Thinking about this smashed E300 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MercFan · #1 05-04-2014, 03:31 PM

It's a '98 with side damage on local CL:
1998 Mercedes E300 Turbo Diesel

Do these cars have unibody or do they have a frame? Concerned about side hit and damage to the frame. The ad also says that it needs a Mass Air flow sensor - do they even have such a thing on that diesel engine?

tjts1 · #2 05-04-2014, 03:36 PM

All MB cars have been unibody since the 60s. The only exceptions are a couple if SUVs.

65aircooled · #3 05-04-2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercFan

It's a '98 with side damage on local CL:
1998 Mercedes E300 Turbo Diesel

Do these cars have unibody or do they have a frame? Concerned about side hit and damage to the frame. The ad also says that it needs a Mass Air flow sensor - do they even have such a thing on that diesel engine?

Yes, they have a MAF which I believe is around $200. Seems high considering the mileage and damage.

PARSHOOT1 · #4 05-04-2014, 09:51 PM

Is the rear door damage in the picture the only damage to the car? Nothing else on the front or rear? Those doors at PicknPull are only $40. Fortunately I have a friend who's in the autobody repair biz & we pulled 2 doors, 2 fenders, & a hood for an '89 we're restoring and the total cost was only $200.

Have you been in contact with the seller yet? If yes, are there maintenance records?

Is rust a problem in Denver?

dtf · #5 05-05-2014, 11:41 AM

See if you can get photos of the spring perch area for both front springs as they fail and can cause huge problems. Fixing only one of them is about
$850. Also - I bet the motor mounts are shot and don't forget this has the 'sealed for life' transmission - see if it has been serviced for it too. Glow plugs seize up all the time too and snap off when taking them out.

The dented door is the least of your worries on this car.... I know - i've got one

shertex · #6 05-05-2014, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtf

See if you can get photos of the spring perch area for both front springs as they fail and can cause huge problems. Fixing only one of them is about
$850. Also - I bet the motor mounts are shot and don't forget this has the 'sealed for life' transmission - see if it has been serviced for it too. Glow plugs seize up all the time too and snap off when taking them out.

The dented door is the least of your worries on this car.... I know - i've got one

Prices must vary widely on fixing spring perches....$850 for one seems really high; local dealer would do both for $900. I could get BOTH of mine done for $600....and my auto body guy is first rate....does spring perches all the time.

jay_bob · #7 05-05-2014, 04:01 PM

I have that exact same car.

If you can confirm the remainder of the car is sound, I would jump on it.

Just beware of the following:
- spring perches as mentioned above
- hidden rust under door seals, and around the trunk lock and emblem (a weak spot for some reason)
- ac should blow nice and COLD
- MAF sensor is a 5 minute, $200 fix. Unfortunately you are probably in limp mode and the car is running like a dog. Try to take a can of MAF cleaner and a Phillips head and an OBDII reader with you if you go to look at it. Clean the MAF and clear codes, and see how it drives. Note that most likely the fail will come back quickly but it should give you at least a chance to see how it runs.
- Bring a set of Allen keys, remove the black cover over the head. Check for proper pressure line support and no leaks.
- Check over the front and rear suspension, it's 16 years old and the rubber is starting to age.

As mentioned above check the PNPs for early gen W210 doors. The other damage looks superficial and a good body shop ought to be able to square it up.

dtf · #8 05-06-2014, 08:55 AM

oh yeah....if you have access to the car see if you can smell fuel too. Those plastic fuel lines have a limited lifetime. They are not cheap to replace either.

jay_bob · #9 05-06-2014, 04:26 PM

The fuel hoses are not too bad, about $125 for the lot of 6 hoses, the three sealing washers needed for the one line that has a banjo bolt on the IP return, 2 meters of injector return hose, and a new o-ring for the shutoff valve. And the fuel filters and o-ring for the primary filter (that is not included with the filter, BTDT).

If you get this car go ahead and replace these items on principle, unless you have documentation they were recently replaced. The lines should be transparent between the preheater, fuel filter, lift pump, IP, and shutoff valve if they are new. If they are translucent brown they are fairly new. If they are a deep amber brown, almost opaque, it is time to change them.

If you have a leak, most of this system operates below atmospheric pressure, so you will force air into the system. This makes the car idle poorly. I had a rough, clacking idle and it got really pronounced at about 1250/min while coming up my street. Changing the lines and the shutoff and fuel filter o-rings made it run smooth and quiet again.

pawoSD · #10 05-06-2014, 07:25 PM

That's some bad damage. I'd walk.....$2950 for that? That's only $200 less than I paid for my mint W126 420SEL.

Not worth it. The 2000 onward W210's are much better anyways, even if they are gasser. The M112 gas engine is good enough that its not worth putting up with the early W210 issues for the diesel in my opinion. My brother routinely gets 30+mpg on the freeway in his 2002....on cheaper fuel...in a faster car...and the engine has been 100% problem free...and he drives a LOT.

JimFreeh · #11 05-07-2014, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

That's some bad damage. I'd walk.....$2950 for that? That's only $200 less than I paid for my mint W126 420SEL.

Apples to oranges, young Skywalker....

Jim

pawoSD · #12 05-07-2014, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

Apples to oranges, young Skywalker....

Jim

Ok, my dad just bought a mint low miles (122k) 1 owner 2001 E320 a few months ago for $4700. That's a more direct comparison. And its a facelifted W210, which are much nicer than the early ones.

vstech · #13 05-07-2014, 10:26 AM

... seems like the price could be negotiated down a bit... decent examples of the 98 are around 5K... scouring can score you 4ish

jay_bob · #14 05-07-2014, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Ok, my dad just bought a mint low miles (122k) 1 owner 2001 E320 a few months ago for $4700. That's a more direct comparison. And its a facelifted W210, which are much nicer than the early ones.

True but there is one problem with that:

The model number does not have a D or CDI after it.

I still say if the rest of the car is sound, offer $2250 cash, spend $1000-1500 to fix the damage, another $500 on MAF and preventative maintenance, and drive it like you stole it. That puts you right at $4k for a car that is still commanding $5-6k.

pawoSD · #15 05-07-2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_bob

True but there is one problem with that:

The model number does not have a D or CDI after it.

I still say if the rest of the car is sound, offer $2250 cash, spend $1000-1500 to fix the damage, another $500 on MAF and preventative maintenance, and drive it like you stole it. That puts you right at $4k for a car that is still commanding $5-6k.

I see you are completely diesel obsessed.

Sadly they did not offer my wagon in a diesel here or that would be what I have. I tried a VW diesel wagon for a while, it was a POS......maybe someday I will pick up a newer MB E-class diesel. Also with the way my wife drives (many 1-2 mile trips, and rarely more than 7-10 miles at a time) a diesel would die a slow tormented death. Gas engines handle stuff like that with less complaint.