Hi,
Looking to get a E320 2002 (so face lift model) Estate Diesel. I have just spent the last hour or so reading the forums and truly terrified about this rust issue. ALTHOUGH, there are glimmers of hope and people not having any problems with seemingly getting luck with the right car.
Is the rust a concern on the facelift?
So far I have made the following conclusions before I buy (courtesy of your wonderful forum) Thought it Maybe good to make like a point checklist as a thread for other fools being tempted by this model..
1) Don't touch it without FULL MERC History which is bang up to date. (Obvious, but will prob have consequences should you decide to claim on warranty)
2) Go over the car like an absolute hawk for rust. Search forum for trouble spots..too many to list (yes, that is a worry).
3) Now go back and go over the car and check for more signs of rust.
4) Now go back and go over the car and check for any touch ups or panel alignment issues which shows the car has seen ...rust.
3) Don't stretch yourself to buy it. Save at least 1k back and hold onto until it gets through it's next MOT at least. It WILL cost you money on the first year of owning. Hey, if it doesn't then go have a beer and pat yourself on the back for getting lucky.
4) Avoid buying one with a tow bar. If it has towed a caravan for most of it's life the suspension has had a hard life and problems will come, worse its back end has been used to dump a boat in the water..Not good for a car with rust issues already.
5) Make sure you check every single electrical item. This includes all interior lights (things like the one in the glove box etc.).
6) Don't freak out with higher mileage vehicles. Mechanically if serviced correctly they are really quite good for 1000's of miles. There are lots of posts about this. Just do a search for "my daddy's merc has done more miles than your daddy's merc" or something.
7) Thinking that it is a bad car and then going to research a BMW 5 Touring is a waste of time (as I found out personally). They have even MORE problems.
8) Lot's of people recommend going for the old school W124 with reasons that they were the last "Proper Merc" and "Karl Benz himself approves each one spiritually". Assuming you can handle the less modern look, go for it, but I reckon you will spend just as long looking for a perfect W124 as a W210. Good examples of both versions exist, if you look hard.
9) Make sure you get two keys with it.
10) Join this forum, search your socks off for W210 and share your experiences so that more people can still buy this car against their better judgement but for the love of Mercedes Benz.
Would be great if anyone would like to add to the list or disagree with me!!
Thanks,
Andrew
Looking to get a E320 2002 (so face lift model) Estate Diesel. I have just spent the last hour or so reading the forums and truly terrified about this rust issue. ALTHOUGH, there are glimmers of hope and people not having any problems with seemingly getting luck with the right car.
Is the rust a concern on the facelift?
So far I have made the following conclusions before I buy (courtesy of your wonderful forum) Thought it Maybe good to make like a point checklist as a thread for other fools being tempted by this model..
1) Don't touch it without FULL MERC History which is bang up to date. (Obvious, but will prob have consequences should you decide to claim on warranty)
2) Go over the car like an absolute hawk for rust. Search forum for trouble spots..too many to list (yes, that is a worry).
3) Now go back and go over the car and check for more signs of rust.
4) Now go back and go over the car and check for any touch ups or panel alignment issues which shows the car has seen ...rust.
3) Don't stretch yourself to buy it. Save at least 1k back and hold onto until it gets through it's next MOT at least. It WILL cost you money on the first year of owning. Hey, if it doesn't then go have a beer and pat yourself on the back for getting lucky.
4) Avoid buying one with a tow bar. If it has towed a caravan for most of it's life the suspension has had a hard life and problems will come, worse its back end has been used to dump a boat in the water..Not good for a car with rust issues already.
5) Make sure you check every single electrical item. This includes all interior lights (things like the one in the glove box etc.).
6) Don't freak out with higher mileage vehicles. Mechanically if serviced correctly they are really quite good for 1000's of miles. There are lots of posts about this. Just do a search for "my daddy's merc has done more miles than your daddy's merc" or something.
7) Thinking that it is a bad car and then going to research a BMW 5 Touring is a waste of time (as I found out personally). They have even MORE problems.
8) Lot's of people recommend going for the old school W124 with reasons that they were the last "Proper Merc" and "Karl Benz himself approves each one spiritually". Assuming you can handle the less modern look, go for it, but I reckon you will spend just as long looking for a perfect W124 as a W210. Good examples of both versions exist, if you look hard.
9) Make sure you get two keys with it.
10) Join this forum, search your socks off for W210 and share your experiences so that more people can still buy this car against their better judgement but for the love of Mercedes Benz.
Would be great if anyone would like to add to the list or disagree with me!!
Thanks,
Andrew
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