I've posted many topics on here throughout the years with things going wrong with my E320. The last thing I posted about - A/C Pump Squealing - pushed me to the point of no return. Thing has nickel and dimed me to the point of life support (not quite to death). So, I'm down-grading somewhat to a 2003 Saturn Ion 3.

Just wondering if it would be worth it to restore the E320? Love the car - when it works - and I'm not sure if I'm ready to part ways with her yet. If it would be worth restoring, should I restore to original specs or customize it (different color, upgraded suspension, bigger wheels, etc.)?

It depends on how good the body condition is and how is the rest, I recall your posts being headlamp switch and then tensioner assembly..

My E300D was a pretty dud situation and some bubba engineering was also seen (mostly electrical though) when bought. I slowly sorted it out and after it crashed and I had it rebuilt with a new grafting at the rear end, I rebuilt the rear suspension too.

I had the car up on stands for a month (working three days a week on it) and it now is the best car I have ever owned and driven. It took me quite some time and money to get it in the condition I want. It now is a "twist n run car" I can just walk over, get in it and drive to NY if I want.

Its a great deal better than any other japanese and american car I have had.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Body needs minor corrosion control, a few dents need to be "un-dented." The majority of the restoration needs are odds and ends (Driver's side door lock and seat, electrical work, and exterior engine work). I'm actually pretty excited about doing it and by the time it's complete, I should be able to consider myself an expert.

I did see an early 90's E-class sell on Barrett Jackson for a decent chunk of change last week. That's what got me thinking about it.

Your list of things the car needs is extremely small compared to what I have done to some of my cars... I'd say fix it up.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I've never owned a Saturn, and am I correct GM doesn't make them anymore? That would make me think parts would be hard to come by and usually scarcity leads to higher prices. At the same time I understand your pain about keeping up with the needs of a 19 year old Benz.

Your implication is that an Ion 3 will cost less to maintain than an MB. Tell us about the upkeep/maintenance, reliability of an 11 year old car that's no longer manufactured versus a 19 year old MB. Im just interested in your decision making process. Thanks.

These cars will bankrupt you if you don't do your own work. Plain and simple. If you want to keep up on issues, that is. These cars do have a knack for running in various states of disrepair. The thing I like about Mercedes, is that they usually don't break catastrophically. You can usually limp along with most problems until you can afford to fix.

IYAAYAS, unless you have a body shop cut out the rusted areas and weld in new metal the rust will continue to grow, and you will be chasing it forever. For that reason I would be reluctant to start restoring your 1995 E320 if you plan to do it inexpensively. Recommend buying another 1995 E320 in pristine condition, instead of throwing good money after bad on your current car. Likely a less expensive approach in the long run.

I own two 1995 E320's and enjoy the ride and build quality ... plan to keep both as long as possible, without breaking the bank doing so as I am a DIY'er. There comes a point that it doesn't make financial sense to keep a car, especially one with rust issues.

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Fred Hoelzle

X2.

The value of late W124s doesn't support anything but the nicest of cars. I've broken up many for parts that just were not economical to fix when you look at the retail numbers on the W124s. A significant factor for me is that I do all my own work. I look at it as therapy, cheaper than a psychiatrist. If your toolbox is a cell phone and a credit card, running a 20 year old car isn't the best idea.....

Unless there is some very significant emotional reason to keep a particular car, You will be better off replacing yours with a very nice example. Lots of these cars were made, and there are still many well kept examples coming up for sale. Find one without rust, with records and an obvious caring owner, and you'll have a car that can last for literally years.

The trick is to recognize when a good one comes up. That can take time, experience, ability, and most importantly, luck. Plan to look at quite a few to learn how to gage a nice one. The right car will speak to you.

The best of the W124s are the last two years, 94 and 95. I've owned many W124s and the two we now have are keepers. My wife has no interest in replacing her wagon, and I don't expect to ever sell my cabriolet. Even though they are twenty years old, they feel new to me, and more importantly, run as reliably as most newer cars. My CDI is a much more advanced car, but it's also exponentially more complex. With the W124, over 20 years of ownership has me able to speak W124 fluently.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

I'm a DIY'er and by no means am I planning on this being a "quick-flip resto." I've got some body work experience and anything that I don't know how to do, I have "a guy" for. Pretty much the E320 will be something to fill up the garage, piss off the wife, and provide me with "wrench therapy."

As for the Saturn... the engine was just rebuilt and the ignition switch was just replaced as well. Thing has been sitting for a little over a year so may as well drive it and gain a project.

Keep the E320, have a priority list of what needs/wants to be done. It doesn't have to be finished overnight. The family fleet consists of W124 due to easy to work on, all parts available through a variety of channels (you can bottom feed with URO or use MB) and most importantly, fun to drive. I sold my 87 to a fellow lister who resurfaced out of the blue, no brainer to replace it with another. A 94 E320 with 102K on it, factory serviced up until a year ago, at a low price. Depreciation is a wonderful thing. New struts and an alignment and its a new car.

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Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

Not once did I "imply" that parts would be cheaper for the Saturn rather then the Benz... However, parts for Saturn and Pontiac(also no longer a company) are actually pretty easy to find and there hasn't been a mark-up on them. The wife has a 06' Vue Redline and the few replacement parts we need for that have been pretty cheap.

From my post just before this one, I said that we already had the Ion and it was sitting for a little over a year. May as well drive it. Plus it's a 5-speed so there will most likely be some fun involved as well.

I hear you there! I bought the car about 3.5 years ago from an old guy who was upgrading to a brand new E-class (lucky!). Come to find out, I'm the 3rd owner and it was originally purchased in Honolulu, Hawaii .... Now it lives in Wisconsin. Pretty neat backstory. This car has been, by far, my most favorite out of the previous 5 that I've owned.