The Merits or otherwise of the W210

[Charles Morgan]

My personal trainer was discussing secondhand cars with me. His father in law had bought him a Daewoo as a wedding present and now it is clapped out he can safely dispose of it, while the needs of a growing family require more space (2 toddlers and a baby due imminently). He has always liked my W124 but doesn't want a mechanically risky car ( having heard about my Cylinder head gasket and loom ). I suggested a W124 300d multivalve with the rear seats. There aren't many of them about and he has already noticed that W210 diesel estates are more plentiful.

Now I am aware that they rust, (so does the W124) but what issues (if any) would come up on a 300td or an earlier 320 cdi (I sold him the idea of the multivalve engine on the basis that it would probably last forever, something I am not sure about with a cdi).

He is German and could also get the LHD 300td W124. Budget up to £6k, but would prefer to spend less.

Advice welcome.

Any equivalents of Nick Froome for the W210?

 

[jaymanek]

The W210 is a good practical car and plenty around. The 320 CDI is not an expensive engine to look after usually but a lot more rewarding than the eariler 300. Better economy too.

The problem is RUST! the body, spring perches etc. It cant be ignored.

I would go for the LHD W124 if i were him, plenty on the continent in the 300D form and it will hold its value.

 

[renault12ts]

As above. Find a rust free 320cdi...magic car.

 

[sportyreptile]

I had this conversation with my Indy Garage bloke before buying the E36 (yes I considered a diesel for about 10 minutes until I saw and drove the 3.6 petrol), he recommended the 300 Turbodiesel over the 320cdi claiming the cdi engine can get expensive to service especially if you get injectors or diesel pump failure although he conceded that cdi has plenty of punch for a diesel. In his words the 300td will go to the moon and back again if looked after properly and is a cheaper car to run and makes a great family wagon. look out for failed glow plugs.
The usual rust caveats apply including front subframe and wear in the suspension joints and bushes.

 

[nick mercedes]

My personal trainer

What's he training you to do?

Now I am aware that they rust, (so does the W124) but what issues (if any) would come up on a 300td or an earlier 320 cdi

Any clean 300TD will be a safe bet, they're not all rusty and are pretty cheap now, - drive well too - in fact finding a rust free 124 these days is becoming mission impossible...

 

[Charles Morgan]

He pretends to get me to exercise and diet, and I pretend to do so...

He got me out last December in -10 deg so he must be into hypnosis or something.

 

[nick mercedes]

He got me out last December in -10 deg so he must be into hypnosis or something.

Having a German fitness freak barking out orders might be one answer...

 

[Charles Morgan]

Ah yes, ve have vays. After the success of British Military Fitness (a bunch of people called Tarquin and Tamara get shouted at by ex army fitness instructors, the former I suspect enjoying it as it reminds them of prep school, without the jockstrap inspections, the latter as they have always fancied a bit of rough), he thought of introducing one better - the Waffen SS military fitness, but gave up when he thought of the likely clientele.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

My Dads good friend bought a W210 E300TD brand new in 1996, sold it in 2006 and still regrets selling it now.
Rust around the bootlid lock, other than that- no problem whatsoever. He would regularly drive to his villa in Spain and not think twice.

You would think that he was ripe to become loyal to Mercedes after 10 years of trouble-free motoring, but for reasons only known to himself, he replaced it with a petrol V6 Jaguar S-Type. You can imagine what followed that purchase.....

 

[Charles Morgan]

My Dads good friend bought a W210 E300TD brand new in 1996, sold it in 2006 and still regrets selling it now.
Rust around the bootlid lock, other than that- no problem whatsoever. He would regularly drive to his villa in Spain and not think twice.

You would think that he was ripe to become loyal to Mercedes after 10 years of trouble-free motoring, but for reasons only known to himself, he replaced it with a petrol V6 Jaguar S-Type. You can imagine what followed that purchase.....

He joined the government and got his revenge by buying trains from Siemens?

Never liked the S type.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

He joined the government and got his revenge by buying trains from Siemens?

Never liked the S type.

In the 3 years after he had that S-Type, an Audi S8, a BMW 750 and has now had a W211 E63 AMG for the last 2 years.....

 

[renault12ts]

...he made his money up to 2006, and has been spending it since.

 

[Dieselman]

Both 300TD and 320Cdi will rust, but mechanically the 300TD is far stronger, I also think facelift W210 can be more prone to rust than pre-facelift ones.

 

[BenzedUP]

mechanically the 300TD is far stronger, I also think facelift W210 can be more prone to rust than pre-facelift ones.

How? Why? can you explain please...

 

[Dieselman]

Why?

Which bit are you referring to?

 

[markjay]

Both 300TD and 320Cdi will rust, but mechanically the 300TD is far stronger, I also think facelift W210 can be more prone to rust than pre-facelift ones.

I am assuming you mean that the pre-DaimlerChrysler cars - i.e. 1995-1998 - did not suffer from the notorious cost-cutting measures applied at the time, so don't rust as badly?

 

[Dieselman]

The OM606 engine and fuel injection system is very robust and rarely go wrong, Cdi engine and fuel systems go wrong far more often and cost a lot more to fix.

 

[312 Sprinter]

I wouldn't touch an early CDI with the proverbial barge pole. Actually that's a lie, I did, and I rued the decision. There are too many issues with the W210, apart from rust there are lots and lots of electrical niggles.

I quite like the C250 estate.

Bang for the buck, he's going to get a lot more Volvo for his money than he will Mercedes.

 

[Benzowner]

I don't think all W210 rust the same. My 1997 300 Estate had minor surface rust under the door rubbers and a bit on the wheel arches. Total repair cost £300. Later the front chasis cross member rusted and had to be replaced £250.00, neither job done by main dealer. I sold the car 5 years ago, but see the car on a monthly basis and it still looks good. Have a good look around, there are some stunning examples out there virtually rust free.

 

[st4]

I wouldn't touch an early CDI with the proverbial barge pole. Actually that's a lie, I did, and I rued the decision. There are too many issues with the W210, apart from rust there are lots and lots of electrical niggles.

I quite like the C250 estate.

Bang for the buck, he's going to get a lot more Volvo for his money than he will Mercedes.

What about a 525 TD thing, E39. Good cars. Cheaper than a 210. Agree however the money will be a nice non rusty, if slightly dull and dour, Volvo V70.