Used Mercedes Questions

BigBody79

BigBody79

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Location
Lumberton
I am thinking of buying a used Mercedes to wear out between home and work.

I currently have a Honda Accord Coupe V6/6sd. I get 25mpg.

I am looking at getting a diesel E Class. I'm sure I'll be getting around 28-30mpg

I realize that the small difference in gas milage will not pay for another car. I reality I am looking to lower my car payment. The problem lies with the Mercedes I would have to get. I am thinking a late 90's (1998/1999) model would fit well within my new budget.

I figured if I could get one with less than 175,000 on the clock i could get some good miles out of it. Most I have seen have between 225,000 and 300,000. I doubt I'll keep it for more than 75K.

So I guess the question is what do I need to be on the look out for on these used cars? Any one thing inparticular that will/can go wrong with them. Are parts any more difficult to find?

I suppose I'm just looking for your opinions.
 
On the 98/99 e300d...problems are: delivery valve orings leak along with the fuel line orings (thanks to low sulfer fuel). About $600 to cure the problem, if the car has more than 100k on it, my guess would be the problem is fixed, check for fuel smell when opening the hood. The blower speed control for the climate control system will fail and need an updated part which calls for not only replacing the resistor but also the blower motor, again...if it's got some miles on it , it's probably been fixed. Pixels in the cluster display will fade over time, again if it's got miles on it, it's either done it and not been fixed or already been fixed. Glow plugs can seize in the cylinder head and if someone isn't familiar with this issue it can be costly to repair (removing the head)...it can be repaired with the right tools(without pulling the head), but not if someone fubar's it to start with. There is a conductor plate coupling on the side of the transmission that will leak...less than $100 to fix, but if it the level gets too low it can also cause the conductor plate in the transmission to need replacement, about $500. That's about it..otherwise expect to get somewhere in the 500-600k range out of the engine before any major work needs to be done. I work on a dozen or so that all have close to 300k and one that has 710k without ever requiring internal engine repair. They are damn good cars, expect from 30mpg city to close to 40mpg on the highway. If you find one you like get it checked out before you buy, it could save you lots of $$$$$ down the road, we do it at our shop for FREE!!
 
BIGWOODY said:
On the 98/99 e300d...problems are: delivery valve orings leak along with the fuel line orings (thanks to low sulfer fuel). About $600 to cure the problem, if the car has more than 100k on it, my guess would be the problem is fixed, check for fuel smell when opening the hood. The blower speed control for the climate control system will fail and need an updated part which calls for not only replacing the resistor but also the blower motor, again...if it's got some miles on it , it's probably been fixed. Pixels in the cluster display will fade over time, again if it's got miles on it, it's either done it and not been fixed or already been fixed. Glow plugs can seize in the cylinder head and if someone isn't familiar with this issue it can be costly to repair (removing the head)...it can be repaired with the right tools(without pulling the head), but not if someone fubar's it to start with. There is a conductor plate coupling on the side of the transmission that will leak...less than $100 to fix, but if it the level gets too low it can also cause the conductor plate in the transmission to need replacement, about $500. That's about it..otherwise expect to get somewhere in the 500-600k range out of the engine before any major work needs to be done. I work on a dozen or so that all have close to 300k and one that has 710k without ever requiring internal engine repair. They are damn good cars, expect from 30mpg city to close to 40mpg on the highway. If you find one you like get it checked out before you buy, it could save you lots of $$$$$ down the road, we do it at our shop for FREE!!
Click to expand...

Do you sell them or just work on them?
 
keep in mind also, 25mpg gas (at ~ 2.70) is .108 per mile...35mpg diesel (at ~3.60) is .102 per mile.
 
I bought a diesel Passat for the mileage and have been absolutely thrilled with it. Diesel is typically about 25 cents higher than regular, but my car gets 40+mpg pretty much everywhere, so it definitely makes up the difference.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I doubt I could find a car that big that gets the same milage in town or on the highway. I just want something bigger than my 2dr accord.
 
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