'98 E320 Known Problems?
 

I am buying a '98 E320 with 56K. A search of the archive did not turn up any major problems.

Being new to the MB fold, I wondered if there were any problems I should be aware of?

Thanks,
Jeb

As an asside, winter tire recomendations? Blizzaks?

I think the front seat brackets on this series breaks after awhile and it costs about $1000 to fix. You will need snow tires on it as they are bad in the snow with regualr tires. I put Dunlop winter sports on the '99 E300 and it did very well this last week in almost 10 " of snow. Very predictable handling and good hill climbing after switching off traction control.

The rubber portion of the harmonic balancer pulley is known to fail on the earlier M112 and M113 engines.

Do a search, there is a ton of info.

You can install the new one for about $400...

Our 1998 E300 had many many problems, but they were related mostly to the engine. Bad glow plugs (several times), leaking front and rear main seals (several times on both). Leaking valve cover gasket. Belt tensioner and shock. Shifter bushings. Final drive seals (twice). Evaporator temp sensor (one side). Broken seat frame. Power seat switch. The ABS light flashed every now and then, and no reason was ever found.

MB did something like $15K in repairs in the year we owned it.

Nokian Hakka 1. Very good. Advice from the Frozen North...