I found a 1999 300 Diesel an I have a question/concern. The car seems to be in good condition, but they have been changing the oil & filter every 13K miles. Service work has been done at dealer and they have been using Mobil 1 synthetic.

The oil/filter change intervals seems to be excessive, but called dealer and they stated that intervals were ok. Car has about 160K miles.

I was planning on taking the car to a local MB garage and have a pre purchase inspection done, but thought I would get some input from you guys before hand.

Comments/suggestions would be appreciated.


Johnny

The front spring perch rott on those, better be sure they are OK.
The front rear-subframe bushes might need to be changed at this mileage as well as
The front links and anti-roll bar bushes.
Take off the back wheel and look at the chassis where it meet the sub-frame, I had a hole there ( corrosion)
You might want to know if the gearbox oil/ differential as been changed.
Mainly is the corrosion (due to the water base paint/ primer ) that kill them.
Does it come with 2 keys? A spare key cost 200 pounds here...
I think its about it?
Oh, does the glow plug light come off and stay off after the engine started? If it come back on you need to change some glow plugs or the relay or both.
Also the SRS light need to be on when you turn the key then it will go off normally, when I got mine I was not aware and the seller took off a fuse for the light to stay off all the time, I got aware of this after a month driving with no airbags...
Olivier

__________________
E300TD year 2000. RUSTY SOLD
cost a fortune to maintain on the road
but run well on WVO
Second Merc died due to corrosion ( NOT rust) How can mercedes get away with that for so long?
Third lasted a month then went away...
Fourth now... Corroded too...

For an engine that new on synthetic oil, that doesn't sound excessive enough to cause problems. It's more than I would personally have done, but it seems to be okay, by and large.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

The oil/filter intervals sound OK to me. I change my '99 E300TD's @ 10K mile intervals using Mobil 1. If that helps you.

The car has FSS, a system which calculates when to change the oil based on usage, miles, time, etc. A 13K interval is normal for a car that sees a mix of city and highway driving. So long as it has always had appropriate synthetic oil there is nothing to be concerned about. Essentially, this car has followed the factory recommended service intervals.

Mine (using FSS), trips at 16K miles. When tested, it has more than 50% of the oils TBN remaining at that mileage. I drive 80% freeway miles and very few short trips where the engine fails to get to full operating temp before being shut down.

Other folks driving mostly city miles will trip at 7-8k.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Thanks for the input. I was not aware of the FSS system and how it alerts you to change oil/filter. This makes me feel a lot better, because I felt maybe 13K was pushing it. The car is looking like a good vehicle to buy. I have an appointment Thursday AM to have a pre-purchase inspection.

Another item which I wanted to get your input is on the windshield. The windshield has a crack in it running from just above steering wheel, maybe 12" from bottom of windshield to the left corner of the windshield. The owners had a company try and repair the chip, but it cracked further after the repair. NC state inspection law will allow you to drive with a cracked windshield as long as crack is not a safety hazard ie impede your field of vision. Should this type of crack tend to remain stable, or is it just a matter of time before the crack goes in the opposite direction?

Not sure how much it will cost to get windshield replaced, but plan on checking that out to determine expense. Also, thought maybe I would ask the current owners to get windshield fixed prior to me purchasing car, especially if they have comprehensive insurance.

Hi, are you anywhere near the Triangle area? I'd be willing to take a look at the car with you.

Besides what was mentioned, check the AC and make sure it is working properly. Start the engine from cold and make sure it idles smoothly.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

CarTek, thanks for the offer. I live about 11/2 hours away. I am taking the car into a local shop here in Greenville tomorrow so I will make sure they check the AC out throughly. The current owners had some AC work done last year so I am going to try and get the repair info before I take car to shop for pre purchase inspection.

The car has approx. 165K miles and they are asking $9500. Is that a fair price or should I offer less.

Because there are so many available - I'm rather discerning when it comes to buying pre-owned. Depending on it's condition - with those miles, I would not give over $6500 -$7000 - and it would need to be in near perfect condition.

I've know a few ppl with them. Transmission problems- make sure he checks for codes.



Michael

Glow-plugs seizing in the hole are a problem on this car sometimes from what I read here, have the glow-plugs been changed in recent history?

The windshield crack will continue to propogate, only a matter of time and stresses (bumps, temperature changes, etc.). Windshield repairs are typically for chips, once a crack starts it becomes a stress-riser which is difficult to overcome, it will continue. The selling price should reflect the cost of a replacement windshield (OE if it were me, with the M-B star/logo).

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

That's a lot for that car today...I'd say closer to $7000-$8000 would be reasonable and fair if the car checks out. 13K between changes on M1 is OK, don't worry about that but make sure the tranny has been serviced (at least once and probably 2X) or else you might be looking at a new one soon.

Windshield replacement is pretty cheap for OEM replacements ($300-$400) unless you hold out for the OE Mercedes star on it, in which case you will be looking at double that probably.

__________________
Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz