Since you're not wedded to getting a 95, I would urge you to consider the 90-93 300D as well. Also W124 and wonderful cars. My guess is that, if you're patient, you can find a really nice example in the $3,000 range.
Any of the cars under discussion can run up a maintenance bill over time....so knowing the maintenance history is a real plus.
I drive both a 98 E300 and a 91 300D. I love them both. Different forum members will have different takes, but since you asked me....in my opinion, the only downside to the 98 is its susceptibility to rust, especially the safety-related spring perch issue. If you buy one, just realize you need to stay on top of things and address rust sooner rather than later...I've already spent $700 to address rust on all four wheel wells. Yes, the W210 is more complicated and thus has more that can go wrong. But the combination of performance, safety, and creature comforts is tough to beat for the money. If I had $5000 in my wallet and had to have only one car, it would be a 98 or 99 E300 (glad I own one of each!
...my son drives the 99).
For what it is, the W124 is perfect. And it doesn't have the same susceptibility to rust as the W210. Its simpler...but also less advanced, so there are trade-offs.
The vent is for the air intake.
As to the issue of longevity, while all these cars can go many, many miles, it may be that rust will kill a W210 before anything mechanical does. If I were thinking purely in terms longevity, I might lean toward a 95. There are examples of cars with original engine and tranny up in the 400-500k range.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tortoise84
Great points, Shertex.
Thanks for the price ranges. No, I'm not wedded to the 1995 E300D. (although I do like the look of that air vent on the right fender, what is that thing?) Ultimately, I just want a low-maintenance, LOW COST (operating costs), fuel efficient, diesel Mercedes that will last a good long while. Performance and luxury are not really that important to me but I want it to be clean and reliable and I'm trying to find the sweet spot in value of a used diesel Mercedes >15 years old. I thought a W124 would have less costly replacement parts, but that was an assumption on my part. Even after the financial beating I've taken with my W123, I guess I'm still not yet believing the old adage that "There's no such thing as a cheap Mercedes!"
As far as the '95 W124 vs. the '98 W210, I am not well versed on the differences, as I am only familiar with the W123. What do you see are +'s and -'s of each in a nutshell? Thanks for your help!
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