W210--What year to avoid?
 

Looking at getting into a W210, and wanted to ask all of you which year or engine to avoid. Does anything stand out on some of these models? 6 or 8 cylinder? I am thinking in the 1999-2001 E320 range depending on miles etc.. Also is Starmark recomended for the premium?

Thanks as always guys.

Q-ball

I have talked to lots of current and former 1998-1999 E300 turbodiesel owners that despise their cars, me included.

Later is better for the gasoline cars, and the 2000 is more desirable than the 1999, as it has the body updates and updated harmonic balancer. (I think 2K was the year that was fixed...)

Crankshaft Balancer
 

The crankshaft balancer was not upgraded to later build model 2000 vehicles. Early build model 2000 cars still have the problematic 00-00 crankshaft balancers.