I went and did it... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

2.5Turbo · #1 02-03-2015, 03:44 AM

...I picked up a gasser. I'm no longer sparkless!

I figured if I was going to do it I might as well make it count with a V8.

Found a one owner, 2000 E430 that had just ticked over 100k. The paint looks really great for 15 years and the headlight lenses are crystal clear leading me to believe it was garage kept the whole time. It was bought new at my local MB dealer and was always serviced at MB dealers in the area.

No pix yet; by the time I drove it away it was dark. Need to work on an A/C diagnosis (EC is stuck on and there are a couple CCU codes set) and maybe motor mounts (vibrates a bit in drive at idle) but that's about it. Oh yeah, and the crappy 18" chrome aftermarket rims have got to go. The tires are relatively new Continentals so I don't know if I'll dump 'em until the rubber wears.

charmalu · #2 02-03-2015, 11:00 AM

Congrats on the new MB. Not a gasser lover, but happy for you.

With these newer cars, (Diesels too) you just bought a Computer on wheels. Hope she treats you well.

Charlie

2.5Turbo · #3 02-03-2015, 09:42 PM

So I did some work on nailing down the A/C issue today. The compressor turns freely by hand and I can't find any leak dye anywhere with a UV light. I need to take the belly pan off and check continuity of the compressor clutch as it isn't engaging and the CCU keeps registering the clutch code immediately after clearing it.

Some photos from the garage. Please excuse the crud; half the garage is currently storing my parents' stuff while they build their new one.

PARSHOOT1 · #4 02-03-2015, 09:46 PM

.....welcome to the "Dark Side"........

2.5Turbo · #5 02-03-2015, 10:02 PM

Thanks! I was hesitant at first (just look at my sig) but I wanted something different to tool around in town with, and we know the oil burners would much rather be on the highway. And it doesn't look like my 300D will be back on the road for a good while.

Charlie, you should see my new Jeep if you want to talk computer on wheels. 8-speed transmission and a big ol' LCD screen for a speedometer. Makes the W210 look like it came out of the stone age.

Around here, all the W210 Diesels are still commanding sky-high prices while the gassers can be had for a song. I looked at a '99 E300 a few days ago with 160k+ listed at almost $9000 that wasn't nearly as nice as this E430. I gave a reasonable offer and he flat out said no way. It's funny since the '05-06 CDI's are starting to get close to that price range.

dieseldiehard · #6 02-03-2015, 11:00 PM

nice looking car! I guess that E300D seller liked his car a lot more than he needed money. Its true though, cdi's are coming down in price but I for one am content with the OM606 in my '99 turbodiesel. Have already changed glow plugs and that was a job I don't want to go through again. And you hold your breath to see if one is stuck in the head!
I bought my E300D turbo for $6000 from a Forum member who had replaced all the suspension parts, Koni shocks, poly bushings (not something I would recommend!) and kept it up really well despite over 200K it was just a fine car and I was in need of replacing the '87 300D my wife wrecked (she was T-boned and walked away with out a scratch, wow glad I don't drive Hondas or a smart car!)

I like the way the 210 handles, It takes corners and parks really well, tight steering and a pleasure to drive (and all that torque on tap in case you need it!)
I suppose the rack and pinion is partially responsible for the way my '99 handles or maybe part of that is thanks to the H&R springs he installed in it, it doesn't seem to sit too low but when parking you really have to watch out for high curbs with the plastic bumpers! don't ask me how I know.

The only other 210 I've been in was a friend's 2000 E320 wagon, its very quiet and a comfy "soft" ride. Thats sorta what I needed in a wagon, to make long distance trips. My 123 wagon tends to beat the passengers on long trips, as I was told by my wife and its noisy and a little cranky with the diesel as I discovered one cold (15 degree) morning in West Texas.

Someday I may be inclined to get rid of the noisy poly bushings in my '99 but heck it is mainly my wife's car anyhow and she doesn't understand or even recognize the squeaks they make.

I guess I need to start a thread on my new gasser !
I finally found a really nice 124 wagon, a '95 in incredibly fine condition.
Now I can search for what spark plugs to use (preferred NGK in my '72 220 gasser) so I am not entirely new to gassers but heck, there were no diesel wagons made in 95 so that is my first rational for buying the E320. And frankly, after only a 200 mile trip in it so far, I have to admit I really like it especially at the lower gas prices we currently have.
The other rational is I wanted a collector quality wagon that needed just a little work and, after over a year of searching I found one!

