Should I buy this??
 

Hi, all.
Subject is 2001 E-320 wagon w/ 4-matic.
I am aware of the 4-Matic problems with the older models. Have these
been addressed in the newer cars?
If so, in which year did the less-troublesome cars appear?
Also....
How greatly will my ownership experience with a <newer> Benz
differ from owning my two (84,85) older diesels? Aside from the
basic things I can do myself, do you suppose I'll be driven mad by lots of stuff only the dealers can help me with?
In short, am I getting in over my head with a car I'll no longer be able to handle minor repairs on?

The new V6 appeared in 1998 and is a very good engine (search 'crankshaft balancer' though), the 5 speed transmission was also 'fixed' in 1998 (I think), the second generation 4-Matic is very good with little problems also. How much is the owner or dealer asking for the car and how many miles? Get it checked out by a MB pro.

My local pro....
 

Considers the 1995 model year to be the "last" of what he
feels are the traditional Benz. That is, way overbuilt and engineered to last a lifetime. He doesn't wish to become involved with any MB newer than that. When I asked about a pre-purchase inspection, he claims he'll "be of no use" to me, as he
doesn't work on the newer models.
This guy is a good friend of mine. I consider him to be somewhat of a staunch traditionalist in many ways. Technology-shy, perhaps. But a good guy nonetheless. I don't mind doing oil and filter, brakes, etc, but if anything exotic(to me) needs addressed, then I'll need to go to a dealer, I suppose. Are the newer MB models using proprietary technology such that one needs <their> software/special hardware to get codes, etc?
This car (I ran a Carfax) is a one-owner, not-a-leasedog, beauty with 79K miles. A local used-car dealer has it for about $27,000
which is considerably below book. No issues I can detect.
I currently have two older MB, a 300SD and a 300TD both with considerably more than 200K miles. I find them easy to diagnose and repair myself. I am by trade a truck mechanic. If I have a question, I have always been able to go to my friend. I buy this car and it looks like I may be on my own. According to what I can glean from Consumer Reports, reliabilty on the '01 E-320 is pretty good, and taken point-by-point is in fact improved over the 94-95
models.
So, what is there to be scared of?