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  #1  
Old 09-01-2009, 01:32 PM
brookspw's Avatar
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Question Considering purchase of '01 E320. What are my concerns?

This car is black, super clean, new tires, and has 100k on it -- all dealer service records.

What problems are typically associated with this model? Seems like most have some big issue (like by C280 with the head gasket). Anyway, what do I need to ask, determine, or find out?

Searched and found a few issues with the front end and electrical but that was all.

This is still a W210, right?

Thanks

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1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
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2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
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1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles
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  #2  
Old 09-01-2009, 01:46 PM
Redefining normal daily
 
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Is a W210, yes.

Front spring perch rust through, harmonic balancer disintegration, and chronic electrical issues (dying dash LED segments, fried window motors, cranky seat motors, multiple climate control fan board failures, intermittent issues with everything on the CAN bus (navigation, CD, phone, etc) were the major issues I had to deal with on my ex-wife's 2001 E320 wagon.

Ask for proof that the harmonic balancer has been replaced. Search a bit more on 'W210 spring perch' to find the (far more expert than I) consensus on how to check/inspect for that issue. Try every knob, switch, and button - several times if possible.
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1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife
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  #3  
Old 09-01-2009, 02:59 PM
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Overall it's a solid car. Spring perches mostly fail on diesel and V8 models. They are a possibility on a V6 car, but less likely. Dashboard display segments go out. It's annoying and expensive to fix, but not a real problem. Most common issue is failed window regulators; they break when rolling the window down.

The M112 V6 seems tough on plug wires, a lumpy idle likely means it's due. Not all these cars have had the transmission serviced. Poor shift quality means it is due.

I've driven a 2001 wagon for 5 years now. Have never had a bad window motor, seat motor, or electrical problem.
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  #4  
Old 09-01-2009, 03:15 PM
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Check records to see if the 722.6 has been serviced; hopefully it has been done at least once by now. If not, and if you end up buying it, change the fluid and filter first thing. You might have to flush as I believe the TC drain plug was eliminated.

I don't know about the stereo on the '01, but on my '97 the volume knob is extremely flaky. But that's a minor annoyance.

All in all, the W210 is a great chassis, relatively trouble free if maintained properly.
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  #5  
Old 09-01-2009, 03:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ramonajim View Post
Is a W210, yes.

Front spring perch rust through, harmonic balancer disintegration, and chronic electrical issues (dying dash LED segments, fried window motors, cranky seat motors, multiple climate control fan board failures, intermittent issues with everything on the CAN bus (navigation, CD, phone, etc) were the major issues I had to deal with on my ex-wife's 2001 E320 wagon.

Ask for proof that the harmonic balancer has been replaced. Search a bit more on 'W210 spring perch' to find the (far more expert than I) consensus on how to check/inspect for that issue. Try every knob, switch, and button - several times if possible.
Thanks, I ready every single thread that contained 210/320 and perch in it. I did not see one single post with cars that were 2000-2002, just earlier -- mostly 96 and 97. Now, you noted the problem in your 2001 model, of course. I guess it is just much less likely in the later models.

Someone tell me more about the harmonic balancer issue.
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1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles
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  #6  
Old 09-01-2009, 05:11 PM
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I would look carefully for signs of rust problems. There should have been a special inspection/rust proofing service done under warranty for the doors. My 2001 E55 has rust bubbles that formed on the back of the trunk lid by the license plate area in the last year. I also had problems with rust on the back panels below the tail lights that started over 3 years ago. This might have been caused by the AMG bumper rubbing on the metal so I'm not sure if it applies to the E320.
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  #7  
Old 09-02-2009, 12:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brookspw View Post
Thanks, I ready every single thread that contained 210/320 and perch in it. I did not see one single post with cars that were 2000-2002, just earlier -- mostly 96 and 97. Now, you noted the problem in your 2001 model, of course. I guess it is just much less likely in the later models.

Someone tell me more about the harmonic balancer issue.
My mothers 01 E320 had both spring perches fail at 80K. Check for rust. Ive seen original toyota corollas with better bodies in NY than hers. Completed rusted out. Holes in the fenders rusted out. Embarrassing.

Front seats make noises when accel/decel, dash LED segments unreadable, heated seats half work, rear window regulator fail, engine burns alot of oil. Other than that, great car. Oh, and it just turned 100K, always dealer serviced and not abused.

Best of luck.
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  #8  
Old 09-02-2009, 11:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amg280 View Post
My mothers 01 E320 had both spring perches fail at 80K. Check for rust. Ive seen original toyota corollas with better bodies in NY than hers. Completed rusted out. Holes in the fenders rusted out. Embarrassing.
Spring perches are a concern on rust belt cars. The original poster is far enough south I don't expect this is a problem. Be sure to check the history of the car in question to be certain it didn't spend any time in salt country.

This poster brings up another possible issue. The M112/M113 sometimes burn oil; a re-ring is required to fix it. Check the maintenance records to be sure the car was serviced at least as often as FSS required, and that synthetic oil was used every time. If you can't verify it was properly serviced; I'd suggest passing on it.
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  #9  
Old 09-02-2009, 11:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ramonajim View Post
Ask for proof that the harmonic balancer has been replaced. Search a bit more on 'W210 spring perch' to find the (far more expert than I) consensus on how to check/inspect for that issue. Try every knob, switch, and button - several times if possible.
The harmonic balancer recall only affect '98-mid year 2000 cars. The later half of 2000 and 2001-2002 cars didn't have bad harmonic balancers.

My instrument cluster had a few pixels go out affecting the time read-out, but there is a guy here in the valley who fixes them. Comes out in a van and charged something link $300, IIRC.

I can't believe this one gentleman in Southern California is the only guy in the whole entire United States that offers this service, so I'd ask around at your local Mercedes independent garages for a referral should you have a bad instrument cluster.

My neighbor is a tech at Penske Mercedes in So. Cal., and he swears that W210 E320's and E430's are the most reliable, trouble-free, and long lasting cars Mercedes ever built.
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  #10  
Old 09-02-2009, 01:13 PM
Redefining normal daily
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by suginami View Post
The harmonic balancer recall only affect '98-mid year 2000 cars. The later half of 2000 and 2001-2002 cars didn't have bad harmonic balancers.
You are correct, the recall only covered the times you indicate - unfortunately the bad HB's weren't informed of the cut off date.

One of my posts from this 443 post-long thread on failed HB's: my post

Failed part in ex-wife's 2001 E320 wagon, showing the "good" part number and an obvious gap between the metal and the rubber:



Dealer agreed it was a failed part. Had to fight like hell to get any relief on the repair cost (out of warranty based on miles).
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1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife
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  #11  
Old 09-02-2009, 02:07 PM
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Rust, rust and more rust ...very inappropriate on a car of this caliber.
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  #12  
Old 09-02-2009, 05:10 PM
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My 94 C280 has the same miles as this E320...think I'm just going to keep it instead of "upgrading". Thanks for the help.

__________________
1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles
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