Is buying an old S320CDi wise?

[dale555]

Hello all.

I currently have a 96 E230 Elegance, which I love.

I did consider switching to an E Class diesel following a tyre-kicking (I confess!) test drive in a 2001 E320CDi.

However, I have long admired the S320CDi and the early ones have now depreciated to a price range that I am prepared to consider (one of the many, many things I admire about Merc barges is their unfailing depreciation!)

Yes, yes, I'm tight but only because I'm skint(ish).

So I'm wondering if any of you Merc sages have views as to the wisdom of buying an early S320CDi with a budget of £10k.

Would I be buying a serious source of headache or, if I found a well cared-for example with reasonable mileage (whatever that is) on the clock, would I get a few years of cost-effective motorway bliss?

All opinions received with interest and kind regards!

Dale.

 

[Xtractorfan]

Yes I have had one now for 3 years 2001 S320CDI.130k miles . its still growing on me,,
Last year it was for ever playing up.. EGR valve..common fault on all these diesels but easily cleaned and sorted,,air flow meter..MAF.. buy the original about £60 from MB, gearbox ECU.. oil contamination again easily sorted = new seal on the gearnbox electrics.. front lower ball joints for mot .. these do wear about £35 each.. main problem is faults have to be read on a star diagnostic machine.. and the guy on the machine has to be able to look beyond the fault just in case the fault lies elsewhere also fitted new discs and pads, and Im on my second set of tyres. last set of tyres were forever getting punctured bulges and what not (pirelli M&S) got them kinda cheap and I needed them.. the seats are uncomfortable ..grey leather..on a long journey.. but the car drives like a dream..I do all my own serviving using Fuchs oil (expensive I know) and always use the MB filters... I will in between services use other filters if necessary, but always change to the genuine article asap.. I have flushed the engine at 120K using diesel and engine oil mixed.. and my engine sounds and seems much smoother.. gearbox oil and filter changed at 120k as well and again Mb Auto Trans Fluid used.. I intend to change the rear axle oil soon...if you are buying ..try and buy one that was registered before march 01 and you will miss the increased VED (new car tax swindle ) oh and fit a new poly V belt and idler pulley as soon as you get it unless its recently been done .. and you should have years of trouble free motoring ..and kill anyone who puts petrol in it by mistake

 

[Xtractorfan]

And check the bodywork for dreaded rust spots.. they spoil the finish.. best colour silver or black.. and mind your language please there is no such thing as an old S class merc.. previously owned or previous model ..there is one problem with them tho there is nowhere to put ones walking stick.. or so i've been told by a chappie in a pimp mobile ..one of those Bmmwwwayy thingggys

 

[mattsurf]

I saw this car in WDM - in real life it looks stunning, I like the light (mushroom) colour interior.

http://www.wdmcarsmercedesspecialist.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=12400&pageid=1

Having looked about a bit, you should get a 2001 - 2003 S320 CDI for between £8k and £10k with 80k - 110K on the clock.

In my opinion if I was looking for a diesel saloon, I would certainly go for an S class - if anything you will pay less for an S320CDI than a similar age and mileage W211 E320 CDI - where is the sense in that. On top of which, given the poor reliability record of the early W211 E-class cars (electrical faults) an S class may well work out cheaper to run

 

[M6AJJ]

I have the petrol version, and can only say how pleased I have been with it. I have owned it for coming up five years, and it still feels like a new car. It has been no more expensive to run than any other vehicle.

Best of luck with your choice.

 

[Blobcat]

There were quite a few threads awhile ago detailing issues with the air suspension. Whilst they may be fixed now I believe it can be very expensive to repair.

 

[AnthUK]

My S500 was a dream to own. Only probs were rust bubbles on arches, balancer shaft and compressor on air suspension (oh and 12mpg!). Fantastic car, better than my W211 E320cdi

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Hello all.

I currently have a 96 E230 Elegance, which I love.

I did consider switching to an E Class diesel following a tyre-kicking (I confess!) test drive in a 2001 E320CDi.

However, I have long admired the S320CDi and the early ones have now depreciated to a price range that I am prepared to consider (one of the many, many things I admire about Merc barges is their unfailing depreciation!)

Yes, yes, I'm tight but only because I'm skint(ish).

So I'm wondering if any of you Merc sages have views as to the wisdom of buying an early S320CDi with a budget of £10k.

Would I be buying a serious source of headache or, if I found a well cared-for example with reasonable mileage (whatever that is) on the clock, would I get a few years of cost-effective motorway bliss?

All opinions received with interest and kind regards!

Dale.

Following superb advice from this Forum, I picked up my 1998 S320L with FMBSH and 65K miles on the clock. Immaculate, rust-free and no 'dings' or scratches - for £5400

There are some bargains to be had out there - if you know where to look

 

[Chas]

Hello all.

I currently have a 96 E230 Elegance, which I love.

I did consider switching to an E Class diesel following a tyre-kicking (I confess!) test drive in a 2001 E320CDi.

However, I have long admired the S320CDi and the early ones have now depreciated to a price range that I am prepared to consider (one of the many, many things I admire about Merc barges is their unfailing depreciation!)

Yes, yes, I'm tight but only because I'm skint(ish).

So I'm wondering if any of you Merc sages have views as to the wisdom of buying an early S320CDi with a budget of £10k.

Would I be buying a serious source of headache or, if I found a well cared-for example with reasonable mileage (whatever that is) on the clock, would I get a few years of cost-effective motorway bliss?

All opinions received with interest and kind regards!

Dale.

You should be able to get a 2000/2001 S320 for £10,000.
Make sure it has COMAND a must have (or you will want it later !), and as many extras as possible, Parktronic, memory seats etc.

Also a full MB service history is essential if you want any rust issues fixed free of charge for 30 years. Rusty wheel arches and rusty doors are problem areas.
Airmatic suspension should be thoroughly checked out before buying. Ask what has been replaced/repaired over its service history.
As for running costs,I get mine serviced every 2 years and and can get 38 mpg on petrol on the motorway, (cruise set to 65mph).

Go for it :-D

 

[jon cash]

buy buy buy and smile cause you have the most luxurious motor car in the world for the money and it uses less fuel than a petrol fiesta on a run, they can give trouble but keep away from main dealers and you should be able to run it maybe not on shoe string money but definitley boot lace money,

 

[Malcolm Johnson]

i'm onto my second s320cdi first one 3 years till a wet corner took her from me.
what i will say is the facelift version intoduced late 2002 (204 bhp) compared to the earlier 197bhp version on a run over 230miles use's a gallon less than my former vehicle and i do that run every monday and friday.
the problem with the cars is, once you've driven one everything else always seems less and you have to have another regardless of wether you need it or not, seductive !!!.