I have read some horror stories about later models but couldn't find anything on 1997 e320 sedan. Am I justy not looking in the right place or does the 97 have fewer problems overall?
not in my experience it isn't. Had a 1990 w124 ran it for 4 years with no problems, gave it to my mother who is still running it.
Had 97 e320 for 12 months ,seem to have had a string of silly issues with it. From blowing bulbs , faulty brake lights, interior light falling to pieces At present we can't drive it because it keeps cutting out, sometimes failing to start again, Had enough of leaving it by the roadside and walking home.
Must say that i'm dissapointed with the build quality compared to what i had with the 124.
124 is mechanically (at least mostly) operated car, while 210 is by my opinion computer with wheels attached. Different animals with different problems.
I used to drive 124 and although it was very reliable car (sold it with 320,000 miles on 2.5l diesel) I really love much better comfort and additional gadgets 210 offers.
Our "new" 97 E300D at 230,000 miles shows some age-related problems, like leaking o-rings, burnt windshield sprayers and coolant pumps, but with minimal restoration I can picture it on the road in the year 2020.
I get the idea the 210 enjoyed it's most reliable years until 2000 with a slight drop for '01 & '02. The '97 has the advantage/disadvantage of the the old straight 6 engine. Commentary available ad nauseum on this site. Has the old 4 speed automatic that was reliable though a bit less gas mileage than the newer cars with the 5 speed.
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'87 300E: sold after 11years @ 230k & still on the road somewhere in rural Tennessee.
'94 C220 with 93k totalled 10/06 by hit & run broadsiding monster truck: not a scratch or bruise for me
I get the idea the 210 enjoyed it's most reliable years until 2000 with a slight drop for '01 & '02. The '97 has the advantage/disadvantage of the the old straight 6 engine. Commentary available ad nauseum on this site. Has the old 4 speed automatic that was reliable though a bit less gas mileage than the newer cars with the 5 speed.
96 E320 has the old 4 speed
97 E320/420 has the new 5 speed
i am not sure but doesnt the 97 E320 have the old M104 motor the same one the 300e's have? if infact if it does have that motor then the motor itself is pretty bullit proof except for head gaskets which i am sure mercedes got a cure for since your car is a 1997... but the motor is good except the gas milage... i am not sure about the tranny since mine is a 4 speed and i have a 1993 300e 2.8. exceptional motor though. maybe since the guy a few post says above there might be an electrical issue's you can check Car information, new car prices, used car values, used car reviews, new car reviews - MSN Autos they have reliability rating and reviews from fellow benz drivers. good motor but i cant say that about the car and transmission, and i say car as everything other then the motor. lol wish i could help you out more.
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300E 1993 121k MILES (MINE)
S500 2004 4 Matic 37,000 MILES (mine)
BMW 750Li 2007 15,700 MILES (Dad)
Lexus GS460 (Mom) 9,000 MILES (too much power)
2007 E350 4 Matic (Side Car) 11000 MILES
07 STi with a bit of work done to her... (brothers)
Vehicle: E320, SLK320, MKV Jetta TDI, Mini Cooper S
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,678
The 97 was the first to have the 5 speed and it has the better inline 6 that was reworked in 95 and also used in the S-Class until 99.
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When did they change to round headlights? My old time german mechanic - 60 years under wrench - swears that was the beginning of the end for quality Benzes. He absolutely hates my C280 (which still has the old headlights BTW). Anybody else have comment about the "Bug Eye Benzes" being more problematic than their immediate predecessors?
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Scott in MD/DC
94 E320 Wagon (Just getting broken in)
95 C280 (RIP)
87 190E (Sold)
"There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes"
Vehicle: E320, SLK320, MKV Jetta TDI, Mini Cooper S
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,678
It used to be said that a Mercedes was "Overbuilt". This made them stronger, last longer and a great car to buy. There was a push to make more profit at the cost of quality.
The new 3.2L V6 and the 4.3L V8 for example were part of a cost savings move. The Inline 6 cost more to make and would not fit in all of the proposed body styles that were in the works. The V6 and V8 share a lot of the internal parts and specs to reduce cost as well.
A W124 E-Class may feel like a more solid car than the W210 that replaced it and the W201 may feel better than the W202 and so on.
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