1998 E320 Avantgarde - common faults?

[Cheesysocks]

Hi all.

I'm new here as I'm about to go and buy my first Mercedes. As above, it's an E320, 1998 in avantgarde trim. BUT it's a high miler at 143,000 miles.

Also, it has little remaining MOT but is selling for a song at £2.5k. Owner claims it'll sail through an MOT but as he's been banned (he says) he can't get it to a test station.

Hmmmmm. Sure.

But I want to know what to look out for before I hand over any cash. It just could be a bargain.

OF COURSE I'll take it for a test drive and give it a good look over. I've already HPI'd it and had a positive result, all good.

The DVLA website shows no problems either.

So, Auto box failing? Worn this that and the other? Thanks for any hints folks.

Mike.

 

[jberks]

Service history is all. Looked after, 143k is nothing. Not looked after and 80k can be fatal.
Aside from that, yes, auto box oil and filters needed doing 60k ago if they haven't been done (not on th official schedule).

The key on that model is rust really. Lots on the subject on here so I won't go back into it, just do a search.

 

[Hibbo]

Rust rust rust!

MOT it before you buy it!

 

[gworilla]

Get the car independently assessed and ask them before they start to pull no punches and to highlight everything possible. But yes, beware of the dreaded rust!!

There are plenty of people doing car assessments so the choice is huge and the quality of the assessors can vary, much like buying a car in that there are good ones and bad ones...

 

[BlackC55]

Where do you live?

 

[robs-mbz]

Please, please, please get the front spring top mounts checked out THOROUGHLY for rust, even if they look ok at first glance, try to peel back some of the seam sealent and prepare yourself for the worst! There are plenty of posts on this and other Mercedes forums on the topic with some real horror stories! Having said that, if they show some corrosion and the rest of the car is A1 then dont be too put off, replacements are available from the main dealers for around £30 the pair, I replaced mine myself but any competent welder would be able to do the repair, the biggest job is dismantling the suspension to gain access, nothing difficult, just time consuming. Dont worry about the milage, if the car has been looked after with regular servicing then it will still run like a new one. A well sorted W210 is a lovely car to drive and to own.

Good Luck!

 

[hawk20]

Say you will drive it to the MOT for him -but make sure you are insured for his car. Don't buy till it has passed. Around 1999, I think, the 30 year rust guarantee came out so if his fails look for a newer one but with FullMBSH so the rust guarantee is intact.

From 2003 they are fully galvanised.

 

[sidmon]

I am in the same boat. I'm considering a T5 Volvo, Ford Mondeo (don't laugh! they seem excellent) or W124/W1210 estate for a trip through europe in August. I see the 320 is chain driven (I presume breakages are uncommon). Are things like diffs and rear suspension self levelling systems common failure points?

 

[sidmon]

No advice guys? If its any help the vehicle I'm looking at is a '98 R plate 320 AvantGarde with just over 100k. I've not viewed yet on the basis of wanting to be in the know before going...it's got 5 stamps in the service book so doesn't sound like a FSH....although I may be wrong reading about the service indicators on these models.

 

[jberks]

If it's been looked after, then 100k is run in. If not, it ..who knows.
Maintanined properly 250k isn't unreasonable.
Make sure yearbox and diff oil has been done and check for rust.

 

[hawk20]

I would want Full MBSH so the 30 year rust guarantee was in place and the free breakdown service which is worth £150 p.a for a couple from the AA, and another £100 if you want some trips to Europe to be covered. I think you are more likely to get a good car too if it has fulMBSH. Think all this came in around 1999.

 

[wgriffiths]

common faults on w210 cdi

suspension springs breaking
rear flexible brake hoses cracking
rust around boot lock /front subframe/wheel arches
corroshion gear box cooler pipes
rear diff seals leaking
gearbox guide bush leaking big problem if left
catalysts blocking
glowplugs
front ball joints
lower wishbone bushes
tyre wear due to misalighnment of caster camber front
steering drag link on high milage cars
heater box drain blocks if not cleaned out can leak into car
alternator pully shears very expensive as they are water cooled
check ac as condenser is easy stone chipped resulting in loss of gas
rear subframe bushes loud clunk from rear when moving away fast
rear tail light plastic melts round circuit board
srs lamp passenger seat recognition pad
these are the most common faults but most are wear and tear

 

[hawk20]

Personally I would read the sticky on Blobcats 109,000 miles in an E 320cdi to get a fairer picture.

 

[sidmon]

Whats this I hear about auto transmissions being sealed for life like the BMW ones.....yet we all know fluid changes are essential. Are those 5 speed autos durable enough?

 

[hawk20]

Whats this I hear about auto transmissions being sealed for life like the BMW ones.....yet we all know fluid changes are essential. Are those 5 speed autos durable enough?

Very durable. Many threads report mega miles. But changing the fluid appears to be back in style again!

 

[jberks]

Whats this I hear about auto transmissions being sealed for life like the BMW ones.....yet we all know fluid changes are essential. Are those 5 speed autos durable enough?

Yup Sealed for life. Sadly that life can be 100k if it's a town car with lots of gear changes! As Hawk says, lots have done fine, but equally, lots haven't.
As a result, MB now say every 3 years / 50k I believe. I've just had mine done on the dealer's recommendation and that's at 2.5 yrs/47k and it's the same 5 speed box. They also replaced an oil seal that's prone and can kill the electronics in extreme cases.

Ignore the rules and change the oil.

 

[hawk20]

The most durable Merc gearbox I have come across on various forums, was a G wagon that had done 650,000 miles on the original engine. I asked the owner how long the auto box lasted and he said 500,000 miles. Sorry I cannot remember the thread.

My nephew has a 230 E class from about 1990 and it has done about 190,000 so far and the auto is still fine.

 

[AnthUK]

My E220 CDI has about 190,000 miles on it and drives like new. The auto box shifts perfectly. Only prob has been the injectors. Replaced 3 of 4 recently!