serviceable when fixed and sub 25% of new buys lots of parts.

I tend to buy $ 500 cars with bad engine / trans and think nothing of hanging $ 3,000 in parts on it, ending up with a car that effectively has 35,000 miles and getting another 150,000 easy miles out of it. Sure I could buy a $ 3,500 car that runs but over the next 150,000 miles I'd still be hanging $ 3,000 of parts on it.

The S430 guy sounds like a car guy, that's a plus.

tjts1 · #10 05-04-2017, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amosfella

Also add in here a 2004 C240 4matic. Guy did a lot of upgrades for audio and phone support. 221000 km.

Any other types and years I should be looking at?? W211 maybe??

I just picked up an 02 c320 wagon rwd for $1100. The handling is so much more responsive than any E or S class I've drive. Hell of a car for the money.

amosfella · #11 05-04-2017, 06:26 PM

I have been thinking about fixing the s320. However i don't have time to do a rebuild right now. I called the yards, and there's not a single car in Canada that has a good tranny to swap in. Every one is in there for the same issue. Tranny quit. Mercedes had a rebuilt one... For $10,500 cad. I can get an awfully nice used car for that. This one has the 722.508 tranny.

Right now, i don't have a month to wait for parts to rebuild the tranny.

Further on that car, there's an ever increasing amount of rust bubbling to the surface these days... Wondering if it's worth the effort to fix it...

As for the c class, I've been debating it. However id prefer a wagon. I haven't seen one of those for sale for a long time in my area.

amosfella · #12 05-04-2017, 09:59 PM

Further on the S430, I asked about maintenance records. Here was his reply:

There was not much work done in the last 3 years, just changed break pads when I bought the car and then the tires, balance and wheel alignment, coils and spark plugs about 9 months ago, and the oil changes every 4-6 months. I haven't kept the records. Work was done at Canadian Tire and local service shops.

Hirnbeiss · #13 05-05-2017, 07:01 AM

I would go for one of the W210 4matics, which would be nicer in the snow. The xenons would be nice given your hyperboran location, but it's a tradeoff vs the simplicity and better fuel efficiency of the E320.

amosfella · #14 05-05-2017, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirnbeiss

I would go for one of the W210 4matics, which would be nicer in the snow. The xenons would be nice given your hyperboran location, but it's a tradeoff vs the simplicity and better fuel efficiency of the E320.

I agree with you. One other consideration that I have been looking into is availability of parts from secondary sources. None of the local yards that have Mercedes have anything older than 2003 now. I'll have to be ordering in from a ways away if I go for the 210 chassis....

At this point, I'm not sure if I want to get into the w211 cars.

MAVA · #15 05-05-2017, 10:48 AM

2000-2002 E class are solid. A cheap W211 is not a deal as the SBC unit(brakes) as the SBC unit will have to be replaced around 300,000 brake cycles. The rebuilt SBC unit is right under $1000, so pick your poison-Non existant on W210.

I'm at 200k Miles on my E320 4-Matic Wagon(love the SLS shocks). I get 26/27mpg on the highway(200kmiles) with the tires inflated to 40psi... I haul everything with mine...

Read post 7 - The W210 is cheap to own, but do change ALLLLL the fluids...

E320 Wagon advice - Mercedes-Benz Forum

All the best,

Martin