going to buy either a 97 e300d or a 91 350sd tommorow(maybe) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

wood_n_soldier · #1 10-12-2004, 01:02 AM

I am going to buy either a 97 e300d or a 91 350sd tommorow(maybe), now I read that the 91 350sd is a rod bender - how can I tell if the one I drove today has this issue? The things I noticed about it were that the tempature gauge never made it to 40 if it moved at all I can't recall, however when I turned the heat on all I had was cold air. It pulled ever so slightly to the left, and other than that it seemed to drive very nice.

The e300d had various strange issues, the car pulled to the right pretty good, there was a wind/whistle noise coming from somewhere by the hood release latch, it was actually noisier inside the car than out due to an almost grinding sound when you let off the gas, And lets not forget the oil that was only on one bolt, and then just a bit below it, (as you look into the engine bay from the front the bolt in question was on the front left corner). I asked the dealer about the pulling and grinding and made one of his guys go with me and they heard and saw the same things I did, and suggested it may be unequal tire presure or it needs an alignment which they will do (naturally) before I take it.

Both cars are on ebay and both have clean carfax reports, but after reading all the 350sd bashing and then just not knowing enough about these cars I came here for help. I currently have a 2001 Dodoge Ram 2500 4x4 and get 19mpg average, but I need a car that gets better (great) milage which is why I was leaning towards the e300d.

Here's the links for ebay, what do you guys think? should I just keep looking, or is there hope?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6330&item=2493406247&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6335&item=2493104247&rd=1

also note the bulge in the rear fender on the '97 is that normal?

oldsouth · #2 10-12-2004, 08:42 AM

Try finding a car from an individual. You will be much happier. Probably you would be happier with a 98-99 E300 with the turbo. Several on the market since the introduction of the CDI.

indiana · #3 10-12-2004, 09:24 AM

I got a 97 e300d I like it. Although there was a lot of pitting on the front it needed front brakes, tires and a few other things. I suggest you Check it over well look for any thing that does not work or needs repair and look up the prices because this will add to your final cost. Power mirror knob breaks regularly on this model. If you have serious pitting like I have it will need attention or you will get rusting problems. Add all the stuff you will have to do up then decide weather or not you should wait for another to come up (which it will) they come up weekly now on ebay and I would have waited myself. Hind sight is 20/20 Indy

KCampbell · #4 10-12-2004, 09:34 AM

If you really need great fuel economy you will need to look a bit further afield than either of these two vehicles - a VW TDI would be your best bet. I get 46mpg on average in my Jetta TDI wagon, my friend gets 51mpg in his Golf TDI.

The 350 does have a bit of a reputation, I cannot tell if it is deserved or not, but it probably won't do as well as the e300d for economy. EPA numbers are 28/35 for the e300D and 22/25 for the 350SDL. Both are an improvement on your truck, but not exactly a huge leap.

Kevin

Rick Miley · #5 10-12-2004, 10:03 AM

There are 5 days left on both auctions, and no buy-it-now prices posted. So if you tell us the actual prices, that may help a bit.

On the 350, any original engine is suspect. If the engine is rebuilt or replaced, then it should be fine.

The E300 had alignment issues early on, but that should have been corrected by now. It took my dealer three tries at aligning before they found out about the eccentric bolt kit to make something adjustable that wasn't before. Even with that done, alignment seems to be tricky on the W210 chassis.

The noises on that car don't sound good and would be cause for concern. Don't give them any money until everything is fixed to your satisfaction.

I don't see anything unusual in the pictures of the E300; it just looks like reflections in the picture. When you saw the car in person, was there a bulge?

TwitchKitty · #6 10-12-2004, 11:54 AM

After skimming the auction and reading your descriptions I wouldn't believe anything the dealer tells you. Get it in writing or don't even listen to it.

These could be good cars but you are on your own in determining that.

Run a carfax. Look for previous owner's names and call them.

Hatterasguy · #7 10-12-2004, 12:10 PM

I would take the W210 over the W126. I really like the 126 but the 350 engine has a bad rep. However the E300D has no such major issues. Don't believe what a dealer says. When my freind was W210 hunting he found a 97 in New Haven that was listed as perfect. The car was a pos, it had been hit and badly fixed. Also the engine didn't have any power and smoked.

wood_n_soldier · #8 10-12-2004, 12:13 PM

The prices he gave me are $8500.00 for the 350sd and $13500.00 for the e300d. The bulge was there when I saw it in person, and then last night when I got home I looked at the pic's again a saw it there as well.

I know the mileage isn't that big of a jump on the 350sd, I have been told they would both get close to 30mpg highway, any truth to that?

Hatterasguy · #9 10-12-2004, 12:25 PM

A bulge what caused that? Run a carefax on both. Frankly I don't trust dealers and hate buying cars from them.

The E300D will probably get low 30's on the highway. The 350SD would probably be high 20s to maybe 30 if you keep the speed down.

Scott98 · #10 10-12-2004, 12:27 PM

I got 34 mpg in my '97 E300D.

Scott

Plantman · #11 10-12-2004, 01:15 PM

I am curious how the manufacturers get their MPG figures.

YOu guys are posting in the mid 40's for MPG and the window sticker on 2004 Jetta's claim 28 -34 I think. I went to go see them a few months back and am pretty sure of the numbers.

?????????

Sorry, I was thinking about the Passat.

Jetta sticker says 38/46 oooops!

wood_n_soldier · #12 10-12-2004, 01:21 PM

I agree with you about hating the dealers, I worked in used car sales for a few months and could not believe the lies and run around they would give people. I had to quit.

The car fax report for both cars is available as a link from their ebay page. They "appear" clean but who knows. -- It's frustration as all get out.

Rick Miley · #13 10-12-2004, 01:38 PM

I say pass on both and keep looking. That is unless they can prove the 3.5 engine was either replaced or rebuilt by a reputable shop.

My E300 get about 30 mpg in mixed driving, and the Jetta gets 42-45. A/C runs constantly in both cars.

wood_n_soldier · #14 10-12-2004, 02:28 PM

the NADA value of the e300d is only $11725.00
I expected it to be more than the blue book value, between $13000.00 - $14000.00? that's all really I just thought it was interesting.

#15 10-12-2004, 02:38 PM

Can't speak about the E300D cause I have no experience with one. I have a 1990 350SDL. It has 155,000 miles. I am 2nd owner and have owned it for only the past 6,000 miles. Impressions are that it is built like a bank vault. I have averaged about 28.5 MPG. My daily trip is 40miles of mostly highway. Has lots of power and very smooth. IP pump was bad when I bought the car. I would run a compression test, bit of a bother, but that should help in checking engine health. Also oil usage is a good indicator. If the 350 that you are considering is a good one, you will have a very satisfying car to drive. I would bring either car to a qualified technician that has lots of experience for an opinion.
Regards,
Andre