I'm thinking of buying a 2005 e320 4matic with 215,000 km. I'm not worried about the purchase price, but I am interested in knowing if such a car is likely to be a money pit. I'm fine spending a few k in preventative maintenance - unless that's just a drop in the bucket. I'll be taking the car to my mechanic for an inspection before purchase - are there specific things I should ask him to check out? (He's not a mercedes specialist) I should warn you that if I buy this car, I'll haunt these forums relentlessly looking for maintenance tips. I drive about 5k per year, and I'm looking for something that I can drive for the next 10 years.
Spoonheim
I guess this all depends upon your perspective of what constitutes a "money pit".
I have purchased 2 '05 E's in the past few years. Both of which have required occasional repairs for things wearing out. And I have done a few other things myself in expectation of failure like the idler pulley, belt and tentioner, tranny fluid, etc. Both the estate and sedan have required replacement air shocks, and one compressor and I think those repairs represented highest expense so far. Air system appears not to have been made to live 10 years, so expect problems there - if they have not already been addressed. But all together these repairs have yet to add up to anything near the equivalent yearly sum total of car payments at the original off-the-showroom-floor price.
If you need to finance the purchase, consider routine repair costs into your equation. Also consider the past owners. Like most machines, if abused, they tend to abuse you back. I am still happy with both of mine, especially the E500 (comfort, power, ride, etc.), but I believe I chose wisely. Good luck, and choose wisely yourself.
I have purchased 2 '05 E's in the past few years. Both of which have required occasional repairs for things wearing out. And I have done a few other things myself in expectation of failure like the idler pulley, belt and tentioner, tranny fluid, etc. Both the estate and sedan have required replacement air shocks, and one compressor and I think those repairs represented highest expense so far. Air system appears not to have been made to live 10 years, so expect problems there - if they have not already been addressed. But all together these repairs have yet to add up to anything near the equivalent yearly sum total of car payments at the original off-the-showroom-floor price.
If you need to finance the purchase, consider routine repair costs into your equation. Also consider the past owners. Like most machines, if abused, they tend to abuse you back. I am still happy with both of mine, especially the E500 (comfort, power, ride, etc.), but I believe I chose wisely. Good luck, and choose wisely yourself.
"there is not too many things that can get expensive as fast as cheap Mercedes-Benz"
When the wisdom always applies and buying 15 years old car require some good homework, the drivetrain you are considering proved itself to be real workhorse in W210 models and only newer W211 body added SBC brakes, who in your country might cost you a bit and some cars come with airmatic, who is another high maintenance bill.
Check how much replacing those things will potentially cost you and calculate it in purchase decision.
Obviously check CV joints.
When the wisdom always applies and buying 15 years old car require some good homework, the drivetrain you are considering proved itself to be real workhorse in W210 models and only newer W211 body added SBC brakes, who in your country might cost you a bit and some cars come with airmatic, who is another high maintenance bill.
Check how much replacing those things will potentially cost you and calculate it in purchase decision.
Obviously check CV joints.
I own a 2004 e320 4 Matic with 148K miles. It runs like a clock. Quiet, smooth and very reliable. I've owned it since 2008 @20k miles. Drove through a heavy rainstorm on Thursday evening and lost my cruise control, with warnings for the ABS, ESP and BRAKE go to Workshop messages. I was on a trip, so kept driving. It went away on Friday afternoon; then came back; then went away and it is driving normal again. The truth is that there was never a difference in driving it with the exception of having no cruise control when it was acting up. Has anyone had this happen? I am interested in knowing if this is a problem starting or just a simple water shorted connection.
Agree with @Kajtek1 on that drivetrain. It's very reliable and very solid.
The time will come when you will need to replace the control arms, both upper and lower. The car is getting to about that age where that will be due if it hasn't been done already. This is true of all cars, BTW, and you will want to stick with OEM parts, because those are the good parts that will actually last you those 10 years. The thing is, being a 4Matic, the good control arms, to my knowledge, only come in Genuine-MB brand, which means the dealer. I'm not aware the Lemfoerder or TRW, the two big OEM's for MB suspension parts, sell those under their own brand (for 2WD, they do--go figure). So, look at US $1,200 for both sides when that comes due.
SBC is another thing. That pump is about $1,200 for a MB-reman'd pump--the only way I would go--so that's a good expense.
With all of that said, if you do get your car into "good repair" and keep it that way, which by my personal definition means you'd trust it on a trip from Vancouver, BC to Halifax, then that car will last you at least 10 years without needing anything major and probably considerably longer with virtually no fuss. Mercedes-Benzes with that drivetrain, kept up properly, generally are darn near as reliable as Hondas, and since we own several Hondas as well, I am qualified to make that statement.
So, count on a few thousand after purchase to get it into "good repair", remembering my definition. In return, you will get a car that will take you around the globe and then simply ask, "wassup next, boss?"
The time will come when you will need to replace the control arms, both upper and lower. The car is getting to about that age where that will be due if it hasn't been done already. This is true of all cars, BTW, and you will want to stick with OEM parts, because those are the good parts that will actually last you those 10 years. The thing is, being a 4Matic, the good control arms, to my knowledge, only come in Genuine-MB brand, which means the dealer. I'm not aware the Lemfoerder or TRW, the two big OEM's for MB suspension parts, sell those under their own brand (for 2WD, they do--go figure). So, look at US $1,200 for both sides when that comes due.
SBC is another thing. That pump is about $1,200 for a MB-reman'd pump--the only way I would go--so that's a good expense.
With all of that said, if you do get your car into "good repair" and keep it that way, which by my personal definition means you'd trust it on a trip from Vancouver, BC to Halifax, then that car will last you at least 10 years without needing anything major and probably considerably longer with virtually no fuss. Mercedes-Benzes with that drivetrain, kept up properly, generally are darn near as reliable as Hondas, and since we own several Hondas as well, I am qualified to make that statement.
So, count on a few thousand after purchase to get it into "good repair", remembering my definition. In return, you will get a car that will take you around the globe and then simply ask, "wassup next, boss?"
Thanks for all your responses. I've decided not to buy the car. To keep it in good running order costs more than maintaining my current cheapo car - there are just more things on the e320 to keep running (air system for suspension, and all related lines and seals, for example). It would be a great ride, much safer if I were in an accident, super handling with the 4matic - but all that just comes at a greater cost, plus using more gas, plus higher insurance, plus more expensive tires. If my income were higher, or if I gave up few hobbies, it would definitely be worth it - but I love my hobbies too much.
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