Present car is a 1989 260E with only 445,000km on the clock. I bought this car back in 1991 with 31,000km. on it. This car has been the most trouble-free car you can imagine. I have maintained this car by the book (and better), there is nothing wrong with the car, everything works as it should, but I ready for something else.
My neighbour has a 1996 320E for sale. He bought it new and as always been maintained at the same dealer I bought mine. The car has 94,000Km. and has all maintenance records. Price: $14,500.
What are the weak points on a W210?
What d you think.
JackD

The dual overhead cam 104 engine headgasket is an issue. Find out if it has been replaced yet.

__________________
Jim

Is this the model with the infamous harness problem ?
Also, are you talking CDN dollars, or US dollars ?

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.

Neither the wiring harness nor the head gasket have been replaced. On close inspection, there is no leak anywhere. I know this could pop-out sooner or later.
I'm talking $$U.S.
JackD

I think a good choice. Don't think the 96 had the wiring harness problem. 96 was the last year of the 4 speed automatic - which I believe is a plus - the five speed starting in 97 seems to have more problems. Good choice but the price seems kinda high - only because the market is soooo bad.

Jack:

A local independent garageman I use periodically told me the 104 head gasket issue didn't get solved 'til 1997. I do not know if this is a true statement. Hopefully one of the pro techs here will advise on this.

Keep your 260.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

That sounds like a good price, I wouldn't worry about the headgasket if it blows it blows.

The price seems about right their was a 1997 E320 in my local paper with 82k miles on it. They were asking $13,500 US.

The used car market in the US has went to hell! I am loving it! I am so tempted right know their are so many clean E420/430's and CLK's coming on the market! You can snag clean low mileage CLK's for mid teens!

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Since it is easily a $2500 repair - double if you have to rebuild the head (well, not quite - you probably can assume the wiring harness is OK - in my case they all went at once).

__________________
Chip Johnson

Jack,

I would suggest that at 445,000km, you have had a good run from your 260E. Yes, there is much debate as to whether the W210 is as good or better than the W124 (read the many threads on this and other forums). The M103 in your present car has a great reputation (although, still has some known problems). Perhaps the reputation of the M104 is not as good but it does offer better performance than the 103, especially against your 2.6. I believe the wiring harness issue was sorted by the time the W210 was released but there is still the head gasket issue and the various fuel injection components that seem to give trouble on the HFM engines.

My parents have both a W124 and a W210. Their 124 is a '93 E320 coupe (which has the same engine as you are considering) which they purchased used a few years back. Their 210 is a '96 E230 (with the reliable 2.3 M111 four cylinder) which they purchased new. They have only travelled about 135,000 and 115,000km respectively. The 124 has needed little apart from the dreaded engine wiring harness and a new water pump although it has the tell-tale signs of a head gasket oil leak. The 210 has needed little apart from a water pump and a differential pinion seal (while under warranty). Whilst my father likes the performance of the E320 (especially since his has the 5-speed auto) he prefers the ride comfort and handling of the E230. Whilst I am a real fan of the 124 and I certainly would not trade our '90 300TE for a W210 wagon, I am also prepared to admit the W210 does offer a better ride and handling than the W124. I do feel it lacks some of the build quality of the 124 though.

In your instance, it probably comes down to the fact you are ready for a change. If you were considering a W124 E320 as a replacement for your 260E I would perhaps suggest not to bother (on the other hand if you were looking at a mint condition, low kilometre '90 to '92 300E...). The move to the W210 E320 may be worthwhile though. You are fortunate in that you have known the car you are considering purchasing since new which should inspire confidence. Just be aware that the HFM M104 is not as simple to work on as the M103.

Greg

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.

Thanks OZ.
As I said earlier, my W124 has been bullet proof. Like many others, I had a oil burning problem at approx 200,000Km which was cured by replacing the valve guides/seals. At 445,000km, it only burns a quart/2,500Km. Nothing else major had to be done on the car. (no transmission, differential, fuel injection, A/C (still have the original freon). Only normal maintenance with oil change every 7,000Km with 15W40 dino. oil.
I had the W210 all day today for an extended road test. I drove about 400Km. My impressions:
Much more power than my 260E (that's easy)
More sqeaks and rattles than my much older 124
Quieter mechanicals.
Not as sure footed (solid feeling) on the road at high speed than my 124.
I am asking myself if I should not put $5-$6,000. on my old 124 (rear crank oil leak, engine and transmission supports, front engine cover/valve cover gaskets, 2 rear shocks, paint job) and keep it for another 5 years.
jackD

Head gasket should not be that much - maybe half that or less.

Engine wiring harness in not an issue for models after 95.

M104 head gasket repair has been reported to be $1200 to $2000, probably depending on where it was done (dealer or indy) and whether the head needed reconditioning.

Driving a car past 445,000 km is a statement that you are able to handle just about any mechanical situation that comes along. I can understand that you're ready for a change. But be careful what you wish for. The newer cars are considerably more complicated.

__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

The 1996 W210 has different rack and pinion tuning than other W210's. It's lighter and floaty compared to the W124 and was not liked. The 1997 and later W210's were retuned for a more "MB" feel, though never had the heavy feel the old boxes gave.

The M104's head gasket problem was never "solved" but it seems to be minimized once the original gasket is replaced. That said, I have known some to go through a few gaskets.

Our own 1998 W210 was nice to drive and I found the suspension superior to the W124/W201, but our car also had the "better" rack and pinion. The thing that PO'ed me was the interior materials. No better than our C230, and in some instances, maybe not as nice. Huh? The interior style was great (I like 'em "german") but the actual plastics could be better.

The 1996 has the four speed autobox which is reliable. I'd either look for a 96 or a 99- to skip the 97-98 722.6 unless the tranny had been updated.

The exterior style of the W210 has really grown on me, and I have come to really like the four-eye front end. The rear is a little bland, but at least it hasn't grown old.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Jack D. said: I am asking myself if I should not put $5-$6,000. on my old 124 (rear crank oil leak, engine and transmission supports, front engine cover/valve cover gaskets, 2 rear shocks, paint job) and keep it for another 5 years.
_________________________________________________________________
If you upgrade to a newer model you probably won't get a car that will be as realiable as the one you now drive. And you will probably pay more than $5K to upgrade. I would stick with the car you now have and spend the money on the improvements you listed.

__________________
1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

The big question would be if you would be able to live with the different feel of the car. You've already stated that you're ready for a change. Even if you do put money into getting the 124 in top shape again, my bet is that you'd still want something different, and probably before your 5-year time frame.