W210 - 1997 E300 Diesel Really that bad? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jnyost · #1 08-23-2006, 06:55 PM

I'm looking at buying a 1997 E300 diesel. Is this model really that bad???

I like the looks of the newer models and would like a diesel.

Thanks
Jared

Volvo Diesel · #2 08-23-2006, 07:15 PM

Jared,

My impression is that these are good cars, preferable to the W140's with the 3.5L diesel. I know the W210s have considerably more electronic devices than the older models (123/124/126), which basically translates into more expensive repairs to make to those fancy gadgets. However, I know many folks who really like the styling, and have an overall good impression of the car. My ex-girlfriend owns a '98 E320 gasser, and it has been an excellent and trouble free car (even the electronics) for 170k+...even survived my filling it w/ diesel once (THAT was a fun Christmas eve). So, if you can afford to fix what breaks, and you like the looks, I'd go for it. I don't know how amenable this car is to working on under a tree in the front yard, though...but I bet some folks here do all their own work on their W210s. I *think* the W210 is the model that has issues w/ rust in the spring perches; you might be well-advised to do a search on that topic, especially if you live in an area where rust is an issue. FWIW, I've always thought the W210 was a classy looking car.... As usual, I'm sure someone who knows more than I will have more insight for you.

Good luck, -Chris

jnyost · #3 08-23-2006, 09:30 PM

Thanks Chris. I just sold my BMW so high maintenance costs are something I've become used to. I hated getting rid of it but I love diesels so much I wanted to try and find a car with one. I thought about a VW TDI but the Jetta and Golf are small and lack some of the refinement I was used to with my bimmer. I live in central ohio so I do get snow although I'm not sure if I'll drive the car or my excursion. I always garaged my bimmer and will probably do the same with the MB. I appreciate your input and hope others will chime in...

Thanks!
Jared

snp8990 · #4 08-23-2006, 09:52 PM

I loved my 1999 E300TD.Wonderful car,I used it as my daily driver car and it was wonderful.I really regret selling it.

POS · #5 08-23-2006, 09:54 PM

The earlier 210s had electrical issues, but I've always said that if something happened to my w124 diesel, I'd immediately chase a '99 w210.

F18 · #6 08-23-2006, 10:05 PM

Jared,
I just finished putting just a hair less than 30,000miles on this 98 E-300TD since I purchase it last October 05. Maintenance was no more than any other modern vehicle. Did I do some minor repairs....yes!.....but the car is 8 going on 9 years old...the repairs were nothing alarming. The car now has 145K miles ......I travel all over New England in it for business...winter ice & snow, rain you name it. Its not pampered...its not even garaged and it hasn't let me down yet. It does benefit from a set of winter tires for snowy driving. My 84 SD and 87 SD seemed to handle winter conditions better with just All-Season Tires (those models seemed to be balanced different front to
back)
I like the performance and especially the economy. When I drive "nice" on long highway trips I get almost 35mpg.....how many heavy 4 door sedans can claim that? And its a 8 year old vehicle that I would not think twice about jumping into on the spur of the moment and driving cross country to the left coast....because in spite of its age its more reliable and stable than half the new cars that are on the road

sokoloff · #7 08-24-2006, 07:20 AM

I do all the service on mine and once I got a few little things taken care of and one or two bigger things, it has been a very nice car and is very inexpensive to operate. A and B services can be done DIY for well under $100. Other than tires which it does seem to go through faster than I would like, I have not spent $100 on the car yet this year for maintenance.

Len

sokoloff · #8 08-24-2006, 07:20 AM

Forgot to say - it's a '99 E300TD with 95,000 miles.

Len

#9 08-24-2006, 07:44 AM

At 73,000miles my 1999 E300 has been an unreliable car, but a reliable money pit.

markg612 · #10 08-24-2006, 12:40 PM

The only major structural issue is the perches ripping loose, and some early vehicles seem to suffer from corrosion issues noted frequently in these postings.

I totally disagree with the 140 thumbs down. The 140 was the last engineering controlled car. Many of my 140 owning friends that moved forward into the newer S class that followed discovered how, usually too late that the 140 was the be all end all S class hands down. I like smaller cars, but if that was not my issue, I would prefer the 140 over every model except all but the 124 and only marginally at that. The 210 was the beginning of the mass market mentally of the new Mercedes management, i.e., Jurgan buddy. The 140 is a venerable chassis and the 603.970 is SOHC and excellent engine, Turbocharged as well. The 606 in the E300s from 95-97 is an aspirated DOHC OM603.

I own a 124 E300D (95) and while the chassis is with out a doubt an engineering marvel, I miss the turbo, and the 210 E300D without turbo 96-97 is slightly heavier and more zip-less, but it will still cruise 80 MPH all day long, it just isn't much on passing or getting to 80 in a big hurry, although it's acceptable if you never knew a turbo.

One might look at a 2004-2006 Passat TDI. Hummmm. I think the 04 is the best choice of the 3 as it was sill based on the A4/A6 chassis. the 05/06 is Jetta based. The Passat would give you the upgrade over the Jetta and still give you zip AND comfort. It comes with a 2.0L turbo TDI, an outgrowth of the proven 1.9L TDI installed in about a cajillion VW vehicles world wide in as many VW brands and models.

DieselAddict · #11 08-24-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markg612

The 140 is a venerable chassis and the 603.970 is SOHC and excellent engine, Turbocharged as well.

I thought the 3.5L diesels were rod-benders.

Brian Carlton · #12 08-24-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markg612

The 140 is a venerable chassis and the 603.970 is SOHC and excellent engine..........

Clearly you are mistaken.

The 603.970 is an bored and stroked derivative of the 603.961 engine and it suffers from several maladies including the propensity to bend a connecting rod, and, once the owner suffers this setback, he's unable to rebuild the engine because the block has no sleeves. There is insufficient material between the cylinders to even consider reboring them.

This engine is probably the worst engine ever produced by Mercedes-Benz.

vstech · #13 08-24-2006, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Clearly you are mistaken.

The 603.970 is an bored and stroked derivative of the 603.961 engine and it suffers from several maladies including the propensity to bend a connecting rod, and, once the owner suffers this setback, he's unable to rebuild the engine because the block has no sleeves. There is insufficient material between the cylinders to even consider reboring them.

This engine is probably the worst engine ever produced by Mercedes-Benz.

I was under the impression that the motor only failed under problematic circumstances. yes, it is nearly impossible to rebuild once it fails, but prevention should keep it running strong. and this nice car should be available cheap due to the "rodbender" reputation.
John

F18 · #14 08-24-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncof300d

At 73,000miles my 1999 E300 has been an unreliable car, but a reliable money pit.

Man...let ET upstairs remove the curse on your E-300. I feel your pain....I have read your previous posts. All those problems with only 73,000miles....you got yourself a "lemon". Lemons do occur even with Mercedes.
Been there years ago with a Maserati Bi-Turbo......everytime you look at it you just see a "black hole" that your finances dissapear into.
You need to break free....dump the car and buy another. Just like a divorce...it will be much better the second time around..you hope!

markg612 · #15 08-24-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I was under the impression that the motor only failed under problematic circumstances. yes, it is nearly impossible to rebuild once it fails, but prevention should keep it running strong. and this nice car should be available cheap due to the "rodbender" reputation.
John

CLEARLY I AGREE AS WELL, yes it bends rods, and 603.960s crack heads like crazy, but in both cases, It has a huge propensity to be owner related. Well maintained 603.960s and 970s do just fine with a little bit of common sense and care.