Hello all, I just stumbled on the following ad in local paper:1994 E420,40,000 miles , all options,like new 15,000-FIRM.I currently own a 91 300e which has been a great car for the past 8 years.Can any one tell me what are the main areas / systems to check out on this car?what are the promlem areas,etc?Can the ASR be turned off ??I wasn't really in the market for a car now but this car's low mileage and v-8 have my interest!Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks,Dan

I've had a 93 400e for the last 2 years and it has been excellent so far except for the oil leak which I haven't diagnosed yet. The things to look for are:
1. Wiring harnesses - make sure they're in good shape.
2. Power steering pump - it is notorious for leaks.
3. Timing chain - make sure there is no noise or other problems with it.
4. Service records.

Since this car has only 15000 miles other than the wiring harness I wouldn't expect to see any major issues with it.
As for the ASR, I don't know if it can be turned off. One thing I can tell you is that once you drive this car you will NEVER want go back to a 6 cylinder. It is smooth & powerful and addictive.
Hope this helps.

smk_texas
93 400e 126k
99 Mercury Villager 70k

That 1994 E420 with 40k for $15,000 looks like a great deal at first glance. What is the condition of the paint and interior? I would check closely for body work and repainted areas. Does the owner have service records for the car? What's the history? Has it been sitting for an extended period or just driven sparingly over its lifetime? If this car has sat for an extended period there will probably be issues with deteriorated soft parts ... gaskets and seals. At any rate the V8 will be more expensive to maintain and fuel than the straight 6's that you're used to. Also, more cramped to work on if you do your own mechanical work. Before you buy have a mechanic experienced with MB go over the car completely so that you know exactly what needs immediate attention and what to expect in the long term.

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Fred Hoelzle

Are wiring harnesses an issue on the 8cyl cars just like the sixes?I realize the cost for routine service will be some what higher but I'm more interested in what the over all reliability will be like ?I bought my 300e 7 years ago with 40k mi on it(now 133k)and replaced awater pump@65k,head gasket@110k an EHA last week ,and very fastidious routine maintanance@factory recommended intervals. Can I expect similiar reliability from the 420?I have been able to perform all the work myself and would plan on doing so on the 420.Thanks for the replies. DAN

Dan,

If the 420 has been maintained properly I'd expect to see similar maintenance as your current 300E. The V8's are a bit tougher to work on due to space contraints and repairs usually take a little more time but still manageable.

The wiring harness can be an issue on the V8's, I just noticed deteriorated insulation on my wiring harness last week. It may not need immediate attention, but when it does act up expect to spend $500 for the harness and if you have a dealership do it expect to pay for 3 hours of labor.

Seeing as the car has low miles I'd pay close attention to the AC, if it wasn't used regularly it may have dried out seals.

Good luck should you decide to purchase....oh and I think you'll be very happy with the additional performance!

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Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

I just bought a 1995 E420 for 14k in June, 62k miles.

I thad the PS pump work done, and the 60k service (including rotors and caps). It's a great car.

Mileage is almost identical to the E320 - the tall differential gearing (2.24) is largely responsible for this.

My only GOTCHA on the deal was when the evaporator on the A/C went south about a month after I bought it. I still haven't replaced it - but I expect about a $2500 hit when I do (20 hours of labor).

Wiring Harness, and evap core are the 2 most expensive likely problems you'll encounter. Any shop can check these for you - and inspect the rest of the car to see if the PO maintained it like he/she should have.

Best of luck. I love my E420 - the only thing I plan on doing is swapping out the rear differential for more snap off the line. 2.65 and 2.82 are the options - I haven't decided yet. I'd love the 2.82 but am unsure how much of a mileage hit I'll take.

Troy
1995 E420 76k

Hey , thanks for all the input!I guess the pre purchase items to check are the same as the other 124 models.I've been trying to get in touch with the owner to set an appointment ,but have yet to reach him.I'll let you guys know what I find out ! Thanks again,Dan