Friend of mine is looking at one with 130k miles for 3k. He knows I drive MB diesels so asked my opinion of it. I'm ignorant of non-diesel MB's. Can anyone offer up an opinion on this year/model/price? Also, any typical problems he should look for? Car was owned by an older woman who died and left it to a son or grandson in the will. He's selling it.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Seems a bit on the cheap side. Its got an M104 under the hood, which is a pretty solid engine. Like the M103 check for a the head gasket having been replaced if possible (and check to see if its blown with oil/antifreeze mix, smoke, etc). I believe 96 was also the last year of the wiring harness issues, so that would be a good thing to check for as well. The w210 has common spring perch failure so check for rust under the hood.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

96 is has an M104 inline 6. W210 is prone to rust if they salt the roads.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Any chance of a PPI?

Sixto
87 300D

the words "harmonic balancer" come to mind, as well as "factory recall", so it's probably been fixed. but maybe i am confused? (it happens. lately, more frequently.) but, that's a good price. if i had 3K, i'd definitely look at it.

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"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

Not fond of the 722.5 trans... get a 97 or newer with the 722.6....

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All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to stand by and do nothing.

Too many people tip toe through life, never attempting or doing anything great, hoping to make it safely to death... Bob Proctor

'95 S320 LWB
'87 300SDL
'04 E500 wagon 4matic

M104 is going to start leaking from the head gasket if it hasn't been done already.

No wiring harness issues by this year, if I recall correctly.

More rust prone chassis than the W124, but only if it was subjected to the elements alot and not garaged or kept clean.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

In July of this year I just picked up a last model year (a 1995) E 420 with 131k for $2995 and I absolutely love it.

Simple classic lines, absolute last of the cost no object build quality E class cars.



The dohc V8 is said by some to be the best of the Mercedes Benz V8s. 275 hp too!!!

I could have gotten a W210 class for the money but no way!

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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)

Drivetrain is the same as the 124 E320 - M104 engine and 722.4 transmission. A bit long in the tooth these days, but definately bulletproof. No wiring harness issues, but head gasket remains as a possibility. No harmonic balancer issues, that was the early M112 V6 engines.

Definately have a PPI done. The 210 does not seem to be as rustproof as the 124. Otherwise, it is a nice driving and very comfortable car.

If I could find a 124 like JimB's for $3K, I'd buy it too. But most 124s are beaters now. At $3K, buy whatever is in decent shape and was halfway taken care of by the owner.

Good cars, I find the W210's more DIY friendly than some of the older models.

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2006 CL500
2009 C300 4matic
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I thought that all US bound W210s had a 722.6....

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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.

Not the first year.

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2006 CL500
2009 C300 4matic
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

You don't get much for $3000US these days. If it is a well kept car, what the hell?

I bought my E-320 with similar miles on it for around $10,000. This is steal!

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Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.