I dont make much money and I have allways driven old Mercedes ever since. When I can afford them easily, everybody can! Currently I drive a 320 SLK with the same engine but manual transmission. I bought it for just 4500€ and at least in germany it is super cheap in insurance because mainly elderly people drive these! The only issue with this particular car I had so far was the "Engine Management Relay Module" (it didn't crank at all). It was an easy fix though, just bad contacts.
It’s a whole different situation in Germany than the rest of the world. You have plenty of well maintained cars to choose from for very cheap, and parts are widely available and cheap. In the US for example, nice ones are far more rare and thus expensive to buy. Parts, labor or even finding a reputable shop to work on them can be difficult and very expensive. In the US, people driving old Mercedes which are really well maintained and well preserved are usually at least fairly wealthy. Those who don’t make much money would be either leasing a car, or driving an old Asian/American car
@@the8419 There is some truth in what you said. I also want to add the difference in the costumer target group in Germany. Someone who would have bought a Buick or an Oldsmobile in the US was the typical base model E-class buyer in Germany, Austria and in the Netherlands back then so we have a wide range of supply of "simpler" Mercedes'. In the US I guess, almost every Benz is loaded with all the expensive extras wich doesen't make it easier to work on. To give the story a turn around; I would love to own a 1990-1996 Buick Park Avenue. I think these look so classy and they are said to be very reliable and economical. Spare parts are only rarely available in the Netherlands, Skandinavia and maybe Switzerland, because GM decided not to sell them in the very rest of Europe....this make them very expensive to own over here.... But back to Mercedes, for instance an SLK 320 is cheap, reliable, fun and easy and cheap to work on even in the US. Leasing a car, as you mentioned earler is almost every time the worst financial decision.
My dad currently owns a 1998 CLK320 with the same drive train. Change oil every 5000 miles with full synthetic. Bought it during 2016 with 150,000 miles. Now it has 230,000 and is still used daily. The 5 speeds on these transmission don't really break. Usually it's a connector that gets covered in oil and it damages the computer, that's usually from dirty oil or bad maintenance. We just do drain and fill for the transmission and it's had no issues. I myself own a 2000 SLK230. Same 5 speed transmission. I just drain and fill and it's been solid. Bought it with 155,000 miles 3 years ago and now it has 195,000.
I have a c class with the same engine and its been absolutely flawless. id venture to say it migjt be one of the most engine/transmission combos ever made
The most reliable used car I have ever owned was a 2001 E320. I got it in 2016 and drove it every day for 3 years. It never gave me a single issue. I think about that car almost every day.
welcome to the world of W210s! these cars are incredibly durable. the M112 (and M113) motor is basically bulletproof (they like to leak oil from valve covers but no serious issues) and the 722.6 transmission is one of the most reliable ever, it will go hundreds of thousands of miles if maintained and only has 2 weak spots - the speed sensor built into the conductor plate and the connector socket where the wiring harness plugs into the transmission. the speed sensor tends to start cracking/splitting around 100-120k miles and you'll notice hard downshifts when coming to a stop, eventually it will go into limp mode. the connector socket has 2 o-rings which, being rubber, will eventually leak. if leaking and you don't address it, eventually the ATF will work its way up the wiring harness and fry the TCM. socket is $20 and it's an easy DIY fix. conductor plate you have to drop the pan, pull the valve body, etc. so that's a bit more involved for a DIY repair. rust - W210s suffered a lot of cosmetic rust on the body panels due to the EU water-based paint environmental mandates at the time, but the only structural rust you need to worry about are the front spring perches - a small number had bad undercoating around those and if they rust, the perch will eventually separate from the chassis. fortunately if you're buying one now, any of these problems will be very easy to spot. I see plenty of W210s still for sale in the $2-5k range that are still in decent shape. parts are cheap and easy to get (FCP Euro, Rock Auto, eBay for OE salvage parts). and unlike an Audi, the W210 will not cause you to invent new profanities during repair procedures.
