Is 1997 E320 a good car to buy? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

slikkemeg · #1 01-03-2007, 02:20 AM

Hello All,

I would to get the your advice regarding 1997 E320, with 110k miles. Is the 1997 E320 a good car?This car for my wife, and I'm looking for something reliable. I already have 2 300E (1988, 1989) and I love them, but the wife wants a new car. Based on ready this forum, I do go after MY1995.

Thanks alot for taking the time to respond.

Jim B. · #2 01-03-2007, 02:33 AM

From what I've read here, there is a world of difference between the W124 (which you drive) and the W210 which you are contemplating, the W210 is the first of the E class on a downward slide of build quality that began plaguing Mercedes in the late/mid nineties.

Read the "Spring Perch Failure" thread on tech forum for starters.

These cars are very nice to drive when all is right with them, and they are very roomy too, but the quality just isn't there like it was in the earlier cars.

If you must have one, check it carefully for rust, books and records, and a PPI by a good Mercedes mechanic is essential.

gmercoleza · #3 01-03-2007, 09:08 AM

HVAC system on the W210 is also more complex than the simpler W124. For that matter, there are much more electronics on the W210, making it a more complex vehicle which sometimes requires professional equipment in order to perform repairs. In some respects it is less DIY-friendly.

Parrot of Doom · #4 01-03-2007, 09:15 AM

Bear in mind the two vehicles share many of the same components, but the general feeling is that while the W210 is technically a superior vehicle, it may not be quite so well put together as the W124.

nhdoc · #5 01-03-2007, 09:17 AM

You can consider it if you are a fairly competent DIY'er or if you buy it with a warranty to cover it for the period you plan to own it...short of that you will probably spend over $1000 per year keeping it in order because these are not cheap cars to repair and they are not known to be overly reliable.

RLGDiesel · #6 01-03-2007, 11:04 AM

I have owned several 124 and 210 cars (88 300E, 94 E320 and 97 E420 previously, 95 E320, 98 E300, 99 E320 wagon, 01 E320 currently), and I feel that all Mercedes require expensive maintenance and repairs. Although the 124's panel fitment and interior components are superior to the 210, each car will require some TLC. For starters, I have had the wiring harness, evaporator, and smog pump (all over $1000 repairs) on my 94 and 95 E320s. On the other hand, my 01 needed catalytic converters replaced at 10,000 miles, my 99 needed complete HVAC compressor replacement, and my 97 needed SRS module repairs; all cars needed the MAF replaced.

Just like any other sophisticated automobile, Mercedes are loaded with technological systems that are bound to malfunction. If you don't mind putting up with these annoyances or paying extra for a late model 210 under Starmark, the ride quality, handling, and powertrain are unsurpassed. Despite comments that the 124 was the last "overengineered Benz," I am astounded at the layout of the 210, especially the fact that my back window refuses to get wet in the heaviest of downpours on the highways...that's aerodynamics.

Just my $0.02...the 210 are, in my opinion, some of the most enjoyable Benzes to drive. Welcome to the forum!

Will_w202 · #7 01-03-2007, 11:06 AM

I think the 97 is a nice buy. It's the last year they had the inline-6, which was arguably the best modern motor MB made.

A 124 is a better-built car with a better track record overall, but let's face it - the newest one is 13 years old now, and you're going to spend $1000 a year on either a 124 or a 210 now.

If you have the car checked by a GOOD indie shop or the dealer, and you can verify VMI/service history, including (very important) trans fluid changes at least every 60k, I'd go for it - for the right price of course

And I just realized RLG was responding at the same time - and took the words out of my.......fingers

amg280 · #8 01-03-2007, 11:27 AM

Having owned both, I would say run away from the 210. Have a 2001 E320 in the fam, and is the biggest pile of garbage I have ever seen MB make. Not to mention it is rusting out completely, at the young age of 45K. Get a late model V8 124 and never look back. Just my 2 cents.

Ed Richardson · #9 01-03-2007, 12:21 PM

I have owned two 124's, and now own two 210's. I have liked them all. Yes they all have had some problems, but were all worked out under warranty. The only major problem with my '97 was the electronic transmission. There was an update around '99 or 2000 that included a new control module. MB replaced that. Otherwise it is still a great car.
Starmark warranty would not be available. Try to get all the service records and do a carfax check. If it was serviced by MB you can get a computer read print out of all service.
Ed

Ocean View · #10 01-03-2007, 12:51 PM

I think this is a case by case situation. Some cars will have more problems than others. I am sure that was the same as on the W124.
Each model has its "common" problems. W124 has the headgasket and bad wiring harness problems. W210 has some rust problems.
My 96 W210 has the same M104 engine as the 97 and its been a solid perormer. I don't have any rust problems. Someone mentioned HVAC and electrical problems on this model but I don't think those are common problems. Some of the latter years 98-2002 have the Harmonic Balancer problems.

