what a difference a year makes! buying advice needed please

[television]

Just a tiny bit of rust on the arches, cannot see too well but if caught early easy to fix

 

[shaggy]

That looks a decent example if the photos are anything to go by. I'd take up the option of a fresh MOT myself, but I see its ONO anyway so room for some negociations
Look out for rust also around the boot lock, the headlight surrounds and the doors as well as the arches.
Can't help you with any engine pointers I'm afraid as oil burners are alien to me
Good luck!

Edit Yes it is pre facelift.

Just a tiny bit of rust on the arches, cannot see too well but if caught early easy to fix

been to have a look
the rear arches have rust under the paint and need sorting but im thinking of getting my mate from the body shop to sort it in primer then cover with them chrome arch covers later
the aircon is blowing cool but not cold but colder than if it was not on if that makes sense?
the tyres are 90% all round
I took the car out for about 30 mins after leaving it to tick over for 20 mins, when I blipped the throttle there was no smoke
I tried the gears through the manual change option ie:- 1/2/3/D and they worked as they should
kick down is there almost immediately (maybe a second or so) which I would think is the norm?
seems plenty of power when needed
brakes are decent
temp sat bang in the middle all the time (just above 80)
sunroof works 100%
elec windows 100%
elec mirrors 100%

the biggest issue was the wife being comfy and she says its very comfy

so we are speaking tonight about the price etc

I will just need some cheap insurance and im away if I buy it
the aircon issue is slightly worrying but im sure spares are easily available?

anymore advice welcomed
cheers

 

[shaggy]

just got back with my new car
I bought this 1999 E300 TD Elegance
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251305328205?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

just driven it back 200 miles and the cruise is a blessing
I will be dropping the oils etc and addressing a few issues but all in all im very happy

 

[television]

If you do get the arch covers why not spray them to match the car.

 

[shaggy]

If you do get the arch covers why not spray them to match the car.

I may do that but I left them in Bristol the seller is going to post them on

there are 6 advisories on the mot from when it was tested 17/01/13

1/ nearside lamp deteriorated but light output not reduced

2/ offside lamp deteriorated but light output not reduced

3/ offside front lower ball joint has slight play

4/ under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

5/ engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

6/ play in steering rack inner joint (s)

there is a slight knock that can be heard but not felt when hitting a small pothole etc but apart from that it drives & steers very tight but I will be changing the ball joint this week and looking at getting the steering rack joints looked at

all in all im happy so far and the next week or so will tell me what I need to know as im sure any problems will show up as I get used to the car

 

[AMGeed]

I may do that but I left them in Bristol the seller is going to post them on

there are 6 advisories on the mot from when it was tested 17/01/13

1/ nearside lamp deteriorated but light output not reduced

2/ offside lamp deteriorated but light output not reduced

3/ offside front lower ball joint has slight play

4/ under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

5/ engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

6/ play in steering rack inner joint (s)

there is a slight knock that can be heard but not felt when hitting a small pothole etc but apart from that it drives & steers very tight but I will be changing the ball joint this week and looking at getting the steering rack joints looked at

all in all im happy so far and the next week or so will tell me what I need to know as im sure any problems will show up as I get used to the car

Nice one! I hope the car is everything you and your missus need.

As for the advisories, # 1 & 2 are simply the headlight lens clouding over and can be revived using very fine wet & dry and polished out. I got mine done by a friend in the bodywork trade using his machine polisher. Took him 20 minutes for £15.
Advisories 4 & 5 would apply to any Mercedes and not worth bothering with. Just an MOT tester being pedantic

 

[shaggy]

here's some pictures
the parrot was included in the sale

 

[shaggy]

right lets see if this works....
http://s22.photobucket.com/user/shaggy67/slideshow/merc e300

 

[television]

That is just very nice

 

[shaggy]

That is just very nice

I gave him £875 which I don't think is bad money to be honest

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Well done, looks terrific value, even if the eventual repair/service items come to circa £500 you could not have spent your money any better.

Hope it serves you well!

 

[tode]

That should be comfy, and a very nice-looking car.

 

[shaggy]

Well done, looks terrific value, even if the eventual repair/service items come to circa £500 you could not have spent your money any better.

Hope it serves you well!

thanks

That should be comfy, and a very nice-looking car.

comfy.... it is quite nice to be honest
my 8 yr old said "dad its like floating" and he now calls it the ship :lol:

few issues to sort out but that's half the fun....

 

[The Pan Man]

Shaggy Good news about the car. If SWMBO is happy and most of all comfortable you are more than half way there.
The little KNOCK will be the drop links This car is from the era when the drop links were made from plastacine and iron fillings (Yes I had one). Plenty of the 210 series about for second hand spares.
Aircon there are places that do service exchange on them I think I paid about £350 fitted from memory. Did I mention that I had one?
Air mass meter (If fitted) will benefit from a clean, other than that turn key and drive and enjoy.

 

[shaggy]

Shaggy Good news about the car. If SWMBO is happy and most of all comfortable you are more than half way there.
The little KNOCK will be the drop links This car is from the era when the drop links were made from plastacine and iron fillings (Yes I had one). Plenty of the 210 series about for second hand spares.
Aircon there are places that do service exchange on them I think I paid about £350 fitted from memory. Did I mention that I had one?
Air mass meter (If fitted) will benefit from a clean, other than that turn key and drive and enjoy.

SWMBO is very happy with the car and does not sit with a miserable look on her face & shuffle about trying to get comfy like she does in most other cars so that is good

the air con does blow cold but not really cold enough but to be honest out of the 5 I had looked at all were the same, quick fit will be getting visited soon and then I will see what is needed

I have now discovered (after 350 miles) what issues the car has

here is what I know....

heater plug(s) not working as I get a diesel knock when first started, the knock lasts 10 seconds or so, I will be changing all 6 plugs or rather a specialist will be due to the snap happy issue

I think I have a diesel leak from the fuel pump, there was no leak when I bought it(or I missed it) and there is none on the floor but I can smell it round the pump area and there is a wet residue under the pump, I think this has just started but I may have missed it on the initial viewing:Oops:

I think there will be quite a few rubber bush's and ball joins/track rod ends etc that need replacing so will start and get them done a bit at a time

the drivers side mirror wont adjust up and down with the button, it is ok left and right so am presuming it has been knocked at some time and the clips behind may be broken ?

the passenger side catch for the bonnet does not catch when you put the bonnet down, so I have to put extra pressure on that side to get it to lock in place

brakes have a bit of judder when braking hard, easy fix Pagid all round as soon as I can

my mate will polish the headlights

and just general tidying up

simples........:lol::lol::lol:

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Sorry to hear your woes..but the only way is up!

Only just seen this post..i have owned a W210, you must check the front suspension cross member, these rust like crazy, known safety issue, many have been replaced, I had mine changed by MB FOC.

If you open the bonnet look down at the floor front rad end, you will see it..

Good luck with the car...

Cheers
DSB.