I am thinking about buying a 1997 E320 the car is listed for $8800 KBB says a much different story. The car has been maintained by MB and is mechanically perfect the body and interior is almost as good. How much do you think I should offer? It has brand new tires, major service complete, everyting works. I would REALLY like a wagon but if the price is right I can handle a sedan until I find a perfect wagon.

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/PricingReport.aspx?ManufacturerId=31&YearId=1997&VehicleClass=UsedCar&VehicleId=8083&PriceType=Trade-In&ModelId=213&Mileage=120000&SelectionHistory=8083%7c14427%7c48872%7c0%7c0%7c&Condition=Good&QuizConditions=

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/PricingReport.aspx?ManufacturerId=31&YearId=1997&VehicleClass=UsedCar&VehicleId=8083&PriceType=Private+Party&ModelId=213&Mileage=120000&SelectionHistory=8083%7c14427%7c48872%7c0%7c0%7c&Condition=Good&QuizConditions=

Is the carfax clean?



Offer him 8k, and see what happens...


What does "almost as good" mean?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Neither of the links "works" for me.

I go to a KBB screen that wants me to enter my zip code and vehicle info.

My experience is that used cars go something close to KBB wholesale, especially a 10 year old car with miles.

Having said that, especially with a Mercedes, it is worth it to pay a small premium to get a very clean example with a verifiable maintenance history. High-ish miles on a Mercedes don't bother me, as long as I have a good maintenance record.

I am a big fan of the W210 chassis as well as the M104 engine.

Remember that even though '97 is the last year of the M104 engine in the W210 chassis, it was still used in the W140 S320 until 1999.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Basiclly KBB lists values at $5700 trade in and $7300 private party, I don't mind paying a premium for the perfect service history, I won't have to do anything but oil changes for at least a year. Having the service records, a female owner who is a doctor and I can just drive it. My dad had a 1999 S320 and it was a nice car but I am wary about the W140's electrical and other issues.

The other option is a Lexus but asking prices for a similar GS are much higher than MB's around here. I'm thinking about taking $7000 cash in my pocket and do the it is what is is routine.

I'd echo Paul's sentiments - I'd worry less about a thousand or so on a car of that age and concentrate more on service history. If the car is very clean, one or maybe two owners, all service records - I would pay a bit more for that peace of mind.

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

That's pretty much my sentiment as well.

how many miles? also does the seller have good maintenance records?

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2010 W212 E350 Sport
1996 W210 E320 (220K miles)

120,000 and it has been serviced at the mb dealer since new.

FMBSH = definately good.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

If memory serves me right the '97 came with the 104 engine and the old 4 speed transmission. Possibly suffering from the same issues as well, wiring harness and leaking head gasket (at 6th cylinder). From '98 it was the V6 and the new 5 speed transmission. Although I loved the 104 engine in the 124, I think the V6 is even smoother and the 5 speed is great for acceleration and lower fuel consumption. Something to consider. There was a facelift in MY2000, lower suspension, tiptronic shifting, and some other goodies I can't recall now.


Alex

Alex,

I had a '97 C230, and the MB literature from that year says that all the models got the new 5-speed electronic adaptive transmission. I mention this because some of those early 5-speeders had issues that even regular fluid changes didn't fix (mine was one of 'em), and Howitzer should examine that MB service history carefully for any reported transmission problems.

If it is a 4-speed in there, though, never mind.
.

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* *
-- Paul W. (The Benzadmiral)
('03 Buick Park Avenue, charcoal/cream)
Formerly:
'97 C230, smoke silver/parchment; '86 420SEL, anthracite/light grey; '84 280CE (W123), dark blue/palomino

thanks all I am going to check it out today, I was also given the heads up on a 740il LWB w/103K miles and again doctor owned and perfect service history, I'm also told that its in show condition it was detailed monthly and nothing but hand washed....asking $8,000, man that's a ton of car for $8,000.

I think you're right on this one. I think the 1997 MY was the first year for the 722.6 5 speed auto in the W210 chassis.

I wouldn't worry about wiring harness issues for the 1997 M104. That was pretty much a 1993-1995 issue, although if I remember correctly, some early production 1996's got leftover harnesses from the previous MY. I believe the head gasket issue was cleared up by 1997, but if it wasn't, there is a remote chance that the car has the original head gasket. Sifting through the service records (or a call to MB USA to ask about warranty repairs) will let you know the answer to that.

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)

Even though you really wanted a wagon, the 210 sedan has a surprising amount of trunk room. With the low opening you can put some pretty large things back there.

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2002 E320 4-Matic
2008 Subaru Outback
2009 Subaru Forester

One thing you might want to keep in mind, and sedan owners please feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but the W210 sedan does not have the availability of fold-down rear seats or even the "ski sack" pass through because the gas tank is mounted between the trunk and rear seats on that model. Something to keep in mind if you ever have to carry things that wont fit in the trunk.

Again, if I'm wrong on this, I'm hoping a sedan owner will step up and correct me.

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)