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

Buying a used Mercedes-Benz E class W210 - produced from 1995 to 2003

What is the best engine, which gearbox should you choose, what are the common problems with these cars? How powerful are the best engines? Watch the video and you will get answers to all these questions!

What to look for when buying a used Mercedes E-class W 210 advice / guide

used Mercedes E-class W210 saloon / sedan
used Mercedes E-class S210 estate / station wagon

used Mercedes E class W210 review

Mercedes E200, E200 kompressor, E230, E240, E280, E320, E420, E430, E200 D, E200 CDI, E220 D, E220 CDI, E250 D, E250 TD, E270 CDI, E290 TD, E300 D, E300 TD, E320 CDI

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different car review

[thomaswilbornjr]

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

[mauriciocosta]

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.

[Bonbonbon]

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!

[joemccoy]

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

[dlwst]

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.

[bobmaichin]

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.

Still have this beauty as my daily driver, with my "new" 2004 SL500 for the weekends.

I highly recommend the whole Mercedes Used car experience.

PS - Both my cars were "Mercedes Certified Pre owned" that were sold when their warranties were expired. The owners took full advantage of their warranties and left me with few issues. Dirt Cheap for what you are getting.

[dlwst]

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.

[Boxer]

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.

[Takethiskeycard]

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.

[Markdc]

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

[billh]

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.

[junkmail]

I've got one of those, rust was an issue, but a little TLC and it's looking as new.
My advise for rust check, make sure you look at these spots before buying one.

Front wings (remove the wings to treat, if you can)
Front wheel arch rust (Behind the wheel by the front of the engine)
Rear wheel arch (you may have to remove rear bumper)
Boot, by the spear wheel housing it has known rust problem coming from behind the bumper.
Remove Side Skirts, front and back of chassis has rust issue, and under the car where the jack position is.
Treat all those areas and the reste is easy basic maintenance.
This car is a work horse, just point it in the right direction...

[Jkstolz]

Mine is almost 19 years old and its rust free. Scottsdale, Arizona is very dry.

[MrOzzyCam]

I have a 1996 model E320 Avantgarde in Australia and it doesn't have a single spot of rust.... It has been a good car. It is the inline 6 version. Smooth to drive but if you do put the pedal to the metal, it takes off like a rocket! 246K on it and it still goes strong.

[MrSunnybass]

I have a 2001 270 CDI WAGON Diesel 5 cylinder, only a few little rust points probably because I live in Italy.
My car has reached 465000 km without Serious problems and still goes very well!

[fawzi]

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

[teoyamahar]

I just got one and it’s in limp mode so I gotta get it out. Super clean and excellent shape. 500$ couldn’t pass it up

[BlodSport]

320 CDI and almost 200k km. Runs buttery smooth so far. Current (but known) issues: failure of hood-fasteners (left won't lock - right won't open). Also, if anyone bought theirs with a worn auto-gearbox, change oil every 30'000 km and refill it often. Before you go for a long travel, maintain the gearbox or make sure to not load your car too heavily. You can also just make sporadic pauses to cool down your gearbox

[ilievskiilia]

in my opinion when you are making review for this type of car, it would be good to quote also the amg versions and wich one is the best of course ;) anyway, thumps up

[georginenov]

Greetings from Bulgaria,
W210 E320 CDI I have the car already 13 years .
Total 850 000km half of them made by me .
Car came from Italy and there was not a single rusty spot, later with the time it appears but I am repairing immediately .
I bought lots of cars during the years but I still keeping my w210 . It is a favorite car for me.
Cars in the garage W140 350 TD, W123 200D, W221 s500 4matic .
I love all of them and if the times are good and it will be possible to maintain them properly I will never never sell them.