E300 diesel estate

[B17NNS]

My brother is after a large, comfortable estate car and I suggested an E300 DT estate of late 90's vintage (not sure of Mercedes nomeculture).

He's got about £5k to spend.

Anybody aware of any common issues on these or things to look out for when viewing/test driving?

What kind of mileages are these things capable of?

Is it worth spending a little extra on the 320 CDI. I assume this would be a facelift model?

I take it the Avantgarde is the one to go for?

Thanks in advance.

[silverback mike]

Well.....
I have a 300D nudging its' way up to 400,000 miles with not so much as a moan. The only real nasties other than obvious all car checks are rust. The front wings tend to go on the leading edges, as do sills and jacking points as far as I'm aware.

The rest of them are pretty much bombproof. I presume you are talking about the W124 Variety though.

I think they are marvellous. Obviously I can't comment on the turbo version but as a generic report on the type of car I don't think they can be beaten.

[Gazzab]

I am thinking of selling my E320CDI Estate (Elegance) for not that much more than his budget. 2001 51 plate one prev owner (my dad). 102K.

[B17NNS]

Gazzab said:

I am thinking of selling my E320CDI Estate (Elegance) for not that much more than his budget. 2001 51 plate one prev owner (my dad). 102K.

£5k is the top end of his budget. You got any details/pics? PM me or e-mail me at [e-mail]

Cheers

[Gazzab]

Hi £5K is too low. It is due a service now. Serviced it would prob be advertised for £7K ? I would take less cos of service but £5K is too low. £5K tends to get you a scrappy CDI or a 98 ish 300TD. This is only 30 secs research in autotrader !

[B17NNS]

No probs Gaz, thanks anyway.

As an aside, what are your experiences of ownership as a whole?

[bolide]

The W124 estate was built up to 1996. The W210 estate was introduced from 1997 but there were no 320 CDis till about 2000 and they are £7k minimum

I'd rather have a late W124 than an early W210 - but then I would say that!

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

[Gazzab]

B17NNS said:

No probs Gaz, thanks anyway.

As an aside, what are your experiences of ownership as a whole?

Been pretty pleased with it. Performance is awesome. They have a few niggles re rust and electrics. Rust on mine has been minor and boot catch area was fixed and painted by merc.
The electrics were a bit of a prob for a while a couple of yrs ago eg windows wouldnt always close, keys got stuck in ignition, got stuck in gear... But now fixed and no probs. Used to chew up front tyres, eventually after spending a lot of money I got it sorted.
MPG is ok. Get about 28mpg on my shortish journeys. Once you get on a long journey you can get mid 30s.

[pikeyboy]

i had a 300td 98 avantgarde estate low miles history nice car, some rust around the edges....now I have a 530d touring not quite as big but twice the car...if you get what i mean