Are '99 Mercedes 300 diesels any good? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jbach36 · #1 05-29-2009, 10:51 PM

I'm assuming the '99 Mercedes were as good as previous ones, but just wanted to check. I might look at one tomorrow.

I think they're basically a 6 cylinder like the 1995-1997 series motor, where the worst thing that can happen to them (other than the crummy a/c units) are the glow plugs that stick. Any other common problems with a '99?

Thanks,

Jeff
1991 300d

JimmyL · #2 05-29-2009, 11:40 PM

One of our members who never misses an opportunity to demonstrate how much smarter he is than the rest of we "great unwashed" will chime in on what he thinks about them. "Some" have had quite good luck.
They have quite a few issues with electronic type of things although "some" are in denial about that.
They are nice cars though when all is well. I especially love the back end that just screams Taurus.......

TylerH860 · #3 05-30-2009, 12:00 AM

Spring perches rust out. Be sure the check those.

nhdoc · #4 05-30-2009, 06:26 AM

My '98 which is basically the same as the '99 has been as reliable as any brand new car (after I spent a year or two playing catch-up on fixing things which had been ignored by prior owners). I can honestly say that for the past 3 years I have had to do little more than routine maintenance on it and it is about to turn 176K. If I were looking at one now I would want one with a good service history rather than low miles. With 176K on my motor it still barely uses any oil between changes and starts at the flick of the key so miles mean nothing but an abused engine will give you trouble with 50K on it. And yeah, the spring perches do have a tendency to separate from the frame rail...mine needed to have one side replaced last year, but, to my surprise, M-B stepped up and paid 100% of the cost of the repairs. I can't say they will do that for everyone with a 10 year old car (especially since I had a new one on order at the time - which probably was the reason they paid for it) but it bought some loyalty from me none the less.

Having said that I also enjoy the new found power after I had it chipped a few months ago. You will find few cars that can return around 30 MPG consistently that you can punch the pedal on and will push you back quite firmly in your seat as the 98 and 99 turbo 606 motors can short of buying a CDI or bluetec for considerably more $$$.

Happy hunting.

nhdoc · #5 05-30-2009, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

One of our members who never misses an opportunity to demonstrate how much smarter he is than the rest of we "great unwashed" will chime in on what he thinks about them.

Now who might you be speaking of??

KarTek · #6 05-30-2009, 07:03 AM

Jeff, I think in general that the 210 cars were built with a somewhat different philosophy than previous generations. They're a little soul-less but quite enjoyable.

My experiences pretty much parallel Marty's. I bought my car with 135,000 on the clock and it has 165,000 now. The car was in pretty rough shape when I got it - broken glow plug and numerous worn parts, shocks, etc...

Now, with everything fixed, I love it! On the highway it's a magic carpet ride. Even with all the windows and sunroof open, it's surprisingly quiet. It also has no rust, being from Texas.

I was somewhat intimidated when I first started working on the engine but I got a handle on everything pretty quickly. Manuals are of the video variety on DVD and quite pricey...

As far as the worst thing happening to the car, I'd say it's the transmission. Had a lady here on the forum that went through Hell getting her transmission repaired and though I don't remember how much the final cost was, I believe it was in the thousands. This situation is pretty rare though.

On another note, just for general comparison:

1996 OM606 NA, 4 speed auto.
1997 OM606 NA, 5 speed auto.
1998 OM606 Turbo, 5 speed auto.
1999 OM606 Turbo, 5 speed auto., a better radio and a couple more airbags among other things.

JimmyL · #7 05-30-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

Now who might you be speaking of??

I am not really allowed to refer to a specific individual. Hypothetically, if this person, say, always dishes it out, but when the time comes to take it they run {in panties might I add

} to the mods to report the post and cry about it, a person could acquire an infraction.

To change the subject, and on a COMPLETELY UNRELATED NOTE, my youngest daughter got the coolest little dolls today:

hobbitss · #8 05-31-2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

To change the subject, and on a COMPLETELY UNRELATED NOTE, my youngest daughter got the coolest little dolls today:

Oh, Oh....... You've got Trolls..........