I own a 1998 E-320 with 154,000 miles. I've found that key issues are a problem. If you don't have the original keys and a key that's has been programed there are possible key problems. So far I have done the oil change, transmission fluid, A/C compressor, condenser, air dryer, Brakes, rotors, tires, CVC boot on passenger front. Air filter, inside air filter and now the rear brake light The car is 27 years old. things are expected to brake. I've spent about 4200.00 to do all these issues to date. It rides well, great gas mileage, No dent, rust, inside the car appearance is 90 % some cracks in the dash, speaker cracks. But I've paid 3400.00 for the car. Registration 40.00 overall once all these issues are done I can get a mileage badge for going over 155,000 miles and the car will serve me well. Now consider owning a new car. Higher car payments , insurance, registration and of course gas. In today's world food, rent, clothing, you're working a part-time job. So yes compare the two and I find that I'd come out better with and older fixer. You learn to fix some things yourself and save. Plus the pride in knowing you have a car paid for as a hobby to past on one day. It looks great on the road because there are few 1998's E-320 4 Matic out there looking like they just came off the show room floor. 1/2/24
If the crackling noise comes from the rear sunshade then it's from the sub on the back plate, changing the speakers on the rear doors won't help with the noise, I had the same issue on my w210 years ago, you just have to use a sponge layer between the plate and the sub, that will eliminate the noise.
I picked up a '98 E320 for $1,000 last October. Of course at that price it needs a little work, but it's all things I can fix myself, and it'll make a very nice daily driver.
I live in Malaysia and my W210 E240 V6 is just magnificent and reliable, it's already 25 years old. It's a shame really for newer car's nowadays could not last as long as these old 90's Merc. You just do preventive maintenance on these car's and will enjoy a lifetime.
Great stuff! I'm in a similar 'shopping' situation rn, so I'd love to land something like this, it's just that cars like this are pretty much all gone due to rust here across the pond in the mainland Europe..
Of course it is. Do periodic maintenance and be happy. I am a happy owner of a W123 and a W126 and I often go on long trips with them (more than 1000 miles). Keep the faith and put them to work. BTW, nice E320.
Yes…. have 2001 CLK430 got it in 2016 with 190K miles now over 220K miles… do my own work (mechanical inclined) -always maintenance by me. ZF transmission is bullet proof- rather messy fluid change (be careful with conductor plate). all my parts from eBay (Benz dealers) - never had issues ✅
Great performer. But it needs a lot of love, maintenance. Anything mercedes is a fortune to maintain. I had a 1999 Mercedes E320. I bought it in 2009. It was a one owner elderly woman in Florida, no corosion, 75K miles. Loved driving the car but after $8K in service bills and dealer recommending I spend another $3500, I had enough. I sold it and bought a Honda Accord. Seven years later, the car is perfect and minimal maintenance. I dodged a bullit.
@@drivenperspective I would leave the paint swirls and speakers and tint alone - that doesnt' bother me at all - but that headliner - that keeps me up at night - i can't stop thinking about that drooping, sagging stapled old thing
if you are smart and maintain them they can be great but if you neglect them they will murder your wallet. get a can of PB surface shield and spray the underside
I dont make much money and I have allways driven old Mercedes ever since. When I can afford them easily, everybody can! Currently I drive a 320 SLK with the same engine but manual transmission. I bought it for just 4500€ and at least in germany it is super cheap in insurance because mainly elderly people drive these! The only issue with this particular car I had so far was the "Engine Management Relay Module" (it didn't crank at all). It was an easy fix though, just bad contacts.
