Hey guys,

I'm looking to buy a '95 e300D and I'm interested in this beauty:

1995 Mercedes Benz E300 Diesel

The car is super clean aside from a cracked bumper. No accidents, no veggie oil. Dealer serviced with records. Garaged its whole life. New tires and battery. The owner bought it from the original owner, an elderly couple, last year. He's trying to turn it over for a profit, but the price seems way too high, according to Bluebook. I want to make an offer if it checks out, but I don't want to get ripped off!

He said he'd negotiate, but that "all the others like it have 250K mi. and are going for $6K". What do you think I should offer? What would be your walk-away price?

6 to 7 k tops for that car. Unless it's a total museum piece. I would check every square inch of that body for rust, being that you are in northern IL, before making any offers.

Typical span on eBay for the later models:
96-97 non turbo 210s 4-6 k
98-99 turbo 210 5-8 k
05-06 CDI 211 10-13k

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

First off, I highly doubt that it's the case that there are a bunch of examples with 250k miles going for $6,000.

His asking price is high, arguably unrealistically so, but there have been some examples on this forum of very low mile examples going for $10k or close to it.

If I REALLY wanted a 95 and found one in pristine condition with less than 100k miles, I could see going as high as $7500. But, if I were open to other years and models, even $7500 seems too high.

Soooo....are you intent on getting a 95? I picked up my 98 E300 with 73k miles for $5500. I understand the weaknesses of the W210, but I would much rather own my 98 than a 95 (although I know the 95 is a great car).

As an aside, it's amazing to me that the guy is trying to market the car without an extensive set of high res photos. Tells me he probably doesn't know what he's doing.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Thanks Jay Bob,
I'll definitely go over it carefully with a fine toothed comb. Rust is a deal breaker!

Another issue with that particular year and model is the wiring harness. Apparently the insulation self destructs and can cause all kinds of issues that are expensive to fix.

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96 E300d

Great points, Shertex.
Thanks for the price ranges. No, I'm not wedded to the 1995 E300D. (although I do like the look of that air vent on the right fender, what is that thing?) Ultimately, I just want a low-maintenance, LOW COST (operating costs), fuel efficient, diesel Mercedes that will last a good long while. Performance and luxury are not really that important to me but I want it to be clean and reliable and I'm trying to find the sweet spot in value of a used diesel Mercedes >15 years old. I thought a W124 would have less costly replacement parts, but that was an assumption on my part. Even after the financial beating I've taken with my W123, I guess I'm still not yet believing the old adage that "There's no such thing as a cheap Mercedes!"
As far as the '95 W124 vs. the '98 W210, I am not well versed on the differences, as I am only familiar with the W123. What do you see are +'s and -'s of each in a nutshell? Thanks for your help!

Pimpernell,
Thanks for the warning about the wiring harness. Is this a fatal flaw for the '95? I don't like the sound of "self-destruct" and electrical. I have enough electrical problems to deal with in my W123. This car allegedly has been garaged all it's life, could that make a difference?

How do you like your '96 E300D?

I have a 100% rust free 95 E300 with 322k miles for sale that is as reliable as they get. The a/c does not work but I would drive the car across the country if I felt like I need to go. The first $1800 that shows up gets it. Wiring harness has been replaced. Transmission was rebuilt at 250k miles. Probably the best buy for $1800 out there.

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Jim

Since you're not wedded to getting a 95, I would urge you to consider the 90-93 300D as well. Also W124 and wonderful cars. My guess is that, if you're patient, you can find a really nice example in the $3,000 range.

Any of the cars under discussion can run up a maintenance bill over time....so knowing the maintenance history is a real plus.

I drive both a 98 E300 and a 91 300D. I love them both. Different forum members will have different takes, but since you asked me....in my opinion, the only downside to the 98 is its susceptibility to rust, especially the safety-related spring perch issue. If you buy one, just realize you need to stay on top of things and address rust sooner rather than later...I've already spent $700 to address rust on all four wheel wells. Yes, the W210 is more complicated and thus has more that can go wrong. But the combination of performance, safety, and creature comforts is tough to beat for the money. If I had $5000 in my wallet and had to have only one car, it would be a 98 or 99 E300 (glad I own one of each! ...my son drives the 99).

For what it is, the W124 is perfect. And it doesn't have the same susceptibility to rust as the W210. Its simpler...but also less advanced, so there are trade-offs.

The vent is for the air intake.

As to the issue of longevity, while all these cars can go many, many miles, it may be that rust will kill a W210 before anything mechanical does. If I were thinking purely in terms longevity, I might lean toward a 95. There are examples of cars with original engine and tranny up in the 400-500k range.

__________________
14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Just saw engatwork's post...that 95 of his sounds like a lot of bang for the buck.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

If I needed another car I'd be headed to Georgia. I've got a fairly rusty 95 E300D with 370k that was given to me, I've put nearly 1800 into keeping it running so far...

Sounds like a good deal to me!

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1982 300D (w123, "Grey Car")
1982 300D (w123, "Blue Car")
2001 Ford F150 "Clifford" (The Big Red Truck)
1997 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
1996 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
Previous Vehicles:
1995 E300D, 1980 300SD, 1992 Buick Century, 2005 Saturn Ion

Seriously, why do these deals only show up halfway across the country from me..... *grumble grumble grumble*

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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

Hmmmm... I've driven further for less...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I would stick with your Blue Book pricing. If you let that be your guide it'll keep you from overpaying for it. What does your Blue Book say it's worth?

The last used MB diesel I bought, I paid low book on it. That got the deal done.

Engatwork,
Thanks for the offer. But I'm looking for something with real low miles, a granny car, which this one happens to be, as long as the seller is telling the truth. But given people's reaction, it sounds like you won't be holding on to that car very long!