Mercedes Models to avoid?

[blitzed400]

Which models are best to be avoided and what years does it range from?

 

[sexyboy_msm]

In my opinion I would say the pre facelift W210 e class. Im not sure of the years exactly, but I believe it was 1995 to late 2000. In both cases the W210 had rust problems. But the facelift was better mechanically and economy wise.

 

[television]

Early 203s with all of the electric faults SAMs,ABS,ESP, Glycol in the box and rust

 

[jberks]

1998 to 2001 all models can have rust. The 210 was the worst affected but no model is imune. All models 1998 to 2005 can have electrical problems if we're being strict about it. but that's not a reason to avoid them necessarily. They are still great to own for the most part.

 

[e300]

My e300 1998 has no rust at all and no electrical problems don't knock a complete range aof cars just bcause a batch of bad primer or steel panels caused some models to rust, do you think the factory used different primer for different models come on my guess is the steel used in some wings and body panels was at fault but if you look after your car it won't rust!

 

[jberks]

My e300 1998 has no rust at all and no electrical problems don't knock a complete range aof cars just bcause a batch of bad primer or steel panels caused some models to rust, do you think the factory used different primer for different models come on my guess is the steel used in some wings and body panels was at fault but if you look after your car it won't rust!

1998 was the start of the issues as they switched to water based paint and removed galvanisation which was disasterous. I suspect yours was built prior to this. Also electrical issues were all part of cost cutting which again I suspect you were lucky enough to pre-date.

Don't get me wrong, I had a 2000 E class and loved it, but it did have a couple of minor electronic foibles and it did have a few areas of corrosion in exactly the places we'd expect for cars of that era. We now have a 2003 E class and that's had more electronics issues yet my late 2004 is far better so the era of problems is well doccumented with you (1998) and I (2004) at either end of it.

 

[eyelight]

We've had to say goodbye to our 1994 W124 estate, (there's a whole other thread about that), so I'm just having a think about possible replacements. Might even sell or trade in our 1994 Coupé as well, as we really only need one car at the moment.

Are early W210 cars less inclined to rust than the 1998 - 2002 cars? Is it just a water based paint issue?
And what about the "spring perches" and "stretched steel" construction? Some on this forum have advised to avoid the W210 completely.

 

[NewMB]

I also think that one can not knock several years of various MB models just because of the risk of rust, electrical problems or other things that might happen.

When I was a teenager, my father had an S560 SEC -87 which rusted like crazy due to the heated garage he used (salt on swedish roads are not kind to cars). Bootlid and doors rusted. Fixed and paid by dad. The fuel pump also went nuts and had to be replaced. Saying that, the engine run so sweet is was amazing. No other problems.

The next model, an -99 S600L was a pile of "*+/%". Doors rusted. CD changer never worked. Telephone never worked and boot leaked in water.

Changed to another -99 S600L that gave very little problems except a computer failure and CD changer glitches. All fixed.

 

[jberks]

All very true. We had a 1980 250 (W123). Generally regarded as the merc of yesteryear and a real icon. Had it from new and as it was his dream car, my Dad cherished it.
It shredded 2 timing chains requiring a head off rebuld on both occasions, the head gasket went at 40k and after 6 years and 140k rust had taken hold round the front wings.
We then got a 2 year old 380SE which was fabulous but occasionally misfired and then went to an 60k 280E (again W123) which by 120k had had a gearbox rebuild, never idled right and blew black clouds of clag when floored. All wonderful cars but not perfect my any means.
Yes 1998 to 2004 cars had problems but to be fair they weren't that much worse in some ways. I used my 2000 E240 daily for both local and long distance commuting and whilst it had the odd issue, it never let me down , was always comfortable and quiet, never rattled and always looked good. After 5 years and 70k I wasn't rushing to change for any reason you could blame on the car itself. Comapred to my friends logical choice of a mondeo. He's had it 2 years (60k), it's making some strange noises now and he's itching to change. It's still nice, but given the choice between a 2006 mondeo or a 2001 W210, having had one and going in with my eyes wide open, I'd still take the merc.

 

[kth286]

W210 are as cheap as chips - ask yourself why.

There have been SO many problems with 210 that in my opinion it would be a very unwise decision to knowingly expose your finances to that model.

 

[joem]

See sticky 'Final Cost Breakdown for Blocat's W210 E320CDI' for a good reason to buy a W210. Blobcat bought his new so picking one up for a few '000 and servicing it outside MB network would make it even cheaper to run.