E300 DT - Sensible?

[Mercv8]

I need a more sensible vehicle so was thinking of getting a used E300 DT as a runaround.

Are these generally reliable even with over 100k on the clock?

MV8.

 

[230K]

Yes very reliable. Just watch for rust.

230k

 

[Mercv8]

Great.

Any other Turbo diesel i should consider?

 

[television]

yes there are plenty out there and they seem to go horrendous mileages,, comfortable as well

 

[vijilants]

Great.

Any other Turbo diesel i should consider?

The w210 E300TD is a very comfortable car to drive....Ive owned one.

For such a big car, they pull very well and are good on diesel.

As long as there is no serious rust, they are a good buy.

They do tend to suffer from the front suspension bushes / ball joints wearing and causing the suspension to clonk, but this is a common problem and easy to rectify.

 

[Mercv8]

Im supposed to be viewing one.

Its a Silver 1999 Avantgarde DT with 124k full service history and 11 Months MOT, He wants £4,000 but said he will take an offer.

So was ganna offer him somewhere in the region of £3,000 see what he says.

It has some bubbling on the wing he said, and a little bit of rust on the boot lid. - Is this ok?

 

[vijilants]

Im supposed to be viewing one.

Its a Silver 1999 Avantgarde DT with 124k full service history and 11 Months MOT, He wants £4,000 but said he will take an offer.

So was ganna offer him somewhere in the region of £3,000 see what he says.

It has some bubbling on the wing he said, and a little bit of rust on the boot lid. - Is this ok?

Yep...thats normal....so are the door frames under the rubbers and the more serious stuff appears below on the cross members etc.

 

[ibrar]

Very reliable.......rust issue!

Anything around £3200 and your laughing

 

[Mercv8]

Very reliable.......rust issue!

Anything around £3200 and your laughing

Thats what i was hoping for

Will update with how i get on.

 

[Vlad]

Very reliable.......rust issue!

Anything around £3200 and your laughing

If you get it for that you will be laughing as you cant buy them that cheap even down at the auctions

 

[Mercv8]

Just had a thought, are the E320 CDI better then the E300 TD?

Was going to go view this one, but not sure if i should hold out for a decent E320 CDI and pay abit more?

 

[Vlad]

Just my opinion, but for long term ownership, the 300TD is cheaper to run and maintain. The CDi models, can suffer from Injector seals failing etc and they are expensive to replace @ £175+vat each, whereas the older TD model is a lower tech engine, but non the worse for that.

Also the CDi model uses more sensors etc etc......don't get me wrong, the CDi engine is a great engine and like the TD model is capable of covering huge mileages, but as I say in terms of long term ownership and running costs the TD is a cheaper car to run.

As a slight aside the TD will run on a Veg Oil mix, whereas the more finely tuned CDi model will not/not recommended

 

[Mercv8]

I got him down to £3,200.

But never bought it in the end. I wanted it for £3,000.

It had alot of corrosion on three alloys. Which was disapointing as i said to him, as he never informed me of this.

Otherwise it seemed nice.

 

[Seamster15]

I got him down to £3,200.

But never bought it in the end. I wanted it for £3,000.

It had alot of corrosion on three alloys. Which was disapointing as i said to him, as he never informed me of this.

Otherwise it seemed nice.

Don't worry about the wheels as they cost peanuts to referb or replace.
Sounds like a decent buy to me, but it makes you ask why the owner was so willing to drop such an amount for a relitivly desirable car?

Call him tommorow and offer 3k cash.....

 

[vijilants]

I got him down to £3,200.

But never bought it in the end. I wanted it for £3,000.

It had alot of corrosion on three alloys. Which was disapointing as i said to him, as he never informed me of this.

Otherwise it seemed nice.

If you really wanted one of these cars and the only problem with this car is corrosion on the alloys and you have turned it down merely for that, I think you have made a mistake

Corrosion on the alloys on these is really trivial.

 

[Mercv8]

makes you ask why the owner was so willing to drop such an amount for a relitivly desirable car?

Thats exactly the thing though.

He has only had it for three months, as he says he has been made redundant and is absolutely gutted to be losing it. He didnt seem hugely convincing to me in all honesty.

If he had the vehicle for a year or so i would have probably handed over 3£3,200 but i couldnt help think there might be an issue with it.

Although it had full service history, however no old MOT reciepts.

Dont know...

I know the alloy thing is trivial, but the way i look at it, is i want to buy an even better one then that one, and i dont mind spending abit extra, say £500 more if it could get me one with the AMG alloys

Anyway why the hell do these cars rust so badly?

 

[Piff]

Anyway why the hell do these cars rust so badly? [/QUOTE]

Accountants!!!!!!

 

[Mercv8]

Ok ive been tempted by a E430 :S

Any reason other then economy that i shouldnt go near the E430?

Are they as reliable? The one ive seen has 110k miles.

 

[Vlad]

At 110k you should have nothing to worry about on a 430....very understressed engine and again capable of huge mileages.

Just check to see if there is a vibration through the pedals at idle or when putting the car into reverse as the engine mounts can go soft. Not a big problem but worth checking. Also check that the autobox is shifting into all gears and kicks down when you want it to.

I'm guessing that your next choice of E Class will be either an E200 or completely the other way E55, seeing as you've gone from a 300td to a 430....lol

 

[Mercv8]

I'm guessing that your next choice of E Class will be either an E200 or completely the other way E55, seeing as you've gone from a 300td to a 430....lol

LOL..

Your not far off mate.

Bloody love my big Mercs too much