It’s a whole different situation in Germany than the rest of the world. You have plenty of well maintained cars to choose from for very cheap, and parts are widely available and cheap. In the US for example, nice ones are far more rare and thus expensive to buy. Parts, labor or even finding a reputable shop to work on them can be difficult and very expensive. In the US, people driving old Mercedes which are really well maintained and well preserved are usually at least fairly wealthy. Those who don’t make much money would be either leasing a car, or driving an old Asian/American car
@@the8419 There is some truth in what you said. I also want to add the difference in the costumer target group in Germany. Someone who would have bought a Buick or an Oldsmobile in the US was the typical base model E-class buyer in Germany, Austria and in the Netherlands back then so we have a wide range of supply of "simpler" Mercedes'. In the US I guess, almost every Benz is loaded with all the expensive extras wich doesen't make it easier to work on.
To give the story a turn around; I would love to own a 1990-1996 Buick Park Avenue. I think these look so classy and they are said to be very reliable and economical. Spare parts are only rarely available in the Netherlands, Skandinavia and maybe Switzerland, because GM decided not to sell them in the very rest of Europe....this make them very expensive to own over here....
But back to Mercedes, for instance an SLK 320 is cheap, reliable, fun and easy and cheap to work on even in the US. Leasing a car, as you mentioned earler is almost every time the worst financial decision.
The gears taking longer to shift is actually the way they were new. It's programmed that way to warm the engine up faster.
W210 is super underrated cars! Big fan ❤
My dad currently owns a 1998 CLK320 with the same drive train. Change oil every 5000 miles with full synthetic. Bought it during 2016 with 150,000 miles. Now it has 230,000 and is still used daily. The 5 speeds on these transmission don't really break. Usually it's a connector that gets covered in oil and it damages the computer, that's usually from dirty oil or bad maintenance. We just do drain and fill for the transmission and it's had no issues.
I myself own a 2000 SLK230. Same 5 speed transmission. I just drain and fill and it's been solid. Bought it with 155,000 miles 3 years ago and now it has 195,000.
I have a 98 e320 with 313k miles. I've had it for 15 years and counting. It is amazingly reliable
do you maintain at mercedes dealer?
@@victorblock3421. Unlikely with that kind of mileage.
I have a c class with the same engine and its been absolutely flawless. id venture to say it migjt be one of the most engine/transmission combos ever made
Just hit 321k on my w202 c230 i love it to bits, i trust it with my life.
transmission oil change is always expensive and enough to do 1-2 in a car life on those benz cars.
The most reliable used car I have ever owned was a 2001 E320. I got it in 2016 and drove it every day for 3 years. It never gave me a single issue. I think about that car almost every day.
welcome to the world of W210s! these cars are incredibly durable. the M112 (and M113) motor is basically bulletproof (they like to leak oil from valve covers but no serious issues) and the 722.6 transmission is one of the most reliable ever, it will go hundreds of thousands of miles if maintained and only has 2 weak spots - the speed sensor built into the conductor plate and the connector socket where the wiring harness plugs into the transmission. the speed sensor tends to start cracking/splitting around 100-120k miles and you'll notice hard downshifts when coming to a stop, eventually it will go into limp mode. the connector socket has 2 o-rings which, being rubber, will eventually leak. if leaking and you don't address it, eventually the ATF will work its way up the wiring harness and fry the TCM. socket is $20 and it's an easy DIY fix. conductor plate you have to drop the pan, pull the valve body, etc. so that's a bit more involved for a DIY repair. rust - W210s suffered a lot of cosmetic rust on the body panels due to the EU water-based paint environmental mandates at the time, but the only structural rust you need to worry about are the front spring perches - a small number had bad undercoating around those and if they rust, the perch will eventually separate from the chassis. fortunately if you're buying one now, any of these problems will be very easy to spot. I see plenty of W210s still for sale in the $2-5k range that are still in decent shape. parts are cheap and easy to get (FCP Euro, Rock Auto, eBay for OE salvage parts). and unlike an Audi, the W210 will not cause you to invent new profanities during repair procedures.
these cars are great. i have a 98 e320 as a secondary car and use it for in city driving. Dont regret the purchase so far lol
I own a 1998 E-320 with 154,000 miles. I've found that key issues are a problem. If you don't have the original keys and a key that's has been programed there are possible key problems.
