So considering the option of a new E320 I see that from 04 on the W211 is from $4500 to $10K and up but a really nice W210 from 99, 2000 and 2003 can be had well under $3,500 to even $2,500.

They're harder to find in good condition due to the age, but don't have the ABS system issues and perhaps just about as nice a car. Have a larger cargo area..virtually equal MPG.

And here is what I really like about the W210, they retain the brilliant mono-wiper.

So comments? any real reason to prefer the later model W211 over the 210?

And for the money I suspect a much nicer car could be found in the earlier Benz than in the later one..Aficionado maintained versus a used up family car...

I know there are very qualified experts lurking here ready to comment!

You know who you are, and thanks in advance. Im listening.

Test drive both before you decide. The W211 is a much more modern car in terms of amenities and handling but the interior is smaller and some repairs will be more expensive. Diagnostics on the W211 are much easier and cheaper to DIY than the W210 so thats a big plus for me. I think its down to personal preference and what you can find in your local market. I have a W210 diesel and I was shopping for a W211 wagon before I ended up buying a W203 wagon. I wouldn't even consider buying a W203 until I drove one.

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Hmmmmmmm..................perhaps you mean this the other way around???

No. For the W210 you need a star diagnositc tool or one of several knock offs which involves an ancient lap top, many cables and a steep learning curve. If you're into that kind of thing, great! The can bus architecture on the W210 went through several versions depending on the year and engine. The W211 is standardized along with every other MB from around 2000+. A $120 tool that plugs into the OBD2 port and fits in the glovebox will do everything except coding. Thats a big plus in my book.

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I don't know tjts1. I've never really had any issues diagnosing the 210. I've got a 98 210 diesel and a gasser 05 E class wagon. For daily driving I'll take the 210 all day long but the 05 sure is nice on a long trip.

The 210 is easier on tires in my opinion. The most reliable one in the yard is the 95 E300.

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Jim

What tool would you use to diagnose a bad ABS sensor on the 210?

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Having put plenty on miles on both chassis, I'll say there's not a huge difference in ride quality, comfort, interior, etc. between the two. That said, the w211 being newer, it'll be easier to find one in nice shape where the interior isn't trashed. There are lots of beat up abused w210s out there unfortunately.

In terms of the electronic features, the early w210's don't have much, but the later w210's do. I'm talking about things like the rain sensing wipers, the tilting right side mirror, automatic starter, hill-hold, ASR-disable switch, etc. I think all w210's had the Homelink garage door opener as standard, as do the w211's.

The w210 is easier to work on and perform maintenance and repairs. The w210 will require a diagnostic tool with proper 38 pin MB interface. Cheapest one I know of that supports ALL the w210's computers and works really well is the Autel MD802 + Autel Benz-38 adapter, total of around $300. The w211 can do everything via the OBD2 port.

The w210s are old enough now that you have to think about replacing all the rubber suspension bits like control arm bushings, rear carrier bushings, shock absorbers, etc. Where I think most used w211's will still feel decent as-is for a few years.

All used cars will come with some amount of "deferred maintenance" that the new owner will be saddled with. Depends more on the age, mileage, and condition of the vehicle, than on which body generation it is.

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1998 E300 turbodiesel

America's Rights and Freedoms Are Not The Enemy!

I never owned a 211, but I did own a 210 wagon from new. My motto is "friends don't let friends buy 210's". I understand that there are lots of 210 fans, but I have no explanation for it. Maybe they live in the sunbelt where there's no rust, or maybe their cars are garaged in bad weather. Maybe their cars went down a different line. Maybe white cars were more problem prone. I don't know. There are cars I've liked less, but I've never liked a Mercedes less.

On the issue of mono-wipers. The reason the 210 was the last to have them is that the 210 wiper was so heavy that the entire car shakes left and right with the wiper on high speed. It's really not very lux to be sitting in a car that's rocking like an overloaded washing machine.

The rust seems like more of a problem on the earlier years of w210. I had a '97 which came from Florida, and was starting to look like swiss cheese when I sold it. Rust-through on almost every panel. Disgraceful.

I replaced it with a '98 that spent its whole life in northern Maryland according to carfax, and there's not a spot of rust anywhere on the car, over or under. Its pristine, at 19 years old and 155k miles. White, btw.

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1998 E300 turbodiesel

America's Rights and Freedoms Are Not The Enemy!

Thanks for the note on Florida! just looking at a 2006 with only 97K miles for 6900 and it never occurred to me Florida was rust zone. Its a Florida trade in selling at a dealership. lots of great info here! On the West coast that car would be priced at about 8,900!

If I pursue that car I will have it thoroughly checked for any signs of corrosion!

I would tend to vote for the W211 because of the modernity factor. But, most important is to avoid the dreaded balance-shaft gear cars, which were the M272/273 engines up through sometime in '07 (google for the exact cutoff).

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Prost!

The Autel MaxiDas system provides all the diagnostics I need on the 210 car.

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Jim

This right here. Stick to the m112/m113.
That's great if you spend $1000 on a diagnostic tool for a $2000 car.

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Okay the 272 is a four valve (per cylinder) engine with radically variable cam timing and its found in the E350, not the E320 unless Im wrong, and for t his reason I stay away from the E350 through 2006 which are sometimes VERY underpriced for this reason. 4000K to more to repair this issue. The W211 is three valves per cyl and has a balancer shaft but not the same failure problems.

If Im wrong please correct. I think the commenter is right to be wary but talking about a different engine.

Not sure when the M272 replaced the M112 in the W211, but I think in '05? Also, the E320 became the moniker for the diesel version, the CDI.

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Prost!