Take the car to a Mercedes mechanic and get it checked out before you buy.
Thats the best advice anyone can give you.

amg280 · #11 01-03-2007, 02:01 PM

Well, speaking from experience, I will elaborate on some of the problems on our 2001 E320, currently with 60K on it. Had since 19K.

1. Steering rack replaced twice, due to squeeky steering. Car is doing again now for the 3rd time.

2. Front pipe (with cats) replaced due to a clamp breaking. Currently just started rattling.

3. engine oil consumption. Have to add on average 2 to 3 quarts in between oil changes. Dealer says this is "normal" for the M112 v6 engine. (class action lawsuit decision)

4. drivers heated seat no longer works, short in seat pad im sure.

5. Trunk and doors repainted TWICE under warranty due to corrosion problems. Currently, the trunk is rusting out again at key hole.

6. Leaky diff.

7. Window regulators are riveted in to reduce assembly line costs. Can be a pain in the a$$ for the shade tree mechanic.

etc..etc...

Everything on this car feels "cheap" in comparison to my 92 400E. My car has 175K on it and doesnt miss a beat. My mom trys to trade me all the time. Im like hell no, I dont want that thing. To each his own I guess. Both will have repair costs, thats murphys law. But to me, the W124 feels alot more like a mercedes than the W210. To me, thats a fact. To others, thats just an opinion. Im still waiting to see how the W211 long term reliability is, particularly the new E550 4matic. Only time will tell.

suginami · #12 01-03-2007, 06:50 PM

I think rust is a regional issue.

My neighbor has been a technician at Penske Mercedes in Covina, CA, and he has told me has never seen a W210 with rust. Not one. Ever.

Will_w202 · #13 01-03-2007, 09:18 PM

I would agree with Suginami. One area where the 124 IS better, definitively, is in the finish. All the cars introduced as new models after 1995 do no have the same durable finish. My w202 simply does not have rust, and though it has lived in GA and NC its whole life, I do get rock chips, and the bare metal that is exposed simply WILL NOT RUST.

My aunt has a 2003 C-coupe. Hers chips, and RUSTS. Brown as ever. I think they must have gone to some "environmentally-friendly" crap in the mid-90s, and what applies to the paint finish I'm sure applies to any other area of rustproofing

amg280 · #14 01-03-2007, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

I think rust is a regional issue.

My neighbor has been a technician at Penske Mercedes in Covina, CA, and he has told me has never seen a W210 with rust. Not one. Ever.

Well your car isnt exposed to road salt like the vehicles here in NY. It is a regional issue. My service advisor has a book of names of extremely angry people whos late model mercedes' are rusting out right in front of them, specifically W208 (clk), W220(2000 Sclass) and ofcourse the infinite E-class W210. The W220's are a nightmare he tells me, with the average cost of corrosion repairs nearing the 5K mark, all of which MB is paying full or 50% (goodwill).

Ive had a few W124's in which they have always been exposed to the road salt here, year after year, yet they never rusted. The vast majority of them I see on the road here have rust free bodies. There is no doubt (to me anyways) that the quality of MB was both paramount and evident in the W124 cars. Engineered to a standard, not a price. If you look under the chassis of my 400E with 170K, there is no corrosion on any component, bolt or fastener. Look under the 2001 E320, and it looks like a chevy. I had to have the rear brakes professionally done because the pins were rusted to the calipers.

This may mean nothing to any potential W210 buyer that doesnt live in the northeast snow belt. But for those of you that do, I would take what I said into consideration, and do your research. You will find alot of story's very similer to mine, right from technicians themselves.

gmercoleza · #15 01-03-2007, 11:25 PM

The rust explanation is simple - the W124 has galvanized sheet metal while the W210 does not. I too have a couple rock chips with exposed metal. They have been that way for a while and no rust forms on them due to the sacrificial ions from the galvanizing dip.

Do a search here on the forum, there was a W210 owner who did not live in the rust belt (I think he was in SoCal) and washed/waxed his car religiously. He discovered all the doors rusting around the weatherstrips and had to have all of them replaced by the dealer (goodwill). Yikes!