Buying a used Mercedes E-class W210 - 1995-2003, Buying advice with Common Issues 

Buying a used Volvo S60, V70 (P2) - 2000-2009

Even in 2021 this car is still so elegant to me!

no rust problems when used in countries without snow (no salt at streets). I have a '99 e430 guard (factory armored) for the last 6 years with no issues (at all), just preventive maintenance. Its a very, very, very reliable car and still works perfectly for daily drive.

I just bought a 2000 e320 wagon for $650 because the old lady was moving out of state. Mint condition no rust but it has 223,000 miles but it rides like a new car! My first European car but I love it!

I have a 1996 E300 with 288,000 miles. No rust, rattles or squeaks. It’s my daily driver and I love the car.

Bad engine mounts are common too. Climate control buttons break. Rear control arm bushings wear out, they make a polyurethane replacement. Most things are a diy repair, the chassis is a total tank.

I'm LUCKY!! I got a E320 from a good friend of mine, it's original owner was his mother-in-law, garage kept 184,000 miles. 100% RUST FREE!!!! Serviced by MB only. I paid $1,500.00 in 2016, so I believe that was a fair deal. Even full service on tranny, including internal module and pin connector. Of all the cars I've owned in my life, so far this W210 is by far the best automobile I have ever owned!!!!!!

Nice to see this review. I own a 2002 E320 base model with 244,000 miles on it. I put over 200 thousand miles of those miles on it in the last 10 years. The car is the smoothest nicest riding car I have ever had. Also super reliable. Original water pump, power steering pump suspension etc. The only major parts I had to replace were the Air Conditioning compressor at about 190k and recently the transmission with a Mercedes factory rebuilt unit. That was expensive but I decided to keep the car rather then sell it.

I bought my 3rd (over the years) W210...Facelift model E200 automatic in Elegance trim fully loaded (leather electric seats with memory, electrically adjustable steering wheel, etc etc) in silver ....it has 244k kms and drives exceptionally well....for 2k euros it is a steal....much less than a used base model Hyundai

What's wrong with you? You've pointed all the issues which come generally in all the vehicles!!!! It's a beautiful machine with a very reliable engine.. I think you were drunk when you were telling us about it's issues!!!

My father has a 1999 E200 in pristine condition. The car looks like it is 2 years old. Interior and engine both like new. 356.000km on it. I am thinking of getting it and maintain it forever. I think these older merc run forever if you service and maintain them properly.

Great review, great car. I have owned a 97 E420 Sport for over ten years. It was my first Mercedes and a real treat with 89,000 miles out of a friends estate. A twenty year old car with the original exhaust system! That is quality. I now have 140,000 miles. The bottom of the car on a lift looks like a two year old Chevy. There was / is some minor rust on the drivers door and around the trunk lock. This was caused by the early use of water based paints. I touch up those spots every couple of years. Repairs : I first had to replace the rear window regulator - which was a simple repair. I have replaced the spark plugs several times along with annual oil changes. A couple of coil packs and post Cat O2s sensors were necessary the first months as the car smelled like it was running rich and had a lumpy idle. Since then it has been smooth and returns 23mpg on trips. Last year at 120,000 the radiator and air conditioner compressor had to be replaced. Then the front springs broke, All this was fixed by my INDY along with motor mounts for about two grand. About the same price as Toyota maintenance, a lot more satisfying.

Was so happy to finally get this review, I have a W210 addiction. Have a '02 E320 4matic sedan, and a '99 E320 4matic wagon pre facelift version. Love them both, want a E55 amg to round out the fleet.

I bought a '99 E320 wagon 6 years ago with 98,000 miles and a full service history. I paid way over the odds for it (about 8500.00), immediately took it to my mechanic, had the conductor plate changed out. I am so glad I bought that car. Smooth, roomy, comfortable, and imposing as only a Benz can be. Absolutely zero rust! No running issues, and only the sunroof has given me any real problems. My heart lay with Citroen, but I'm keeping my W210.

I've got one of those, rust was an issue, but a little TLC and it's looking as new.

I have a 2001 270 CDI WAGON Diesel 5 cylinder, only a few little rust points probably because I live in Italy.

thank you for this content. I watched it for what may be relevant to 1st generation CLK w208 (98).

Excellent guide, thank you

Taking a look at a secondhand 1997 E230 model this coming weekend, and so far it seems like it's going to be a massive upgrade from my current rust bucket. Judging by the images online, there doesn't see to be any rust issues with the car I'm looking at, but I'll definitely keep an eye out for it! (thinking of getting the paint job touched up considering it's a bit faded)

i have owned a e320 and an e430 sport .. the really big thing that i had with those 2 cars was the valve cover gasket