Hello,
I recently purchased a 1998 E300TD for the purpose of long distance driving. It fits my criteria and budget.
It has 201k miles on it and has been well kept (interior and exterior). Here's a photo.
Pelicanparts' forums helped when I purchased my first Porsche. I hoping not to need much with this Mercedes, but you might see me ask question or two from time to time.

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Nice one, saving for a nice example as we speak.
Tired of buying jalopies.

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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes. Off all of them and get one good one. All of the money invested into junkers and still having junk yields you a good example.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

if you have somebody work on it and they don't specialize in old mb then yes they can be expensive.


if you do your own work they are actually cheap (not as cheap as certain japanese or us cars/trucks but still reasonable)

Thanks FoG, Chris and Jake,
The car is in good shape. I'll upload some more photos soon.
So far, I had an alignment done and resurfaced the head lights.
I've been enjoying the luxurious and comfortable ride and the 220HP.
I still have a few issues:
- passenger window goes off track and I have to push it towards the back to close.
- the head liner near the rear window is flapping in the wind, but still attached at the edges.
- one of the return fuel lines (maybe two) is leaking.

I've put 1,500 miles on the car and am beginning to trust that it is reliable.

500 miles on 20 gallons or 25 mpg with mostly highway distance. Not bad for 3700 lbs of weight.

My DD has been a 98 E300 for a few years now. You will get better mileage if you fix the leak. You did not say whether you are a diy'er or not.

Anyway, replace passenger side window regulator.
Let it flap.
Remove intake manifold and replace all the plastic and rubber fuel lines. It will be a pia to get going upon completion but it will crank once you get all the lines full fuel. While doing lines replace fuel pre-filter and spin on filter. Don't forget o-rings too.

Make sure you always have a spare, good, working key nearby.

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Jim

Is that a wagon? The TD designation indicates a wagon.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Unfortunately no 98 E300 wagons were brought over.

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Jim

Thanks EGW. That's great advice about the key! The PO did the fuel lines just before selling it. However, the one closest to the dash is leaking. I'm tempted to do it myself, but I'm about to get an oil change and some new tires from Goodyear and they can fuss with it. It should be as simple as pushing the hose down.


I just watched a video on changing the window regulator and I'm sure I would break too many clips getting the door panel out and am afraid I couldn't get the panel to fit just right when re-installing it. It might be easier to have them do that to.


I guess the headliner can flap. I was worried about making the ends of the headliner fall out and then all that insulation will start blowing out in the car. I watched some videos and one guy put a silver bar to hold up the headliner. Just screwed and glued it into the insulation.


The PO also did a lot of suspension work so the ride feels new.

I used to be a DIY'er on my 78 Porsche 911SC Targa, but my current living circumstances are not suitable for working on a car. If it becomes necessary, I can make arrangements. This is my first Mercedes. I've had Porsches, BMWs and VWs. I used to race my 911 and an MG Midget. However, this is my first diesel car.

25mpg? that don’t sound right. Should be in the 30-35mpg range city and/or highway.

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1993 e300
1995 e320
1994 e320
2006 s500 4matic
2004 Jeep wj overland
2001 Ducati 748
2004 Honda shadow aero

The one I had never got over 30, about 28 all highway was the best it could do. If you have a shop work on it they will break the intake manifold trying to remove it, because there is one bolt you have to access from underneath.

Good advice, going through a mystery with the key all of the sudden not opening doors and not being recognized in the ignition switch, going to get spendy here in the next week with tow to the mb dealership and crossing my fingers the new $300 key and $70 programming they quoted me works to solve my problem.

The fuel return line closest to the windshield has a slight leak that fills up the cup like area. This will be fixed soon.
I checked fuel mileage again and from the 3/4 line to the 1/4 line on the fuel gage is 10 gallons. I am only getting 25-26 mph with freeway driving, or 250-260 miles between the two fuel gauge lines mentioned.