Been lookng at a couple of these lately, thinkng about taking the plunge. Any thoughts on the motors and electronics on these? Any known issues, anything I should be looking out for? Gas mileage? The ones I have been looking at have the 2.6 V6. Any thoughts at all will help.

__________________
1996 E300 D
1992 300D
1990 Ford E-350 7.3 Diesel AKA "the Deep Fryer"

I was VERY excited when I bought my manual transmission C240 back in 2000. It turned out to be the worst automotive disaster I ever purchased. I had so many techy problems with it that I finally traded it for a non MB product.

It MIGHT be that by 2004 they had all these electronic gremlin problems solved.

If you still wish to move forward, you might keep in mind the old addage read on this forum more than once: "there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes."

Good luck,
Larry

Thanks Larry. Isnt really a cheap benz, so that is a good thing I reckon. I must admit I am a little let down at the number of responses.

__________________
1996 E300 D
1992 300D
1990 Ford E-350 7.3 Diesel AKA "the Deep Fryer"

A modern M.B. is not a friendly DIY vehicle.
There is not even a dipstick to check the oil level.
Everything is run by computers and electronics.
So, make sure you have a friendly independent or dealer with reasonable service costs.

I had a 2004 CLK 240. (auto trans) Ran it for 35,000 km's from new, serviced it twice at the stealership. The transmission developed a leak. The stealership wanted an ungodly amount of money to repair the leak. I had the leak patched up at an independent for $ 500.00 and sold the car.

I never reset the trip computer for overall MPG while I had the car. Over 35,000Km.s averaged 10.5 litres per 100 km,s - city and country. Around 30mpg (imperial gallons not U.S.)

They are very good looking cars and safe in an accident, too, but Mercedes Benz quality control and build quality, was at its absolute worst from 2000 - 2007, not to mention they were built to a price point with lots of cost cutting, and this car sits right in the very middle of that era.


Controlled much by failure prone computers and sensors, the chance that it will be a money pit that drives you nuts while emptying your wallet regularly will be VERY high.


I would definately avoid any Mercedes Benz cars from this era.

Period.

__________________
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)

Well DAMN! Not what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear. I cant afford a money pit. I would rather sell my 96 and just drive the 92.

__________________
1996 E300 D
1992 300D
1990 Ford E-350 7.3 Diesel AKA "the Deep Fryer"

I'm sorry to see that others have had similar experiences to mine regarding these cars.

My C240 was a GREAT car when sitting behind the wheel (as long as there was nothing wrong with it that day.) With only a 2.6 engine, it would pin you back in the seat, was quiet, fuel efficient, great handling, smooth, fun, etc.,

I got rid of it just as it was coming out of warranty. The list of problems I experienced is too long to put here. The last straw was a rear window that stayed down on an August day causing my family and myself to drive home about 130 miles with no a/c and 101 degrees outside.

I loved driving that car, but it was a frustrating ownership experience.

BTW, a dipstick could be bought for the car. As I recall it cost about $70 and was sold as a tool. I didn't buy one and it never posed a problem. The mechanicals of the engine are fabulous and it used no oil at all. The computer measurement worked quite nicely.