Looking for a sedan and came upon a 95' E300D with less than 50K miles for sale by a private owner. Original owner, always garaged etc,. The price? $15,000.

Is this a fair price?

I'm for the diesel (60 mile 1-way commute, but will car pool), but my wife is turned off by the diesel smell and noises she associates with diesel cars (she will be the primary driver). Would this car emit noticeable diesel smells and noises?

We've owned a basic (no AC, manual windows etc) 89' 260E in Germany and did like the car overall (we are in the US now).

TIA
MarkC

Usually, people mistakenly think that a diesel car will have the same noise and smell factors as a diesel truck. Once you drive a good running MB diesel car, you realize that is not a fair comparison. In fact, most here on the forum, who have wives that drive MB diesel cars, say they can't pry them away from them.

Mostly, it will probably depend on their driving habits ie... steady or a stomp-on-the-pedal sprinter that has to pass someone. If the latter, sorry she will probably never be satisfied with a diesel.

Also, contrary to popular belief, diesels are not slow, they just have different driving characteristics than gassers. How familiar are you with driving a diesel will, more than likely, factor on how easy you will be able to convince someone.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Thanks for the replies.

No concerns about power, as my wife drives very conservatively, as do I (at the speed limit). I hope I didn't give the impression with my first question about the power issue.

I do wonder if $15,000 is a bit steep for this car from a private seller (no recourse if there are probs as with a dealer who would offer a 30 day/1K mile warranty). And because of a private sale are there any specific probable problems, specifically related to this engine as well as in general to the late W124 which I should look for when inspecting and driving the car. I'm fairly mechanically competent, but have no experience with diesels.

I also read on one forum that the engine is electronically controlled, while another member wrote it was all mechanically, just wondering who is right.

Any information and or experiences owners wish to share are highly welcomed.

TIA MarkC

Cant advise on the price being the other side of the pond but the 95 E300D model is an absolute peach. The sound insultation is excellent so inside the cab you cant tell its a diesel. Freeway cruising I would say the engine is smoother than many gassers. Test drive it and you'll see. Longevity comes as standard. Over here in Europe they use them as taxis and its not unusual for them to exceed 1,000,000 kms. Mine has 175,000miles and runs like new. I get 33mpg (thats imperial gallons mind you)

The other thing I would say is make sure it has complete history.

E300D's are just great
Keith

There are a number of us "biased" owners of '95 E300D's out there. Last year for the W124, first year in the US for the 606 diesel. It's a good car, period. Don't worry about electronics.

That price is STEEP. That car has very low miles - make sure it was well taken care of because long periods of sitting still can be problematic just as much as poor maintenance. Just speaking in general terms for any car.

IMHO if you get down to $12-13K or so and the car is MINT, go for it. You can buy high mile '95's for well under $10K.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 185K

I agree that the price is a bit steep. I would think $13.5 would be a good price. I paid $11.5 a few years back when it had 111K miles.

Generally speaking,
two weeks ago, I had the suspension refreshed (front struts, rear shocks, motor mounts, steering components, etc..) so it runs like new. Stay on top of any diesel leaks and probably at some time, you will want to take off the intake for cleaning and at that time, change glow plugs and examine the fuel lines for leaks.

I've been real pleased with mine. It is the one car that I could see me holding on to for another 4-10 years.

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Mark Herzig
1995 E300D 153K
1985 300D 142K (sold)
1979 450SL 122 miles (sold)
1992 500E 127K (sold)
1987 300SDL 132K (sold)
1986 300E 161K (sold)

For a car with less than 50,000 miles, it is a good price.

'95 E300D's with < 50k occasionally show up on ebay, and always sell for more than $15,000.

You cant go wrong with a 606 diesel. I have a newer 98 with a turbo, a great car. I love the style of the w210 as much as the style of the 95 w124. The 24 valve 606 is a very quiet diesel. Many people cant believe that the car is a diesel. I love the sound of a diesel engine, so i wish mine was a bit louder.

On a side note, diesels do not like to sit, they like to be driven, and hard. Low mileage cars have their downside, but so do high mileage cars, many worn parts need to be charged. The benifit of buying a low mileage, one owner car is that it was most likely religiously cared for. Make sure it has records though, with out them you have no proof of its history.

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2002 G500 74K
1998 E300 200K and rising
1995 S600 73k


"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering
if they've made a difference. The Marines don't
have that problem."-Ronald Reagan

"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them
what to do and they will surprise you with their
ingenuity."-General George S. Patton

For 15K you could almost buy two 95 E300Ds with higher miles. Though I paid MORE for my car three years ago, prices have come down more over the past couple of years...depreciation. I bought my car with 86K miles and now I'm at 148K. Great car, I am one of the biased folks on this forum. While it is a great car, any 11 year old car will need brakes/shocks/struts/suspension bushings/battery/fuel lines etc etc. This car is quiet for a diesel. 134hp isn't a whole lot but the torque and mpg makes up for it. Plus you'll get 650 miles per tank. I had a Nissan a couple of years ago with a small tank--got 220 miles per tank. Now that I have a 40 mile-each way commute I appreciate the mileage and the big tank.

Thanks for all the replies. However the car was sold before I could look at it.
MarkC

Hello

I just saw your post on the 95 E300D. Sorry you missed the car. Personally, If the car is as discribed I would have jumped at the chance to buy a garaged, southern, 50K, 95 E300D (w/PPI of course). I have always thought it is worth paying a premium for a clean ,low milage car w/ detailed books. In the end you will have a car you can enjoy and is not constantly in the shop racking up repair bills offsetting your original percieved "deal" purchase price. The previous reply had it right when he would buy it over any new $15K car.

I recently bought a 95 with 65K for $13,500. I put new tie rods, center link, steering damper and idler arm. The A/C system and glowplugs had been replaced at the dealer. The car is imaculate with perfect books. I have been driving 123/124 diesels for 20 plus years and this is one of the best all around in terms of build quality, ride and performance.

Cheers

GP Gunhouse

the only thing not discussed is the fact that your wife sounds as if she is diesel-averse. mine is too. i have gotten her to drive various diesels in the past including benzes and suburbans. a couple years ago she said she once wanted a car that she wanted instead of one i wanted... so i bought her a low mileage pt cruiser... ugh... she loves it. it now has 36,000 miles on it. it gets pretty poor mileage, about the same as my 03 dodge with cummins... it is handy and cute... oh yeah, i just spent about a grand replacing the head gasket... i guess they all do that... no worries, she still loves it...

i am a hopless diesel geek. but the exhaust still stinks if you get the wind the right way and if filling it you get any diesel on you or your clothes or shoes... well you know. if you get her one and she hates it... well you know.

good luck.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.