Alright, so I'm looking for opinions from people who know what they're talking about (that's you guys). This board has been really helpful to me in the past so that's why I'm asking this here.
Right now I drive a 1989 190e 2.6. I really love that car but it's older and it has over 205,000 miles on it. It's started to get a weird rattle at certain rpm's, it has more rust than I'm comfortable with, blah blah blah. What I'm trying to figure out is where I can go from here. I'm selling my motorcycle and as I save up more money will eventually sell my car (don't know how much I can get for it though, hmm...).
My question is: what, in your opinion, would be a nice replacement for the 190? What i have in mind is to spend $5-7 grand on an e320, because to me, that's the next step up. I want something much newer and I'd like to stay with Mercedes but I also have read some disconcerting things about the electrical work in these cars. What are your opinions on the e320's and is there a certain year ('96-'98) that has been shown to have the least trouble? If not an e320, what else?
I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say.
Thanks!
Mike
Vehicle: 90 300SE (84k Miles) 08 Lexus ES350 Ultra (5k Miles) 07 GMC Sierra SLE (6k Miles) Sold list -->
Location: FL
Posts: 1,979
Avoid 96-99 E320/420/430. They are cheap, cheap and cheaper. You will be very dissapointed with them coming from a real Benzo. Do not expect 200K+ miles out of one without serious work and electrical issues. You should look at a 94/95 E320 or move up to an 00-02 E320 (if you can afford the newer one). With your budget, I'd stick with a W124 94/95 E320 in mint condition with low mileage (under 100k). You will love it and it won't have any trouble getting to 200k++ miles.
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"One anecdotal story does not constitute a statistic."
Previous Rides:
89 560SL sold at 45k miles
04 C240 sold at 25k miles
05 Mini Cooper S sold at 50k miles
01 Audi S8 sold at 65k miles
00 Audi A4 sold at 75k miles
06 Chevy Silverado LT3/Z sold at 60k miles
99 Chevy Silverado LT sold at 85k miles
Owned a '84 190e, at 220k miles I gave it away and bought a used 1997 e320 (65k), last of the in-line 6s--just the car I wanted...it has been good to me--60k service performed, a few minor oil leaks repaired, new tires, and recently a minor water pump leak at 85k....I never go to a dealer, just independent MB shops in the DC area....I love my '97 e320.
Vehicle: 90 300SE (84k Miles) 08 Lexus ES350 Ultra (5k Miles) 07 GMC Sierra SLE (6k Miles) Sold list -->
Location: FL
Posts: 1,979
Quote:
Originally Posted by triode
Owned a '84 190e, at 220k miles I gave it away and bought a used 1997 e320 (65k), last of the in-line 6s--just the car I wanted...it has been good to me--60k service performed, a few minor oil leaks repaired, new tires, and recently a minor water pump leak at 85k....I never go to a dealer, just independent MB shops in the DC area....I love my '97 e320.
The used car market is funny in that most cars of the same spec sell for about the same price.
However, IMHO, most--and I mean most--Mercedes that are for sale for $5-7 grand might as well just be totalled, as most--and I mean most--immediately require about that much in repairs to make them right.
So, if you can find the rare example that's been properly maintained--meaning not just the oil changed, but broken things fixed/replaced--then go for it.
The E320 you envision will have an M104 motor which very likely needs $2K in head gasket repair.
Plus $2k in transmission repair.
Plus $2k in HVAC repair.
Etc
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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '06 E320CDI
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