E220 CDI buying advice

[carnage]

Hi
I am new to these forums and I am interested in buying a 2000/2001 E220 CDI.
I currently drive a 98 honda civic 1.6 dohc vtec saloon and I want to upgrade to something more luxurious and comfortble.My civic is harsh due to full exhaust system,coilover suspension,etc...I do about 300 miles a week.I am now 25 and I want something more refined.I also have a 99 uk spec integra type r. What are the things to look out with these cars?Ideally i'd like one with the amg kit and wheels.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jberks]

Hi,
The key thing to look out for on a 2000/2001 E class is corrosion. I won't go into detail here as there are lots of posts discussing both the causes, locations and remedies.
Basically MB will fix it under certain circumstances and many are not too bad, but almost all suffer to some extent and fore-warned is fore-armed.
Spend an hour or two and do a search on the forum for 210 or E class rust.

 

[joem]

I've just bought a 1999 W210 E220Cdi and it seems pretty good. Mine has 128k on it and a full MB history and one owner.
There are a couple of niggles with it, the thermostat is stuck open (to be replaced at the weekend) and it needs new anti roll bar bushes at the front. (I think they all need that at 100k or so - and maybe lower ball joints as well) Try and find one where it has already been done. If there is no knocking from the front at this age and mileage then you are probably sorted. Ball joints on the way out cause wandering at M/way speed and a creaking noise on full lock. ARB bushes cause constant tap tap knocking sounds at lower speeds on broken road surfaces.
ARB bushes should cost £60 fitted and the ball joints about £150-175 so these can be a good bargaining tool.

The big cost to watch for is diesel injectors - again try to find one that has been done as the cost is about £150 per injector - mine came with a bill for £2000 for this work to have been done so I was glad the first owner had paid for this not me. It has been suggested that these last 100,000 miles or so as well.

As always, cars rust in the wheel arches and around the door tops as well as around the boot lock. Check carefully - MB will probably sort it out on a Mobilo life car with some MB history but look for one already sorted - as mine is.

Finally, if you are aware of the above and work around it you could get a superb car which if looked after will last many hundreds of thousands of miles and is as good as new for a few thousand pounds. (I paid £3500 for mine)

To my mind, the Dusseldorf Taxi is amazing value for money.