I am considering buying a 1999 300 Diesel with 70K miles. The last Diesel I had was an 1984 190D. It was a great car. We bought a 1992 300TE wagon as a repalcement. So far after 150K miles it has been a disappointment withnthe transmission losing reverse gear.

I appreciate any feedback on the 1995-99 diesels as to which is the most reliable and if I will have any problems with registering one in California.

Also any leads of one for sale is appreciated.

Thanks

We've already been around this tree, many times. Please click the "search" button and search for "E300" in the Diesel Discussion forum. Then settle in for some good reading.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

As much as I *like* these cars...


Transmission problems seem much more common with the post 96' cars. My friend's car is a 99' and just got a new factory transmission under starmark warrentee.


Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

Thanks all for the kind and detailed replies. Fortunately or unfortunately I have decided to abandon the ranks of Mercedes ownership. I have decided to buy a Lexus G300. I have to say Mercedes has not treated me well recently and does not desrve my loyalty or business.

Anyone interested is a 92 300TE Wagon with 150K and a flaky reverse gear and in otherwise excellant shape.

Dan


Transmission problems seem much more common with the post 96' cars. My friend's car is a 99' and just got a new factory transmission under starmark warrentee.


Michael [/B][/QUOTE]

It's sad to see that more and more of Mercedes coustomers are doing the same. And it's all in the name of profits. If they build cars like our '87 and before D's, nobody would buy a new Mercedes again because it would last them 20+ years! By building them cheaper, not only do they get more profits by lowering production costs, the cars fail 15 years sooner and drive them to pay the stealership to fix it or buy a new (And likely more $$$) for an even lower quality model.

Dbrindle, I'm sorry to hear your loss. It's a loss to us all too. I know you will enjoy your Lexus.

I do not thinik it has to do with profits so much as the Hindenberg effect. The Germans tend to design up to a point and then allow for failure. The Japanese tend to go beyond that point and design for reliability. BMW, Audi and Porsehe suffer from the same type of edge failure. The German way will produce a car which will go many mile more, but due to high component costs will quickly empty your wallet. In Europe smaller parts rather than sub systems are sold so real repairs can be done.

When the bearing on my smog pump went out I had to buy a $300 pulley. The bearing which had a part number and was a serviceable part had a Mercedes patent and was unavalibe. Thus a $30 repair became a $300 repair.

People will always buy new cars. It is a sytle and ego thing. However, often the new car buyer comes form the used car ranks. I am buying a Lexus because my Toyota truck has been so reliable and when it breaks cheap to repair. I bought a new Toyota truck becuase there were no late model used ones available at the time. No one want to let go of one, thus there is little used car market.

I used to be an Oldsmobile owner. GM screwed up the same way and lost a whole segment of the market.

Dan

I bought my 1999 E300 new in January 99 and now have 110k trouble-free miles. The only complaint I have is poor AM radio reception (the AM radio in my Ford pick-up is better) but FM and CD is on 90+ % of the time.
My first Benz was a 1991 2.5 turbodiesel so I have a good basis of comparison. If you haven't driven a 98 or 99 W210 you are missing an experience. If you haven't pulled the trigger yet on that Lexus give that E300 turbo a try. Wouldn't hurt to try it and then decide.
Enjoy,
Ken