97 E320 Should I, and how much???
 

There are an endless number of threads about whether to buy this car or that one. My need now is to figure out how much a particular 97 E320 is worth.

Body is perfect, no rust, no dings, and my desired color combo, black with palomino interior. It has a small crack in the rear bumper. Also, a broken plastic piece in the front lower bumper. The passenger rear window needs a regulator. The driver window is sluggish. Interior has a few little things wrong, but the seats are in good condition.

I went to the dealership and while test driving it, when I stepped down on it to move onto the freeway, it hesitated, really a hiccup, then the check engine light came on, and just like that there was a fairly obvious miss coming from under the hood. One or two cylinders weren't firing, at least as far as I could tell. I told the salesman that the test drive is over, and back we went.

It has 111k on the clock.

If we assume that the engine misfiring is something easy to fix, what should I offer?

That car has the inline 6 engine (I'm pretty sure, could be wrong though). It also has the first year of the 5 speed transmission. I've read there are problems, that can be fixed, with the 5 speed mating up to the inline 6. The engine is strong, very strong if maintaned properly. Don't know much about the 5 speed trans. My car ('94 wagon, M104) was skipping like that a few months ago and I changed the plugs which had ~ 0.047 gap instead of the 0.032 due to electrode wearing down. That could cause the stumbling. Have the transmission checked out before you buy. Can't suggest a price though.

This dealer is asking $15,999. I know that's too much. I priced a very nice 99, same E320, excellent cond., for $15,500 recently at another dealer. But, I sort of wanted the inline 6, so the 97 was more my choice.

They are nuts, offer them $10k tops as is. Their is a silver 1997 E320 sitting down the street from me that is mint. A local import dealer is selling it, mileage is unkown but probably about 100k. Their are no cosmetic flaws inside or outside and I am picky if their is something wrong I will notice it. He is asking $12,100 and would probably let it go for $11,500.

In my area you can get decent W210's for $10k-$13k.

Cherry examples are $16k+.

Or tell the dealer to fix the engine problem, preform a major service, fix all cosmetic flaws and throw in new Mich tires and brakes. Then you will pay them $15k. For $15,999 tell them you also want a good waranty on top of all that.

Thanks for the advice. But, I am passing on this one. Too many questions and a smarmy dealer. I need a second car, a gasser, and I really like the looks of an S class, 1994 or 1995.

Do the research and make sure you know what you are buying with one of those.