[Elvis_Presley]

The good news: This north carolina car has NO rust! I applied rustproofing stuff today. took off all the door panels, the inner fenders, rock panels, etc. No rust. The only trace i saw was the slightest beginning of rust around the tailgate latch. I wouldn't have noticed it but i was looking for it there--among other places. Oh yeah--a couple of slightly rusty bolt heads--also on the tailgate. Wonder how it will look after a minnesota winter...Hopefully better than if I hadn't sprayed the heck out of it with fluid film.

The bad news--besides minor stuff like a boken cupholder and other minor interior pieces. is that it says I'm only getting 16 MILES TO THE GALLON! (Mixed hwy and city). Is it accurate?

I'm ordering a new air filter--doesn't look too bad, but I'd be happy if that were the problem. Anything else i should look for?

 

[Elvis_Presley]

oh, by the way--you wouldn't believe the amount of dirt and leaves that came out from behind the front inner fenders. the leaves that end up behind the hood make their way down the drains on either side and get trapped behind the inner fender. Guy must've parked underneath trees all the time. Still, no rust.

 

[fabbrisd1]

If it was me I would get mudflaps for your front and rear wheel wells.

EPA says 20mpg, less: 10% for the ethanol we have.

At 90K you are at 10% life left on the consumable components in the emissions and fue systeM; sparkplugs (a $110 job Bosch OE plugs and spark plug boot tool and swivel socket), MAF (Bosch bona fide $180) key front 02 sensors $220 for Bosche plug in's) and air cleaner (Mann $16).

Get some Stabil Blue to clean up the injection system while you are at it ($11)

 

[tirona]

depending on your driving style 16mpg is not that terrible on a 4matic wagon, also most likely gas stations started to sell winter blend gasoline so that's another 5-10% loss in gas mileage. but the first thing to start when trying to improve gas mileage is replacing spark plugs.
are you on stock wheels, or have 18" or 19" wheels?

 

[Elvis_Presley]

I was seriously considering a car with 46k. it was 2 grand more. it looked mint and they claimed it had no rust--i never got it inspected. If i knew I would have to dump a bunch of money into this one, I may have gone for the other one. But I hope its something inexpensive. i will probably replace the plugs in the spring.

fabbrisd1
Where do i get mudflaps that fit right?

tirona
Stock wheels. I was hoping for better mileage. What was it rated at overall?

 

[Hirnbeiss]

Pump up the tire pressure and make sure your parking brake is adjusted properly so there's no dragging.
I get 22 in mixed driving with a 430, so I would think you can match that with the 320 (even with a wagon and AWD).

 

[sjphill]

Just drove from Nashville to Pensacola and back, E320 wagon with a Thule box on the top, 24.5 mpg on average running anywhere from 55 mph to 80 mph!

 

[SPVFD47]

Put some sea foam in it a 100 miles before you change the oil and air filter. After changing the oil put some Lucas Fuel treatment in it and fill it up. I'd change the plugs and wires as soon as you can. Then test it out before doing more expensive and involved DIY's projects. Before doing the MAF and O2 sensors, change the fuel filter. Its an easy task and you never know if the previous owner put good gas in the vehicle.