At the prices some used Mercedes are going for its hard to pass up a good one but for every good one there are maybe 20 or 50 or 100 bad ones!
DDH (do you suppose I should change that moniker now?

biopete · #7 02-04-2015, 02:10 AM

Nice one. I like the color. It's like my 1999 diesel. The white really grew on me. I want to tint the windows but i hate to lose the visibility. What did ya have to give for that?

Skid Row Joe · #8 02-04-2015, 03:12 AM

It looks like a runner! I'll bet it really moves!

RE: '99 E300TD. I turned down every offer short of $12K when I had it listed FS, and I passed on a cash $13K offer the year before. It had 130K on it. 1-owner/garaged since day 1 Texas car. Not many ppl can afford the pricier MB diesels in near perfect condition, but there are buyers for 'em.

DieselPaul · #9 02-04-2015, 09:57 AM

Nice looking car, like the white! I recently also bought a gas W210, I really like it.

Cool story SRJ.

Skid Row Joe · #10 02-04-2015, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldiehard

nice looking car! I guess that E300D seller liked his car a lot more than he needed money. Its true though, cdi's are coming down in price but I for one am content with the OM606 in my '99 turbodiesel. Have already changed glow plugs and that was a job I don't want to go through again. And you hold your breath to see if one is stuck in the head!
I bought my E300D turbo for $6000 from a Forum member who had replaced all the suspension parts, Koni shocks, poly bushings (not something I would recommend!) and kept it up really well despite over 200K it was just a fine car and I was in need of replacing the '87 300D my wife wrecked (she was T-boned and walked away with out a scratch, wow glad I don't drive Hondas or a smart car!)

I like the way the 210 handles, It takes corners and parks really well, tight steering and a pleasure to drive (and all that torque on tap in case you need it!)
I suppose the rack and pinion is partially responsible for the way my '99 handles or maybe part of that is thanks to the H&R springs he installed in it, it doesn't seem to sit too low but when parking you really have to watch out for high curbs with the plastic bumpers! don't ask me how I know.

The only other 210 I've been in was a friend's 2000 E320 wagon, its very quiet and a comfy "soft" ride. Thats sorta what I needed in a wagon, to make long distance trips. My 123 wagon tends to beat the passengers on long trips, as I was told by my wife and its noisy and a little cranky with the diesel as I discovered one cold (15 degree) morning in West Texas.

Someday I may be inclined to get rid of the noisy poly bushings in my '99 but heck it is mainly my wife's car anyhow and she doesn't understand or even recognize the squeaks they make.

I guess I need to start a thread on my new gasser !
I finally found a really nice 124 wagon, a '95 in incredibly fine condition.
Now I can search for what spark plugs to use (preferred NGK in my '72 220 gasser) so I am not entirely new to gassers but heck, there were no diesel wagons made in 95 so that is my first rational for buying the E320. And frankly, after only a 200 mile trip in it so far, I have to admit I really like it especially at the lower gas prices we currently have.
The other rational is I wanted a collector quality wagon that needed just a little work and, after over a year of searching I found one!

At the prices some used Mercedes are going for its hard to pass up a good one but for every good one there are maybe 20 or 50 or 100 bad ones!
DDH (do you suppose I should change that moniker now?

The '99 E300TD was a fine car to own and drive. If it weren't, I wouldn't have owned it for 14-years from new. Reading what you wrote about their handling, ride, etc. is what I experienced too. Brings back great memories and a little remorse for moving on from it to an '06 E320 CDI. Thanks for the detailed post!

2.5Turbo · #11 02-05-2015, 02:18 AM

Yeah, it goes really nicely. I'm used to the low end grunt of the CDI and the V6 oil burner in my Jeep and was expecting a bit more low end. But then I pushed the revs higher...it gets up and goes! It's surprisingly economical on the highway (for a V8); 40 miles on I-5 doing 68 showed 26mpg on the cluster display, speed/odometer verified with GPS.

I was considering an E55 for a while and even almost went and looked at one that probably would have been out of my price range. Then I looked at parts prices and decided an E430 would be just fine. Bagged it for $5700. A little higher than book but the more I dig into it the more I'm finding it was well cared for. Much better value than that E300 I was looking at which had 50% more miles, two or three glaring issues and no confirmation the glow plugs had ever been changed.