LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON E320 CDi PURCHASE

[WPR]

I'm seriously looking at buying an 2001 (Y reg) E320 CDi Avantgarde 58k miles from a local non specialist dealer. The car looks and drives very well and all the service stamps, receipts etc are available.

Can anyone give me some advice and guidance on buying the car (problems to look out for etc).

Also the ASSYST is showing the car is 5900 away from an 'A' service. Can anyone advise as to what I could expect to pay for this from either a main dealer or indie?

Thanks for any words of wisdom.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Welcome to the forum.

There are quite a few E320 CDi owners on the forum so you should get quite a lot of feedback.

I've owned a E320 CDi Avantgarde Estate since Nov 04

Here's my 6 penneth.

1) Do a search on the rust issue on this forum, so that you are equipped when you buy (front cross member and the top of the doors under the seals are the main issues). All E class 96-2002 vary on this issue, mine is pretty much OK.

2) I went for a well specced example, leather, sunroof, climate, xenons, and seven seats. It's worth looking around for the right spec.

3) Mechanically my car has been A1, but its worth taking out breakdown insurance for the first year for peace of mind, Major components are expensive to replace.

4) The engine is a gem, but check for unusual sounds, some have suffered a degree of piston slap on No 1 cylinder. A recognised problem but in all probability quite rare. I am getting 33 ave mpg and 40 ish on the motorway. The engine is fantastic (very quick) and drives very much like a petrol so you won't be disadvantaged in that respect.

5) Alloys may need a refurb so check, also tyres are £100+ a corner so check them.

6) The avantgarde specced car is stiffer on the suspension than the elegance and is quite a firm ride especially on 17/18 in wheels (standards are 16in).

7) All in all the car is still the best estate on the market for all round ability, and I'm very pleased with it.

8) 'A' service is the cheaper oil change and visual inspection, circa £150-250. 'B' service is the major service, usually costs anywhere between £250-500 depending on what needs doing. Use the lower end figs for independants doing the work.

9) One last point, check the condition of the brake discs they tend to wear out between 40-60K, its easy to get caught out with this one. To check just run your finger over the wear lip on the outer circum of the disc, if its deep, they need changing.

 

[WPR]

Really useful advice - many thanks.

I'll follow up with an inspection for rust and do some hunting in the forums. I'll also check the brake discs. Would you know what this cost would be if/when I have to do it?

The garage will put 12 months warranty on the car - I just need to make sure it's a worthwhile one.

The car's fitted with 18" AMG rims which look in decent shape. No signs of heavy curbing or chips.

Thanks again.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

OE Brake discs run out at £50 each for the front and 35 each for the rears. Add pads at £50 for the front set and 40 for the rears, all + VAT. The jobs not a long one so add £100 labour. All up I would think about circa £400.

I would test drive the Avantgarde with 18in rims to make sure that you are happy with the stiffness of the suspension, it will be harsh over poor surfaces. I find the standard set-up firm at times with the 16in rims.

 

[Blobcat]

I agree with everything Malcolm210 has written, I run the saloon varient and love it.
Rust can be a problem, however with MB stamps in the service book yours has a 30 yr anti-corrosion warranty from MB.
MAS sensor can and does fail, symtoms are inability to rev beyond 3,000 and lack of kick down. Many threads on this and you can replace with Bosch MAS sensors for much less than MB prices.
Discs last around 60K on mine and pads half that. Prices for parts from MB are pretty decent for brakes.
A/C leaks gas and should be refilled every 18'24 months. Condensor can crack due to stone damage but compressor failure is rare.
Diff breather has a tendancy to block which forces oil out of the drive and propshaft oil seals. Not a big problem unless lots of oil is being lost.
Pixels on the temperature and gear selector display do fail and a new dash is the MB answer this is big £££'s
I am getting slightly better MPG than Malcolm210 - 36.5mpg aveaged over 91,000 miles.
ASSYST is simple on the 210's in that it only has 'A' (oil change) and 'B' (Major) services. If you cover over 13,500 miles between services then the 'A' service can be dropped and switch straight to a 'B'. If using MB specification fully synthetic oil the ASSYST should reset to 12,000 miles to next service. With careful driving and the odd top up the service can be pushed out to 17-18,000 however pls note the 'A' to 'B' switch above.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

One thing to watch are the glowplugs, expected life is about 60k. If not already replaced they will go soon. I would insist they are changed or changed free of charge in the next service. After that check air con, under the doopr seals for rust, make sure ypou get in writing tha tthe car has the Mobilo warranty, don't accept a verbal, get it in writing. MB will pick up the tab on rust issues. If the dealer cant give it to you check with MB yourself, reg or chassis number and they will tell you if the history is up to date. Make sure the manauls and service book are in the car, they will explain it.

You should get 2 electronic keys plus a spare mechanical key. If you dont get this then someone somewhere has a key to your car. You get the car repprogrammed and get the extra keys all from MB dealer.

Other things to check, air con [failed at 65k] , brakes [ABS pump, check for leaks, mine went at 65k and again at 73k], brake disks [near end of life too at 50-60k but depends on driving], you don't say saloon or estate, if estate self levelling suspension has potential trouble. MAF can go too, not expensive but kills performance.

If you look in the service book some service items are time related rather than mileage related, eg replace brake fluid [should ahve bene done by now], coolant, etc. May just be negotiating points but they cost money too.

A great car to drive, economy is good too, regularly get mid late 30s......and lots of power.

Bin the 18" wheels [sell on eBay] and get 16" ones....[on eBay too].