1998 E300
 

Hello everyone,

I'm new here hope I'm in the right place to ask this. Are there any known issues with the 1998 E300? I found on that the wife likes and just trying to get input from other on the vehicle.

Thanks in advance.

First......your looking at a vehicle that is going on +11 years old (probably produced in the 3rd or 4th quarter of 1997 as a 98 model). There is bound to be something that needs attention on any vehicle that age not just a MB diesel. Its all about the maintenance history of the vehicle.

One of the problems encountered with the W210 bodied MBs in both gasoline and diesel models was the front spring perches were not properly welded to the wheel well and have been known to break loose over time.

All the clear plastic fuel lines, primary filter and fuel shut off valve used 0 Ring seals that age....harden and start to leak fuel.

Glow plugs have a tendency to seize in the head if they have not been replaced or removed for some time. Sometimes they break off when replacing the bad GP.

Rear power window linkage has a tendency to corrode and seize or break because of lack of use over time.

Early MB maintenance manuals had the transmissions listed as "life time fluid"
requiring no fluid changes.......which is a crock! Change the trans fluid & filter with a the correct MB rated fluid for that transmission every 60+ miles. Be leary of any E300 W210 that still has the original trans fluid in it from 10-11 years ago from the factory.

Outside of that may be some one else can chime in........

Those are the typical highlights. The leaky seals on fuel lines are just a nagging issue, not difficult to repair/replace.

The K40 relay (~$100) is another item that needs to be repalced periodically.

FYI - MB "currently" recommends 722.6 and .9 trans services every 39K miles as of early '09.

I really enjoy mine but I went into the deal knowing that I'd have to go through the whole car and straighten out what the previous owners had neglected. I was not disappointed... :)

I have put probably $1000 in repairs into the car in the 2 years I've owned it and it would have been MUCH more if I didn't do the work myself and find decent prices on parts.

Thanks for the fast responses. I spoke with the dealer and he stated he had replaced the fuel lines and o-rings on the car. I figured I would have some issues on a older car just wanted to know if there were any major ones. Ya'll have helped educate me and I'll look into\keep a eye on the other listed issues.

Thanks again. Looks like Momma is gonna get her E300 :)

What is the mileage/cost?

To be worth $10k it would need to be in impeccable shape with full records and have ~100k miles.

You will love it! They are wonderful cars. I've owned mine '99 E300TD since new, 10 years now. All in all, I'm glad I bought it. I haven't had most of the issues some of the '98-'99 E300TD bashers complain about. I guess it's all dependant on how I treat my car.

If you are buying it from a dealer I would negotiate to have them replace all of the glow plugs prior to sale. Also, if there is no proof that the transmission has been recently serviced then have them do that too as part of the sale conditions. That way you won't be dealing with either of those two projects for the next few years.

Exactly What I had done before I purchased mine and it was a private sale of a dealer serviced vehicle...