What is the latest on what to look for in a '98 or '99 E320 wagon? I have read a number of posts and they are all over the place.I'm looking for the big,expensive problems that may be hard to see.What kind of price range are these selling for in Atlanta area? Am I foolish to even consider one? Our Volvo V90 just got totaled.
Last edited by Stan Redwine : 02-22-2007 at 01:52 PM.
Rust very like them I think that rust is most horrible thing for this model. Before then you'll buy it, take a look at spring arches (most important and really dangerous damage), under door's seal (especially in top window’s frame part). Rear trunk door in key lock place. Those places have common rust issues.
My 99 E320 4-M wagon spend most of it's life in Minneapolis, has lot of front end chips due the sand on the roads and no sign of corrosion.
Hearing the rumors about front perch (?) I even took my time to inspect our 97 E-classe. At 230,000 miles looks perfect with no single crack, but that car come from Texas.
So I don't know if the problems are minimal, or existing in Canada only.
Saying that we love our wagon. It is the first choice for family vacations.
Rust very like them I think that rust is most horrible thing for this model. Before then you'll buy it, take a look at spring arches (most important and really dangerous damage), under door's seal (especially in top window’s frame part). Rear trunk door in key lock place. Those places have common rust issues.
I don't know if this rust issue is really blown out of proportion, but when I had my tires replaced I had the shop check out the spring perches and not a spec of rust, then again I live in California.
Unfortunate for you guys in the Midwest and East Coast to have these issues.
My front perches look good (I checked them recently when replaced engine mounts). But I just bought POR15 to try to stop corrosion in read doors and trunk door. Rust appears exactly under seals (on top of the frame). Front doors are fine, but rear. I read that it is pretty common issue for W210.
I have 2000 W210 E320T and live in Northern VA.
My 99 E320 4-M wagon spend most of it's life in Minneapolis, has lot of front end chips due the sand on the roads and no sign of corrosion.
Hearing the rumors about front perch (?) I even took my time to inspect our 97 E-classe. At 230,000 miles looks perfect with no single crack, but that car come from Texas.
So I don't know if the problems are minimal, or existing in Canada only.
Saying that we love our wagon. It is the first choice for family vacations.
You've got the two models that dont seem to be affected by the spring perch rust issue, a 4M and a diesel. There is speculation that the front suspensions on these 210's were made stronger to handle the extra front end weight associated with both models (ie a heavy diesel engine or the extra weight of the front differential). I have no idea about specifics, like extra bracing or heavier-duty parts, or whatever. But these two models don't seem to have the spring perch issues.
We've had our wagon since last October and we love it so far. We bought it with 70K miles on it after a complete mechanical inspection by my trusted indy. As with all M112 engined cars upto 2004 (?) you need to make sure the harmonic balancer issue is dealt with. The US has a recall, Canada doesn't. Its a ~$100 part and takes 20 minutes to replace. Failure can cause $4k+ in damage.
As with all M112 engined cars upto 2004 (?) you need to make sure the harmonic balancer issue is dealt with. The US has a recall, Canada doesn't. Its a ~$100 part and takes 20 minutes to replace. Failure can cause $4k+ in damage.
Make that 2000.
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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '06 E320CDI
Considering E320 wagons 
I think that rust is most horrible thing for this model. Before then you'll buy it, take a look at spring arches (most important and really dangerous damage), under door's seal (especially in top window’s frame part). Rear trunk door in key lock place. Those places have common rust issues.
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