I recently re-acquired my 99 E300 that's been in my family for about 12 years now. It has lots of sentimental value. My father bought the car when it was 4 years old with 122k miles. It was sold to my neighbor a few years ago, about five and I reacquired it from him for an excellent price. It's a fully optioned model. It has everything from the Xenon lignting package with headlight washers, very rare #199 Obsidian Black metallic with black leather interior, heated seats and the very first Mercedes Benz navigation system. Only ootions it's missing is the rear window shade and parktronic.

Hands down this is probably my favorite Mercedes I've owned. I got 32.5 mpg recently going up past Wilkes-Barre and back down the turnpike to Philly onthe same tank I left with. Great torque and highway power, and still rides excellent on its almost 20-years-old shocks and springs at 173k miles (very low mileage as well). I've put about 3k miles on it in less than a month.

Here's some pictures of the beast as well. In my opinion, this is the last Mercedes that was well-designed besides the w211. I'll probably buy another one this winter I'm thinking.

really, I am trying to be nice.... this era of cars from MB look like a bunch of fkd up easter eggs mated and laid their eggs on the w124's face..

eating its flesh and causing a large portion of the w124 to morph into this strange foreign creature with no form of its own.

sorry. I will probably never drive one. I will, however, testify to the om606. great engine.



no offense. I really couldn't think of anything nicer to say and didn't want to leave you hanging.

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Hanging? What, your opinion means the world to him so you didn't want to leave him a second too long in anticipation of your breathless critique?

The w210 came out just after I got my first Mercedes, a w116 300sd. The w116 also elicited varying comments from people as the design aged, so I got used to nasty comments when I had mine.

In any case, I could not disagree more on the w210. I was initially taken aback by the front end, but it grew on me almost instantly. I remember scoring a prestige brochure from the local dealer, a 55-page tome. It was THE Mercedes I aspired to own after my w116. It actually took me some time to warm up to the w126.

Well times changed and a w210 wasn't anywhere near my reach when that time came. I may still end up with one now, who knows.

The worst thing I can say about the looks is that I find that, unlike most Mercedes, they look better in lighter colours.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I'm with jt20 on this one. I love the w123, w126 and w116/5 cars growing up. The w124 took a little longer to love, but it's firmly in my heart now. However, the w210 had be sworn off from believing that MB could produce anything worth looking at again. It's 2016 and only a year or two ago I liked the w212 and they slowly had me looking back to the w211 with some fondness.

The w210 nearly killed my appreciation for modern MBs. It is so unbelievably bad looking, especially compared to the glorious final versions of the w124. No joke, the w210 reminds me more of the 96-99 Ford Taurus than any MB.

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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat

I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes!


1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k
1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered
1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold]

To each his own. I love my 98 E300, those Little Orphan Annie eyes notwithstanding. Only downside is susceptibility to rust, in my view.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 157k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 175k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 144k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 70k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

that is a very narcissist view of the world. I am sorry you have to live like that.

I don't like seeing threads fall off the front page with '0' replies, so I responded with whatever I had and tried to keep it humorous. My intentions were good, but you've reminded me of why I don't come here anymore.


Regarding the w210 - I think it was just a weird time for automotive styling in general, perhaps. I recall when these cars were new, I thought they looked elegant.

Now, it really hasnt been that long but, to me, this style has not proved to be as timeless as its predecessors. W123 and W124 still look good to this day.

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I will agree that styling has kept me away from the W210, that and rust issues, but otherwise I feel that these cars are excellent drivers and Mercedes did a fine job. The 606 turbo and overdrive alone are great improvements.

I had a very good friend who owned a '99 from almost new, black over black leather and well optioned also, never let him down and was a joy to drive and ride in.

Congrats on the return of this car, given the history, colors, and options I'd be very tempted to own this one also.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Well, I owned one from new, and let me tell you - they're definitely NOT trouble-free cars to keep in-repair. I found them to be very costly and a continuing headache to keep up with all the malfunctions mine presented as the years and miles clicked by. FWIW - the turbo /FAILING on mine was the first thing to go. That was a big ol bad surprise to encounter.
In retrospect, I don't think they're much of a value as contrasted with what else out there is extremely affordable too. I'd advise a jump to a very well-priced CDI, for anyone considering the W210 diesel.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Regards looks, style?
W210, although smallish, is among the best of the best of all time Daimler-Benz design. The retro/throwback, early 1950s facelift recharged the mid-size Daimler-Benz brand.
Worst? Hands down the Army-tank styled W124. Darkest style ever made in the mid-size category.
W140 - Ugh.
W212 - save your money and buy a used Cadillac DeVille of the same vintage. Drives exactly as a Caddy.
W123 - so homely, they grow on you.
W126 - another best of the best Daimler-Benz ever created.
W116 - another best of the best Daimler-Benz ever created in modern times, 1960s on forward........
Almost ANY model SL- terrific, timeless styling.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

They look better with AMG wheels. Look at the cute little Daimler sticker, still on the windshield. Keeper.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I have always loved the look of the w210's front end, the Quad oval lights and the grill just always looked extravagant. I remember when I was younger looking at them and wanting one.

That being said, I own one, my e290 wagon, and I will probably no own another. They are pretty poorly made. They drive wonderfully, and are decent to work on, but crap for quality. When my wagon finished rusting out in a couple years I plan on taking the entire drive-train and transplanting it into a late model w124 wagon.

Never the less, you look to have a very nice example there!

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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

Don't knock em till you try em folks.

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Allen Kroliczek
Oak Grove Autosport | Oak Grove Autosport
01 G500, 82 300TD, quite a few more.....

I have to agree, W210 looks like a goofy obese bastard son of VW beetle....but I can't deny it's comfortable as hell.

I'll keep my W210 E300TD for a very long time, goofy look or no. Reliability and comfort matters more than looks.

I think Beetles look great, so I'm going to take this as a complement. I'm in the "210 is beautiful" camp, even the non-turbos.

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Charlie

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'66 VW 1300 96K miles
'97 E300D 239K miles
'85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012)

Yeah, I believe that the W210 was the most luxurious model they released, even more so than the W124. A lot more refined, softer ride, more comfortable on longer trips (I have back issues, even at my young age), overall a better car. The rust hasn't been an issue, never driven in salt. It has two small spots, with a flawless undercarriage.

I can't understand the hate for the W210, it's crazy. They're phenomenal cars. I've had a W123, W124, and now a W210 that were all diesels. Hands down my favorite MB. The W123 is just a timeless classic though, and if there were more examples out there that were clean and well-kept, I'd buy another. The W210 is a better car though.

Skid Row Joe, I'm surprised that you have had as many issues with your E300 that you mentioned. Very rare that this car has needed anything besides routine maintenance in 12 years since it's been in the family. From my previous service records from the original owner, nothing was done as well besides routine maintenance.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k