2003 E320 Wagon (is it a good deal?)

[rhondapb]

I am not sure if I am posting to the right forum, but I just wanted some advice on a 2003 E320 Wagon that is for sale. They are selling it for $24K and it has 35,000 miles. Is this a good price and do you know of any technical problems with this year? Thank for ANY help.......

[POS]

2003 was a 1/2 year for the wagon, but the best. For that one year, all wagons were heavily optioned. The 2003 is the last of a long line of 210s, so it should have the bugs worked out of it.

$24,000 is a lot for a 2003 wagon, but considering the low miles it sounds about right. Keep in mind, the higher price you pay, the farther you fall in depreciation. If you'll keep the wagon for a long time, it's worth it.

[rhondapb]

Thanks for your help. Its in really good condition, I was just concerned about the 'bugs' for that year, but from what you say there should be little. It is a beautiful car. My parents both driver Mercedes over in Europe and those cars just keep on going! I am looking for a 3rd row of seats, and this wagon has that.

Ever sat in the third row of an ML, any idea on the room back there? It was another possibility I was looking at. It was down to an MDX, Pilot or Mercedes...Thanks for your help... I am really limited on my options out here, living on an island!

[rhondapb]

by the way what do you mean by a 1/2 year?

[Steven Long]

For 2003, the sedan was made in the new body style (W211), while the wagon was made in the previous body style (W210). When a new body style is introduced, it is not uncommon to release a limited number of variations on a vehicle (supposedly, to work out the kinks in the manufacturing process), while other variations are still produced via the previous body style.

I would agree on the "no more bugs". I had a 2000 E320 sedan, and also currently own a 2002 E320 4Matic sedan. Very nice cars - not too many electronic gizmos and gadgets to go wrong, and drain your wallet after the warranty expires. FWIW - the W211 cars are a tad smaller on the inside, as compared to the W210.

I believe ALL W210 wagons included the third seat - but I could be wrong. You might want to get the VMI and Repair history printed out from a MB dealer (some will only give this to you if you can prove ownership of the vehicle, or purchase it from them). The VMI will show all options, and original MSRP of the vehicle.

I went to MBUSA.com, and printed out all available 2003 wagons from MB dealers across the country. Keep in mind, these are all CPO vehicles, which carry balance of factory warranty (if any), plus 1 year CPO warranty, and are eligible for an additional 2 years of warranty (at extra cost). If you are buying privately, or from a non-MB dealer ... expect to pay less. E320S4 = E320 4Matic Wagon; E320S = E320 Wagon (rear wheel drive):

E320S4
$29,995 36533 Desert Silver
$50,000 42179 Alabaster White
$26,850 59661 Brilliant Silver
$30,986 56280 Black
$38,407 45775 Brilliant Silver
$25,900 59398 Capri Blue
$43,995 23008 Brilliant Silver

E320S
$21,900 62411 Desert Silver
$33,888 33082 Desert Silver
$35,995 49627 Obsidian Black
$34,935 47743 Brilliant Silver

Wagons can be highly sought after ... in which case, the RIGHT vehicle can be worth a lot to the RIGHT individual. Good luck, and LMK if you have any other questions.

[rhondapb]

Wow, what a great help! I have in fact got the local guy who services the MB cars on the island looking into that particular vehicle. I will see if I can get any further info. on it too. If I can get it for $22K it sounds from your numbers that you gave me that it would be an excellent deal! It has a 3rd row of seats, what by the way is 4matic?

I am trying to be reallly informed before I go in to make an offer! Thanks....

[Steven Long]

4Matic is full-time ALL WHEEL DRIVE. If the car has 4Matic, there would be "4Matic" lettering on the right/rear of the trunk lid. Because of the 4matic transfer case, the W210 4matic's use a slightly different set of floor mats (actually, the RF mat is the only one that is different). You should remember this, in case you purchase new mats, or all season mats. If you car is NOT 4Matic, I have a set of all-season mats available for sale.

As part of your pre-purchase inspection, check the following:

1) AM radio reception fuzzy? AM amplifier's typically go bad after a period of time.

2) Radio sounds like it crackles from time to time (AM/FM)? Speakers (especially rear) can crap out, and need replacement.

3) Check for proper operation of rear power windows from ALL window switches (drivers switches, as well as rear door switches). Make sure they go up 100%, and down 100% wthout any problems, or noises. The rear windows in a W210 are quite large, and the window lift mechanism can sometimes break, requiring replacement of the mechanism. Quite typical for rear windows in a W210. $250+/- per window

4) MAKE SURE ALL COMPONENTS OF THE DIGITAL DASH are visible, without any loss of pixels. Replacement of the dash is quite expensive.

5) As with any pre-owned MB - check for when the next Service is due (via COMAND on steering wheel). It should tell you when the next service is due ... whether it is Service "A" or "B". One of these service jobs can be $300 - $400, while the other is more (when performed at MB dealer).

6) I would suspect that your front brakes and rear brakes are original. The front brakes may need to be replaced soon. This may be the case for front rotors as well. This would be $500+ at a MB dealer.

7) Check the condition of the battery (located under the rear seat, passenger side). MB battery's are supposedly maintenance free, and are often NEVER checked or maintained. If the battery has openings for each individual battery cell, check the level of the water (add distilled water as required). If the level is low, the life of the battery may be hindered. Regardless, I would check with a battery tester. This is $150+ at a MB dealer. Based upon the age of the vehicle, I'd say it is likely due for a replacement.

8) Run a CarFax! Aside from the obvious, look for number of previous owners.

These items would typically be checked by an MB dealer as part of their CPO process.