Is 1997 E320 a good car to buy?

[slikkemeg]

Hello All,

I would to get the your advice regarding 1997 E320, with 110k miles. Is the 1997 E320 a good car?This car for my wife, and I'm looking for something reliable. I already have 2 300E (1988, 1989) and I love them, but the wife wants a new car. Based on ready this forum, I do go after MY1995.

Thanks alot for taking the time to respond.

[Jim B.]

From what I've read here, there is a world of difference between the W124 (which you drive) and the W210 which you are contemplating, the W210 is the first of the E class on a downward slide of build quality that began plaguing Mercedes in the late/mid nineties.

Read the "Spring Perch Failure" thread on tech forum for starters.

These cars are very nice to drive when all is right with them, and they are very roomy too, but the quality just isn't there like it was in the earlier cars.

If you must have one, check it carefully for rust, books and records, and a PPI by a good Mercedes mechanic is essential.

[gmercoleza]

HVAC system on the W210 is also more complex than the simpler W124. For that matter, there are much more electronics on the W210, making it a more complex vehicle which sometimes requires professional equipment in order to perform repairs. In some respects it is less DIY-friendly.

[nhdoc]

You can consider it if you are a fairly competent DIY'er or if you buy it with a warranty to cover it for the period you plan to own it...short of that you will probably spend over $1000 per year keeping it in order because these are not cheap cars to repair and they are not known to be overly reliable.

[Will_w202]

I think the 97 is a nice buy. It's the last year they had the inline-6, which was arguably the best modern motor MB made.

A 124 is a better-built car with a better track record overall, but let's face it - the newest one is 13 years old now, and you're going to spend $1000 a year on either a 124 or a 210 now.

If you have the car checked by a GOOD indie shop or the dealer, and you can verify VMI/service history, including (very important) trans fluid changes at least every 60k, I'd go for it - for the right price of course

And I just realized RLG was responding at the same time - and took the words out of my.......fingers

[amg280]

Having owned both, I would say run away from the 210. Have a 2001 E320 in the fam, and is the biggest pile of garbage I have ever seen MB make. Not to mention it is rusting out completely, at the young age of 45K. Get a late model V8 124 and never look back. Just my 2 cents.

[Parrot of Doom]

Bear in mind the two vehicles share many of the same components, but the general feeling is that while the W210 is technically a superior vehicle, it may not be quite so well put together as the W124.

[RLGDiesel]

I have owned several 124 and 210 cars (88 300E, 94 E320 and 97 E420 previously, 95 E320, 98 E300, 99 E320 wagon, 01 E320 currently), and I feel that all Mercedes require expensive maintenance and repairs. Although the 124's panel fitment and interior components are superior to the 210, each car will require some TLC. For starters, I have had the wiring harness, evaporator, and smog pump (all over $1000 repairs) on my 94 and 95 E320s. On the other hand, my 01 needed catalytic converters replaced at 10,000 miles, my 99 needed complete HVAC compressor replacement, and my 97 needed SRS module repairs; all cars needed the MAF replaced.

Just like any other sophisticated automobile, Mercedes are loaded with technological systems that are bound to malfunction. If you don't mind putting up with these annoyances or paying extra for a late model 210 under Starmark, the ride quality, handling, and powertrain are unsurpassed. Despite comments that the 124 was the last "overengineered Benz," I am astounded at the layout of the 210, especially the fact that my back window refuses to get wet in the heaviest of downpours on the highways...that's aerodynamics.

Just my $0.02...the 210 are, in my opinion, some of the most enjoyable Benzes to drive. Welcome to the forum!

[tower]

I doubt that it's hot dipped. Besides leaving drip marks, heating the metal to 800 degrees fahrenheit would distort the metal. Likely metalized or electoplated zinc (metalizes: hit it with zinc bb's, electroplated: one big electrolysis process at the sheet factory.

[suginami]

Originally Posted by tower

I doubt that it's hot dipped. Besides leaving drip marks, heating the metal to 800 degrees fahrenheit would distort the metal. Likely metalized or electoplated zinc (metalizes: hit it with zinc bb's, electroplated: one big electrolysis process at the sheet factory.

