Do a check on the M104 engine. That should give you an idea.

Also, you didn't tell us what the service history is. If regularly serviced, you will have fewer issues to deal with.

I own a 1998 E320 and I am VERY happy with it. They have different engines, however.

Generally the W210 series are very good cars...some say the best that Benz has made in recent history.

Good luck....

 

The M104 engine inline 6 had upgrades done to it in 1995. The reports of problems with wiring harnesses and head gasket leaks are from the older W124 model. The 96 and 97 model years of the W210 have the improved M104 engine that was used in the S-Class up until 1999. There is much debate over the inline 6 and the V6. For a first year model change, the 96 is more solid because it inherited the improved parts from the W124. In 97 the transmission was changed to the 5 speed that has problems with fluid leaking in to the control module and then in 98 they went to V6 that had problems with the harmonic balancer up until 2001. So the 98 and 99 model years reported the most problems because they had both engine and transmission problems.

 

I drove a '96 E320 for a few years (2002-2004) and think that the quality in that car was superior to the quality in my 2001 E320. I also preferred the inline 6 to the V6.

As with any car, check the service records (if possible) and have a pre-purchase inspection done.

 

i bought a 96 e320 about 4 months ago and i really havent had any major problems since i had it. when i first bought it, the dealership replaced the front left spring that actually fell off while i was driving. Just so happen it fell off about 15 minutes after leaving the dealership from buying the car. i called them and they towed it in and repaired it in about a week and gave me a rental until it was ready. other than that i had a left rear wheel bearing replaced that costed about $250.(word of advice.......dont let anybody (JiffyLube,Mathis Tire and battery or any shop like that touch your car...) I let Mathis tire and battery replace my wheel bearing and of course they screwed it up. they paid for me a rental car until they fixed thier screw up 3 days later...last week my right rear window regulator went out. i used the posted DIY instructions on here and got everything squared away..the part is $115... it beats taking it anywhere else and paying $500...(MB Dealer) I love my car though..they are pretty reliable.

 

We have had a '96 purchased new (demo model driven by wife of dealership owner) in August of '96. We love everything about the car except for durability. Has 63,000 miles on it, always serviced by dealer per schedule. Never driven hard or aggressively (wife has been primary driver with average daily commute of .5 miles)

Had two of the window regulators go out within a month. First one I paid for, when the second went out I raised hell at the dealership and they covered under warranty. Regulator is out again on LR and I'm going to do the DIY from this web site.

A/C went out at 56,000 miles. Forced Dealer to repair under warranty as they diagnosed the problem at 40,000 miles but were unable to find source of problem until it got worse. Bad head gasket @ 48,000, made them repair under warranty even though car was 5 years old. All door locks no longer work, auto infra red broke but dealer couldn't figure out problem so no repair possible. Drivers side door lock broken, so we have to lock/unlock the vehicle using the trunk lock. Turn indicator dimmer stalk broke, no warranty repair possible $900 estimated repair cost. I fix it every 3 months or so with super glue. Another big A/C break @ 62,000 miles $900. Radio lost security code when battery went dead. Current code requires a #6 but the #6 button doesn't work. Currently following items need repair:

Auxiliary Cooling Fan
Controller for Aux Cooling Fan
Mass Airflow indicator
LR Window Regulator*
New Radio
Auto Door Lock*
Drivers Door Lock*

Repair cost from Dealer for items without asterisk $2,800.

Paint fit and finish - Black Opal paint color. Beautiful color but finish has completely deteriorated on Roof Rails, Roof, Trunk Deck. By deteriorated I mean either faded to white or serious orange peel. Car was waxed regularly. Minor rust where license plate housing and trunk meet. Caused by sticky rubber seal around trunk. Cracked dashboard vinyl. Replaced once under warranty at 36,000 miles, cracked again @ 48,000 miles was told once is all you get under warranty.

 

Owning these type of cars seem to really be a headache. i also have a 96 ford explorer and i have never had to replace a window regulator or nothing. i've owned it for about 5 yrsr now and the only thing i had to replace was the thermostat(20mins...$4.95) and of course normal wear and tear (breakpads and stuff like that)... I guess we will have to put of with these repairs since we want to ride BENZ....

 

coterotie, you mentioned your car was a demo model, whatelse whould you expect? the people that test drive that car, don't give 2 crap about it, that car got beat up, my experince with the inline 6, they are the best engine around, owned a 95 E320, currently have a 97 e320 and 94 sl320 all the same engine.

 

Hello all. I am new to the forum and have decided recently to purchase my own E320 1996 here in Germany. I pray for the best. All indications for the vehicle are positive--full service history, one owner, low mileage, clearly garaged and no rust. I was advised to get a compression test for the engine but I have decided against it based on all the other relevant factors surrounding this car. Hopefully I have found a keeper and not a lemon. The only known issues are (owing to previous posts), the locks--auto locking funcions no longer work. But I can deal with that and hope to repair them using data from other posts in the forum(s). Hoping for a classic car in 2016 that I can bring Stateside! Thanks to all of you whom have made such great posts over the years and the assistance thereby to help me make a purchase decision!

 

I love my 104 engine. I had to replace my transmission with a low mileage donor last year. But I have heard many a MB tech say the w210 was one of the best. The first generation transmissions did have issues but with a 96 you get the tried and true 104 and the carry over tranny.