2000 e430 163k miles

[joegolden]

I wasn’t real sure where to list this. So I just thought I’d put it right here. Feel free to move it if necessary of course.

As a small Tennessee dealer I’ll probably buy 20 cars a year at auction. Very small. Mostly newer cars that I have sold. But every now and then something will catch my eye as a little project.

So at today’s auction I found a 2000 e430 with 163,000 miles. It’s had four owners so it has been passed around a little bit. It was certified Star Mark or preowned after the first owner. The second owner only kept it about three months. Third and fourth owners were fairly long term owners with the last owner taking it to Rbm Mercedes in Atlanta for service on the regular. Actually the only service records showing on the Carfax were from the last owner and where they took it to Rbm of Atlanta.

I bought the car sight unseen but the pictures look pretty good. White with tan interior It has a matching set of Pirelli tires. That have good tread left. The interior photos showed no unusual wear but the headliner is drooping in the back. All the trim and seats look good with the exception of the radio needing the code but I know how to get that. It comes with 2 keys so this is a HUGE and very unusual bonus.

Now....the fun part....hoping that Manheim was honest with the condition report. The car scored a 2.4 points out of 5 Which is not great. But not at all unusual for the age of the car. Most of the negative has to do with the exterior. It does have some hail damage to roof and trunk lid. Car spent some time in OK. There are deductions due to headliner droop and staining. Interior handle wear a crack in the bumper. The radio code. A bunch of small stuff. Usually if there are any warning lights on, the air-conditioning doesn’t work or anything mechanical wrong with the car IT will be listed in the notes They Even make notes if it’s low on fuel. There were no additional comments. Said title was here and ready to go.

So I bought it for $1560 after auction fees. I will go get it this weekend. Fingers crossed. Always an adventure going downtown Atlanta and fishing your bought car out of the sold lot with 1000 cars sitting in it Hoping no one has vandalized it or stolen something off of it. It happens. I bought a Honda Odyssey 2 yrs ago and someone managed to steal half of the dash board. Lol
Maybe not this time.

I shall return with a verdict soon

[Hirnbeiss]

Keep us posted. You probably already have a good source or DIY for the headliner repair. At this mileage, I would plan on an AC refresh (receiver-dryer, possibly new compressor), since it’s straightforward and cheap if DIYed. Also, fan clutch may go soon; fresh thermostat and oil change to keep condensation out of the engine in winter. You may get an oil leak out the front of the engine at the oil pressure port - cheap, new gasket. Don’t be alarmed at CAN-bus weirdness - just patiently diagnose and isolate the actual culprit (likely right rear window motor/controller).

[joegolden]

Just got home with it. She ran and drove super! 110 miles home. Ran about 80 the whole way. Got 23 mpg according to computer The radio code was with books in glovebox. Radio sounds good. It has absolutely no hail damage. It does not have any dents or scratches. Very weird and conflicts with condition report. I thought I had the wrong car. But trust me there was only one white 2000 e430 at the auction. Sunroof worked even tho report says inop. It looks like a 4.5 out of 5 instead of a 2.4 The only issue is wear mark on center armrest, droopy headliner in way back, and a broken headlamp tab.

Tires are matching pirelli p zeros all like new Cold a/c all electrics work. 2 keyfobs that are mint. I’m really waiting for the “mike drop”. Engine compartment clean with a brand new fan clutch, water pump and semi recent alternator. All fluids look good. Needs an oil change even tho based on my opinion and not the cars So it will be done ASAP. No warning lights.

Ah “mike drop”. I did a foot to the floor pass as I got close to the house. It never would upshift. Stayed stuck in 2nd the last mile home. I restarted car and all is fine again. Bu5 I have been down this road once before years ago on my 01e320. Can’t remember what fixed it?? Again no warning lights. So I may know now why it was so cheap! Who knows. Thanks for letting me share. Joe

[engatwork]

Make sure the kickdown switch is not sticking.

[joegolden]

Jim I sent u a message. Thx

[joegolden]

Well she has been trouble free since the conductor plate. Soooo I change the oil today because it had about 9k on it. Yes I know. Too long. I have checked it often AND had the oil cap off several times.

Take off oil cap today to do an oil change and the cap is covered in grey poupon goo. I am just sick.......no coolant loss. Oil drained out clean But that damn cap. Guess it’s a small head gasket leak? She don’t run hot either. All has been perfect.

[engatwork]

covered in grey poupon goo.

I don't remember the exact configuration but I'm not sure this is something to worry about. On some cars the oil fill is configured in such a way that fresh, hot oil does not "flow" through this area so you get what you got.

[Sugar Bear]

Clean the cap thoroughly and keep an eye toward it. Have an oil analysis done to detect coolant after putting a few miles on the new oil. There is a good chance it is condensation built up from short trips and extended oil changes, seen it before.

The head gaskets may be good.

Good luck!!!

[Hirnbeiss]

Not uncommon on this engine in cold weather. The car doesn’t warm up enough to vaporize the water condensate. In my case I:
1. Replaced the thermostat (the original may leak a bit, preventing hot enough operating temperature.
2. Ensured the crankcase vent ports in the valve cover were clear by poking a wire through them
3. Tried to get a 20+ minute drive in every day I drove the car.

[oldsinner111]

is that the model,that front wheel rust off?

[joegolden]

Thanks guys. I did a little more research and the sub freezing temps this week in GA along with lots of rain. Short drives to work and home. I’m convinced it’s just condensation. But I will be watching closely. I drove it on 160mile road trip today 80+ mph. No issues. Cap, oil, coolant all look perfect ! So oil analysis I maybe a good idea.

Quick ? Off topic. If I do not have a magnet in my trans pan should I gel one ASAP? Thx. I noticed I didn’t have one when I did a conductor plate service

[Sugar Bear]

Not ASAP on the magnet, when you can. Could probably add one externally instead of dropping the pan with a similar effect.

[engatwork]

Just add magnet next time pan is off.

[raymond~]

if you have that 722.6 tranny it wouldn’t hurt to reset that adaptive mode so that it will relearn your driving habits now. if you’re lucky it may resolve the downshift issue at the same time