On W124 chassis cars, for corrosion protection Mercedes-Benz uses zinc plating (galvanization) to protect many of the body panels. The engine hood, doors, sunroof, trunk lid and fuel filler flap are all galvanized. If the paint is chipped down through the primer and into the galvanized layer, the zinc will electrically migrate across the bare metal and cover it.

All of the welded seams on the car are treated with a special sealing compound that can be reabsorbed into weld material in case of rework.

Primer - The first layer of primer that goes over the zinc coating is applied electrostatically with a complete dip of the entire chassis. The chassis is given a negative charge and the primer is given a positive charge so that primer is electrically bonded to the chassis. After the primary dip there is extensive PVC (polyvinyl chloride plastic) seam sealing all over the chassis.

[Ed Richardson]

These are interesting responses. They beg the question, what are the 210's coated with? My thoughts are that the bodies, at least, are still dipped with some kind of sealant. It would be hard to believe that MB reverted to the old ways of just exterior paint. Any comments?
Ed

[suginami]

I have no idea what kind of rust proofing / sealing 210's have, but I find it hard to believe they are without any kind of protection.

There is a shopforum regular who posts here (can't remember his name) who is the Shop Forman at a Mercedes dealer in New Jersey. He has posted that the early 210 models were mistakenly not properly sealed in the under coating. I presume the later 210's were, but they all seem to be rusting worse than the 124's did in their time.

There was also a recall that was performed on my 2000 E430 where they applied some silicone caulking around the door frames. I suppose this is a fix to prevent the kind of rusting that affected cars like the door rust on Mark Cummins' E320 wagon.

All I can say is that my E430 was purchased new in Houston and lived there until I bought it in 2005 is completely rust free.

[JasonOne]

Is the 1995 line for the E-class the same for the S and C class cars? I have been looking at the R129 with the M104 motor from the early 1990s and also the S350 sedan with the 603 Turbo Diesel. I would think that the S cars were properly galvanized and primered until 1995 or even longer.

I guess my dream cars at the moment would be; 1990-3 300SL, 1994-5 SL320, 1992-3 300SD Turbo Diesel or 1994-5 S350 Turbo Diesel, 1992 500 SEL, 1991 560 SEL, 1991-2 500 SL. All in Black, Silver or Dark Blue (maybe Red for the SL).

These all seem like they would be just before or right around the 1995 E-class Cut-off line.

regards,
Jason

[firstbenz]

I have a 1997 with the same amount of miles. Had it for a few months and it was fine. Now I have an oil leak which is COMMON FOR THAT YEAR! Independent said 2500 later and I will have a new head gasket to cure the oil leak which is common on the front of the straight six in 1997. Better motor in 1998.

I also am having electrical issues, check my post today my wife parked in the garage, took the key out and the car kept running, no big deal I guess I will disconnect the battery so we do not die from the exhaust., nope not with this POS kept running!!! I ended up turning the ignition to activate the starter which never sounds good on a running motor and it stopped. It is sitting in the garage waiting for me to wrench on it again or take it to the independent for a few days.

Great car when it works right, If I did it OVER I would of took the cash I paid for this older Benz and happily leased one over three years and enjoyed the driving not the headaches now. I just want to go from point A to B in a nice car. I have learned my lesson only lease these cars. Hope you take my advice,

Floyd

[slikkemeg]

Originally Posted by firstbenz

I have a 1997 with the same amount of miles. Had it for a few months and it was fine. Now I have an oil leak which is COMMON FOR THAT YEAR! Independent said 2500 later and I will have a new head gasket to cure the oil leak which is common on the front of the straight six in 1997. Better motor in 1998.

I also am having electrical issues, check my post today my wife parked in the garage, took the key out and the car kept running, no big deal I guess I will disconnect the battery so we do not die from the exhaust., nope not with this POS kept running!!! I ended up turning the ignition to activate the starter which never sounds good on a running motor and it stopped. It is sitting in the garage waiting for me to wrench on it again or take it to the independent for a few days.

Great car when it works right, If I did it OVER I would of took the cash I paid for this older Benz and happily leased one over three years and enjoyed the driving not the headaches now. I just want to go from point A to B in a nice car. I have learned my lesson only lease these cars. Hope you take my advice,

Floyd

If I ever decide to ride new Benz, it will be leased one for sure...

Thanks Floyd for your advice.