What is old is new, they're back....

Abadjay · #9 05-31-2009, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

One of our members who never misses an opportunity to demonstrate how much smarter he is than the rest of we "great unwashed" will chime in on what he thinks about them. "Some" have had quite good luck.
They have quite a few issues with electronic type of things although "some" are in denial about that.
They are nice cars though when all is well. I especially love the back end that just screams Taurus.......

I think I know who you may be talking about..after observing some posts....

Sweet dolls! I didn't know they were still around.

husk · #10 05-31-2009, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbach36

I'm assuming the '99 Mercedes were as good as previous ones, but just wanted to check. I might look at one tomorrow.

I think they're basically a 6 cylinder like the 1995-1997 series motor, where the worst thing that can happen to them (other than the crummy a/c units) are the glow plugs that stick. Any other common problems with a '99?

Thanks,

Jeff
1991 300d

Are you looking for model specific items that pertain to all w210's, or just specific problems with the W210 Diesels?

Here is a list of common failures of all w210's:

MAF
Transmission Leak (Fluid migrates up the harness and toasts the TCU)
Cracked dash Pads
Rocking front seats
Melting Plastic Tail Lamp Holders resulting in "Lamp Defective"
Rust
EIS Problems $$$$$
Cable actuated window regulators snap
Spring Perch
Melting foglamp harness
Stop Lamp Switch
Rear Differential Leaks
Transmission $$$$$$
Instrument Cluster becomes pixelated

Let me know if you want a list of problems to look out for which are diesel specific.

pizzachef · #11 05-31-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I especially love the back end that just screams Taurus.......

Wow, I thought I was the only one who thought this...I've seen several Taurus's from afar and thought a Benz was coming my way. I keep attributing it to 40 yard syndrome.

matthias08 · #12 05-31-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pizzachef

Wow, I thought I was the only one who thought this...I've seen several Taurus's from afar and thought a Benz was coming my way. I keep attributing it to 40 yard syndrome.

X2. I detailed one yesterday... that late 90's headlamp style w/ the side markers where they are, is simply wack.

its ok... I think the 211 tail lights look like a camry.

back to the thread, I have a customer with a '97 W210 E420... the Xenons are an amazing feature... he always gets a lamp failure notification, and his keyless entry system is all buggered.

oh oh oh, and rust, around the rear plate, as well as the trunk button/key hole... nothing else I've experieced...

Skid Row Joe · #13 05-31-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

One of our members who never misses an opportunity to demonstrate how much smarter he is than the rest of we "great unwashed" will chime in on what he thinks about them. "Some" have had quite good luck.
They have quite a few issues with electronic type of things although "some" are in denial about that.
They are nice cars though when all is well. I especially love the back end that just screams Taurus.......

When did you ever own one?

Skid Row Joe · #14 05-31-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbach36

I'm assuming the '99 Mercedes were as good as previous ones, but just wanted to check. I might look at one tomorrow.

I think they're basically a 6 cylinder like the 1995-1997 series motor, where the worst thing that can happen to them (other than the crummy a/c units) are the glow plugs that stick. Any other common problems with a '99?

Thanks,

Jeff
1991 300d

None of the things you mentioned above, have happened to my 1999 E300TD. It's a great car!

Matt L · #15 05-31-2009, 02:06 PM

The '97 was the first year for the 722.6 transmission in the W210. That year had a defective design for the input shaft bearing and used a bushing instead. There is an updated part, but I believe that enough other hard parts must be changed so that it is impractical to update a transmission. I am not sure about that though.

Do you know if the '99 has the updated input shaft bearing?

Otherwise, the fluid in the TCM has been mentioned. There is a $10 part at the transmission side of the cable that should be replaced (it's easy to do once you drop the pan).

Also, not only is the cup holder a total joke, when it drops your drink it soaks the shifter module and sets you back about a grand. If I had a '97+, I think I would just remove the cup holder and use something else.