So far I have done the oil change, transmission fluid, A/C compressor, condenser, air dryer, Brakes, rotors, tires, CVC boot on passenger front. Air filter, inside air filter and now the rear brake light
The car is 27 years old. things are expected to brake. I've spent about 4200.00 to do all these issues to date. It rides well, great gas mileage, No dent, rust, inside the car appearance is 90 %
some cracks in the dash, speaker cracks. But I've paid 3400.00 for the car. Registration 40.00 overall once all these issues are done I can get a mileage badge for going over 155,000 miles and the
car will serve me well. Now consider owning a new car. Higher car payments , insurance, registration and of course gas. In today's world food, rent, clothing, you're working a part-time job. So yes
compare the two and I find that I'd come out better with and older fixer. You learn to fix some things yourself and save. Plus the pride in knowing you have a car paid for as a hobby to past on one
day. It looks great on the road because there are few 1998's E-320 4 Matic out there looking like they just came off the show room floor. 1/2/24
I would clear them sunroof drains asap before they cause a leak!
Learn from my mistakes
The 320cdi is one of the most robust and reliable Mercedes engines
If the crackling noise comes from the rear sunshade then it's from the sub on the back plate, changing the speakers on the rear doors won't help with the noise, I had the same issue on my w210 years ago, you just have to use a sponge layer between the plate and the sub, that will eliminate the noise.
If it has a Bose stereo the speakers won’t work right unless you rip the who stereo out and put in a new one
Doesn't have Bose.
I picked up a '98 E320 for $1,000 last October. Of course at that price it needs a little work, but it's all things I can fix myself, and it'll make a very nice daily driver.
I live in Malaysia and my W210 E240 V6 is just magnificent and reliable, it's already 25 years old. It's a shame really for newer car's nowadays could not last as long as these old 90's Merc. You just do preventive maintenance on these car's and will enjoy a lifetime.
I have one like urs Ahmad
1998 W210 E240 V6
Got it facelifted.
Just a joy if u prepared to spend on maintenance d occasional wear n tear.😊
Great stuff! I'm in a similar 'shopping' situation rn, so I'd love to land something like this, it's just that cars like this are pretty much all gone due to rust here across the pond in the mainland Europe..
$350 sounds much more reasonable! good you called around
I had a w210 27 years old. Solid needs general maintenance certain thing needing with age. They are built to last.
Of course it is. Do periodic maintenance and be happy. I am a happy owner of a W123 and a W126 and I often go on long trips with them (more than 1000 miles). Keep the faith and put them to work. BTW, nice E320.
Yes…. have 2001 CLK430 got it in 2016 with 190K miles now over 220K miles… do my own work (mechanical inclined) -always maintenance by me. ZF transmission is bullet proof- rather messy fluid change (be careful with conductor plate). all my parts from eBay (Benz dealers) - never had issues ✅
Great performer. But it needs a lot of love, maintenance. Anything mercedes is a fortune to maintain. I had a 1999 Mercedes E320. I bought it in 2009. It was a one owner elderly woman in Florida, no corosion, 75K miles. Loved driving the car but after $8K in service bills and dealer recommending I spend another $3500, I had enough. I sold it and bought a Honda Accord. Seven years later, the car is perfect and minimal maintenance. I dodged a bullit.
@0:46 all those staples in the headliner - are you ever going to replace that?
Not anytime soon. They don't bother me as much…
@@drivenperspective I would leave the paint swirls and speakers and tint alone - that doesnt' bother me at all - but that headliner - that keeps me up at night - i can't stop thinking about that drooping, sagging stapled old thing
If it is W210 that has been rust proofed, then yes.
Change the transmission fluid it might make it worse
You have no idea what you're talking about
The car you’re driving, isn’t the car you show in the pictures…
Its the same car. You can see in my other videos.
@ Oh ok…looked like a newer model.
if you are smart and maintain them they can be great but if you neglect them they will murder your wallet. get a can of PB surface shield and spray the underside