My son had an accident where the little slk 1999 behaved as supposed, rolled over and was hit while on its roof. He was able to climb out the window with a few scratches. That's why i love mercedes toughness. Now he has to replace the totaled car, he wants a all wheel drive and has a 8000 to 10000 budget. Commuter. I remember a couple years ago a Mercedes master mechanic posted that he would buy a MB but I can't recall the model! Are the Japanese cars as tough as the old MB when involved in roll overs and big accidents?
Thanks.

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Thanks, Juan

I think my Subaru Outback is as good as the 210 it replaced as far as accident protection, and that's saying a lot.

2018 Subaru Outback

Most classes from MY ‘00 have a 4Matic option. Only coupes, roadsters and AMGs don’t. In your price range anyway.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

I'd look for a clean, low mileage, 210 4Matic............

Thanks for your replies, I remember now ILUVMILS I think recommended the 210 4matic. Are you commending the E class or the C class? I see you own a c240 4matic, just wondering?

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Thanks, Juan

deportes, the 210 is an E-Class.

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Fred Hoelzle

Thanks for the clarification, I thought it was the E class. Not many for sale that are low miles, good indication!

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Thanks, Juan

I own a couple of 210’s and a 203 4Matic wagon ( not all my cars are listed in my signature ) They’re all great cars but if I could only keep one it would be my E320 4Matic. That being said, both the 203 and 210 MB’s are true workhorses and very DIY friendly...........

Does the 203 wagon have SLS?

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

Thanks for your reply, of the 203 which year and power plant would you suggest.


Not many e320 available in low miles and clean. May need to look at C class!
Thanks

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Thanks, Juan

I think 4Matic only comes with the C320 and C350. The M112 is just about bulletproof. Some (early?) M272s had balance shaft i$$ues. Watch out for ‘06 to mid ‘07 E350s. Once fixed it’s ready for a long life. ‘03 to ‘05 E320s have SBC which is essentially a brake assist pump good for so much time on the pedal. It’s a ~$1,000 part that can be DIY replaced if you have access to SDS. I don’t know what shops charge to change an SBC pump but it’s gotta be in $2,000 range. The. You’re good for another 10 years or so.

I’d be less concerned with miles than condition. A 120K mile car that’s well cared for could trump an 80K mile car of unknown provenance.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

Thanks for the information, need to stay away from balance shaft problems.

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Thanks, Juan

True to that.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

No, none of the w203s sold in the US had SLS. It was an option outside the US.

Keep in mind that the front suspension and brakes on the 4matics is completely different from RWDs and vastly more expensive to repair and maintain because there are no aftermarket options. For example Sachs, Bilstein, KYB and many others offer front struts for the RWD W203. Only the dealer offer 4matic front struts. Same goes for control arms, steering components, brakes etc.
C240 (m112) and later C280 (m272) were also available with 4matic. C240 4matic wagon is diesel slow and V8 thirsty.

As previously mentioned, get an m112 powered w203 (c240 or c320) or or w210 (e320) or w211. The m112 is the closest thing MB ever built to a bulletproof gasoline engines. Theres no VVT, simple port injection, double row timing chain, compact SOHC heads, no plastic components etc. The m272 that followed it was a big step up in complexity and power at the expense of reliability. And then there's the whole balance shaft thing.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words