Advice on purchase of 99 E300D - Benzworld.org

bmisf · 08-22-2004, 02:52 PM

Hi all -

I've found a 99 E300D I'm considering purchasing, and would love some quick advice.

The car looks good overall; engine runs well, everything throughout works as it should, a bit high on mileage (98,000), single owner since new. There are a few door dings and minor scratches, but overall the exterior and interior are in fine shape.

I noted the following issues:

- A groan when turning far to the left but not to the right (sounds like a pump noise to me)

- Minor wobbling in the brake pedal when braking (brakes were redone 15K miles ago)

- Diesel fuel smell from the engine compartment - no obvious leaks or staining

- Occasional minor squeal from the center outlets when A/C is on

- The display in the dash has weak lighting on the time (temp, odometers are fine, but the time led looks washed out and is hard to read in light)

The car drives great, rides and brakes straight and true, and feels "right" other than the issues I've noted.

The owners think the car is in excellent shape (hah - of course) and are asking a premium price for it. I'm taking it to a dealer tomorrow to look it over, but thought you all might have some quick advice on any or all of the above issues.

Thanks in advance for the help.

- Steve

gerden · 08-22-2004, 04:44 PM

Hi Steve for what its worth Mines a 98 E300TD with 93kmls.
Cant comment unfortunately on your specific questions but,
This wouldnt be big mileage for the car.
If she has a service history you might want to talk to whomever serviced her. Best of luck if you decide to buy,
Gerden

RestyB · 08-22-2004, 09:32 PM

Hi Steve--as Gerden comments, the service history is a must, not only for the car you are considering but for any used car. My father has the an E300 and has only 38K on the clock. He resolved any issues with the car through the dealership before it went out of warranty and hopefully the current owner has done it as well. I really like the E300 and everytime I get a chance to drive it, I am amazee how its pickup and quietness. I myself have a W123 w/200K on the clock and it is meticulously maintained (oil change, fluids etc.)

Again, maintained properly this car should be a good buy.

Best of luck.

mgyl · 08-23-2004, 06:41 AM

Hi

One thing you haven't mentioned is if there were any rust, which is more or less impossible to get rid of and certainly is hard to see at a first look.

Check these links out and make sure that your car isn't infected:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1182735&posts=5&hl=rust

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1180326&posts=5&hl=rust

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=406500&posts=12&hl=rust

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=455565&posts=1&hl=rust

Morgan

E300POS · 08-23-2004, 07:44 AM

Note the date on the original post. I suspect his decision was already made.

bmisf · 08-23-2004, 08:20 AM

Perhaps you confused my registration date with the post date - I just posted yesterday, and the comments are really helpful. I'm heading over to the dealer now to have some of the mechanical issues looked at, and will take a look for the rust spots mentioned in the links. Thanks for the help!

- Steve

bmisf · 08-23-2004, 05:29 PM

Dealer confirmed:

- Warped rear rotors

- Leak from fuel return line

- Fluid low on power steering pump; no obvious current failure but may be on its way out

- Loose front ball joints

- Minor corrosion under one door sill in addition to the door dings and scratches and a corroded scratch on one front fender.

And a few other minor odds and ends.

Despite all of this they described the car as in "excellent" mechanical condition overall (the engine has been well-cared for).

I ended up passing due to the price - the owners weren't willing to come down from a price that is above the "outstanding" category private sale price on Edmunds, though the car more fits the "clean" category and has the above issues that it would be nice to fix.

Thanks again for the help.

E300POS · 08-23-2004, 08:28 PM

I did exactly that. Sorry. May I ask what they were asking? I was recently test driving an Acura and some others in that price range. I'm surprised at how little I was offered as a trade in. They seemed uncomfortable offering it. My car is unremarkable and is a 98 E300 with 104K. Trying to convince someone that a MB diesel is good for 250K or better falls on deaf ears. They would simply wholesale it and not allow it on their lot.

bmisf · 08-23-2004, 08:45 PM

$24,500.

After much pushing, they were willing to go to $22,000. But that's still well above the book values I could find, even on Edmunds, which is quite a bit higher than the others.

E300POS · 08-23-2004, 09:27 PM

WOW! If they've tried to trade it in, they were shocked too! I was offered well less then 10K on a trade. Ebay prices for the E300's of that vintage are in the 10k to 15k range from what I've seen. I love the car when it all works. When it breaks, it's expensive and time consuming to get it fixed. Right now it's working. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck in your search.