Hello all! First time poster and just got first MB!
After getting sick of doing 9 city /12 highway on my truck since 2003, I decide to take over my sister-in-law's 2001 E320 for my everyday tasks. Thinking I'll be getting better miles in a good quality car. I sure would get better mileage with this car but what I didn't expected was, how my sister-in-law and brother never take care of their cars. Given I only paid fraction of the car's worth but what I'll have to deal with is going to take away my weekends plan, I think the car has all the problem that people have mentioned on here. Here are the lists I've noticed just on the way from my brother's house.
1. RUST. - Rust are every where!
2. Body need some works. - pic provided
3. Haven't done Service B for 18100 miles
4. Radio and command console doesn't work. - the radio and phone shows '- - - -'
5. Climate control light doesn't light up. - radio probably doesn't light up too if it was working.
6. The car is shaking before when it makes a complete stop. - trany going bad? (hope not)
7. Has an annoying clicking sound from the seat - suspect lose nuts.
8. When I put on reverse it has 1 light malfunction. - checked all the lights but haven't found that 1 light out.
9. Garble time and outside temp indicator. - read it some where here I could fix this?
10. Steering wheel noise - probably low power steering fluid?
These 10 are things that I've noticed while doing 15 minutes drive home from my brother's house. God only knows other problems it has on this care. I'll have to do some more investigating tomorrow. If there's other things that I should check, let me know.
I am not much of a DIY kind of guy but recent lack of business, prices of dealers/mechanics and my spending will force me to step in to the world of DIY.
I don't know where to start.
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2001 E320 joined on 104182 Miles
Holy Sh#$...!!! do they hate you? wtf.. is this flood damage?
dude....i would get rid of this pos as fast as possible, like yesterday maybe would not be fast enough.
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1998 E430 Sport w/ 94k miles, Brilliant Silver.
=================================== Fighting for peace....is like screwing for virginity
Get your money back, its a money pit!!! and don't do business with family it never works out.
Unfortunately, this was unrefundable deal now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mildbrew
Holy Sh#$...!!! do they hate you? wtf.. is this flood damage?
dude....i would get rid of this pos as fast as possible, like yesterday maybe would not be fast enough.
Although they did unknowingly told me stories about the car, I am pretty sure they don't hate me. All he asked for me to pay for a family steak dinner and $5000 deposit on his new R350 purchase today. Figured a visit to body shop or replacing the door would fix the problems for the rust on the passenger door?
For everybody's information I did a search, and I just took out the A/C unit and the radio using pair of filet knife and a plastic spatula. I am very concerned about the radio. I checked for the lose plug or wire but it wasn't lose plugs at the end. I guess I'll have to take it apart and see if there's anything I can do. They did told me it was working fine before her son somehow mess with it. Looks like the lamp is easily replaceable on A/C unit. I saw the screw on bottom of the unit and took it out. I am going to Auto Zone tomorrow for few necessities and this small bulb. Anybody have the part number for the bulb?
Although they did unknowingly told me stories about the car, I am pretty sure they don't hate me. All he asked for me to pay for a family steak dinner and $5000 deposit on his new R350 purchase today. Figured a visit to body shop or replacing the door would fix the problems for the rust on the passenger door?
For everybody's information I did a search, and I just took out the A/C unit and the radio using pair of filet knife and a plastic spatula. I am very concerned about the radio. I checked for the lose plug or wire but it wasn't lose plugs at the end. I guess I'll have to take it apart and see if there's anything I can do. They did told me it was working fine before her son somehow mess with it. Looks like the lamp is easily replaceable on A/C unit. I saw the screw on bottom of the unit and took it out. I am going to Auto Zone tomorrow for few necessities and this small bulb. Anybody have the part number for the bulb?
just kidding bro...but seriously, although i am no expert on mercs but this looks like a lot of work at first sight, but it's mostly diy doable stuff. For that much money, i think its fine. Even if you spend $5k fixing it up, $10k for a 2001 is not a bad deal.
If you are to restore a car, the Mercedes or Royce-Rolls are the best candidates.
You have good base and the small stuff is not that important and with some patience can be fixed for low cost.
Being at the end of remodeling of 44 years old Airstream trailer, I can tell you exactly how important good base is.
The main issue for me would be corrosion. Do you know those cars had recall on door corrosion protection? Check with the dealer if it was done? Otherwise scrape off the rust bubbles and at least prime it for now.
Good luck and BTW congratulations on new vehicle.
Yeah. I think its still is a good deal. Just don't drive it till you have changed the fluids. Then, have the body fixed and do show before and after pictures .
Oh no... You gotta help me out here... I need all the help i can get.
Quote:
just kidding bro...but seriously, although i am no expert on mercs but this looks like a lot of work at first sight, but it's mostly diy doable stuff. For that much money, i think its fine. Even if you spend $5k fixing it up, $10k for a 2001 is not a bad deal.
I figured that. But I don't think i'll put another $5k in this car just yet, but who knows I probably go out on a limb and go crazy.
Quote:
If you are to restore a car, the Mercedes or Royce-Rolls are the best candidates.
You have good base and the small stuff is not that important and with some patience can be fixed for low cost.
Being at the end of remodeling of 44 years old Airstream trailer, I can tell you exactly how important good base is.
The main issue for me would be corrosion. Do you know those cars had recall on door corrosion protection? Check with the dealer if it was done? Otherwise scrape off the rust bubbles and at least prime it for now.
Good luck and BTW congratulations on new vehicle.
I don't have great knowledge about Mercs and restoring a car, but I guess this is good start to learn. I didn't know about the recalls, I guess I'll have to check dealers on that one. And thanks! It looks like, I'll need all the luck and help on this one.
Quote:
Yeah. I think its still is a good deal. Just don't drive it till you have changed the fluids. Then, have the body fixed and do show before and after pictures .
Thanks. I don't know about the DIY fluid changes, because it still is cold here time to time, but I do have a great truck that will take me to places. I'll start with the minor things and move on to bigger one. And there will be pictures, I'll start taking few from outside tomorrow.
dude try to find used body parts like the door or the instrumentation panel on a junk yard may be one that have an accident in the back and the front is good and you can use it like spares .
i dont know much of benz because i buy mine like a month ago but may be is a good idea
Just got a 2001 E320 with lot of problems... 
ohlord
I am very concerned about the radio. I checked for the lose plug or wire but it wasn't lose plugs at the end. I guess I'll have to take it apart and see if there's anything I can do. They did told me it was working fine before her son somehow mess with it. Looks like the lamp is easily replaceable on A/C unit. I saw the screw on bottom of the unit and took it out. I am going to Auto Zone tomorrow for few necessities and this small bulb. Anybody have the part number for the bulb?
LOU
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