"Dann" (ammerty)
12/22/2013 at 02:09 • Filed to: None
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"Dann" (ammerty)
12/22/2013 at 02:09 • Filed to: None | 0
| 19 |
I'm weighing up my options for my next DD, which I hope to get in the next 12 months. The Magna has been a dutiful DD for me in the last almost 40k miles I have owned it, but I need a change (and my wife wants the Magna anyway, which gives me an out)
I have narrowed down a few Euros that make the shortlist
'96-01 Mercedes Benz W210 (preferably E320, but will consider E240) sedan or estat
It would be likely I will take a step backwards, age-wise, with a W210, but I can't resist the style and potential for improvement. From what I have researched they also seem to be one of the most reliable and well-engineered Merc models, along with the W124. The most pressing reliability woe seems to be front spring perches going rusty, which shouldn't be an issue in Australia due to lack of snow and long-term inclement weather. The six-cylinder engines seem to be pretty bulletproof aside from the M104s.
'02-08 Saab 9-5 sedan or SportEstate
One of my all-time favourite cars, especially in estate form. The lack of dealer support in Australia concerns me, with one main warehouse/dealer in Australia and a small number of independent workshops/wreckers peppered throughout major centres, the immediacy of parts supply could be an issue, along with mechanics prepared to undertake work on it.
'04-09 Volvo S60 2.5T (FWD or AWD
Another car I have had longstanding adoration for. The smallish interior in comparison to the other may prove to be its downfall, but the package otherwise (post-2004, once most of the transmission issues were sorted) suits my tastes and requirements well.
'05-09 Volvo V50 T5 wagon
For much the same reasons as the S60, and the added Jalop-ness of wagon.
It may not be a very Oppo/Jalop shortlist for some, but in comparison to my current car, they're in another ballpark.
Your opinions would be appreciated!
Ian Duer (320b)
> Dann
12/22/2013 at 02:18 |
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For what it's worth I just picked up a '97 900s... It's a step down from the 9-5 you're considering, and a few years older, but it's not bad. Can't say I'm exactly a "Saab Guy" yet. It's only been like 5 days though and it's already growing on me a bit. That is all.
alexotics
> Dann
12/22/2013 at 03:18 |
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Do not get the Merc. Things will go wrong. And it will cost you an arm and a leg. Friend of mine has a low mileage E430 imported from Germany when it was one year old, and while it's a smooth ride, the gearbox is pretty notchy and the maintenance bill has been eye watering. And not just for routine maintenance, just for silly things like having to replace a keyfob or a muffler. Things that shouldn't be going wrong.
m2m, apex detective
> Dann
12/22/2013 at 05:13 |
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S60 all the way.
Also, remember that the E-Class is from the forbidden Merc period, so if you don't feel particularly generous, make sure to avoid it.
wacopalypsenow
> Dann
12/22/2013 at 05:32 |
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99' E430 owner here. Some important things to consider.
1. Can you turn a wrench? Use Google? If not, then yes it is a costly car to drive.
2. Do you believe in periodic maintenance? No? Buy a Camry.
In the end, it takes some work, and yes some aspects of that era are cheap and shitty, but you will be driving a Goddamn Mercedes Benz....let the panties begin to drop.
(Full Disclosure: Panty dropping and/or the quality of female doing the dropping may vary)
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Dann
> wacopalypsenow
12/22/2013 at 06:23 |
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I do most of the maintenance on my cars (more involved jobs like timing belts/chains, suspension, etc I leave to my mechanic); and I am pretty obsessive with scheduled maintenance and using quality service items/fluids.
Can you please elaborate on some of the cheap and shitty aspects of the W210?
Slant6
> Dann
12/22/2013 at 10:48 |
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I have a 2000 9-5 "estate" (I call it a sport wagon). It has about 176,xxx miles on the original clutch. Previous owners replaced the turbo at 110,xxx and I replaced the DIC at 170,xxx. It has aged really well. The interior build quality is underrated. The car will turn 14 next month and the only thing wrong with the inside is a small crack on the hazards button. The exterior is also pretty straight. The paint is great, the rear passenger door has one spot where the clear coat is starting to peel. I love it. I bought it for $400 usd which was the best deal ever (it needed a water pump). All my repairs have been done by a local Euro shop that specializes in Range Rovers and Jags. If I need computer work done there is a shop that has the Saab tech unit one city over. It's a great car. Get a manual.
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Slant6
> Ian Duer (320b)
12/22/2013 at 10:54 |
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You own a Saab. Now you're a Saab guy. There is no turning back.
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wacopalypsenow
> Dann
12/22/2013 at 11:14 |
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Chassis:
1.Watch for spring perch rust. I cannot emphasis enough.
2.End links and sway bushings need replaced often. They make clunking sounds at low speed turns; otherwise, not a problem. (1.5 hour job DIY)
Body:
1.Rust. (Rear fenders especially)
2. Fitment (lots of stuff loosens up, no big deal though)
Transmission:
1.Drain/Flush replace filter every 20,000. Very important. Early w210 up to 1998 seem to have more tranny issues. '99 onward component became more solid.
ESP/ABS:
1.Prone to Gremlins, but parts are cheap and available from E-bay and German parts sites.
Engine:
1.Rock fuckin solid.
If your gonna own a Mercedes, find a Indy mechanic that has the star-soft scanner and software; otherwise, dealers charge about $100 a scan. This diagnostic system is separate from the OBDII that the car also has, but can diagnosis way more than just common OBD.
Cheap and shitty aspect is just in little things, like the damn rear door window regulators going out, or the $20 brake pedal switch that if out throws a malfunction in the whole ESP/ABS system.
This site is the best tool a W210 owner can have..
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-…
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Ian Duer (320b)
> Slant6
12/22/2013 at 16:23 |
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Uh-oh. Does this mean I have to move to New England now? Is that how this works?
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Dann
> Slant6
12/22/2013 at 17:19 |
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Thats heartening to hear, I know the 9-5s are pretty reliable, but its always good to hear some first hand experience.
Being an earlier model 9-5, you haven't had sludge issues? (though that may explain the turbo replacement)
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Slant6
> Dann
12/22/2013 at 17:31 |
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It's always run full synthetic and that's supposed to let you dodge the recalled parts, which aren't a free fix anymore.
Mathias Rios
> Dann
12/22/2013 at 20:41 |
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I own a ML320, which would have the same engine as most of the W210 E320's except the straight six, and I can vouch for the reliability of that engine as long as you keep up with normal maintenance, and if you can wrench it is very cheap to own.
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Dann
> Mathias Rios
12/23/2013 at 01:41 |
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Glad to hear, I'm no stranger to DIY routine maintenance.
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Dann
> wacopalypsenow
12/23/2013 at 01:45 |
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Thanks for the pointers, I've been researching Benzworld and MBWorld forums for some time, and from the feedback there and research elsewhere suggests the gremlins and issues you mentioned aside, it is a pretty solid proposition.
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Dann
> m2m, apex detective
12/23/2013 at 01:49 |
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The forbidden period seems to be a point of conjecture depending on who you talk to. Some say the W124s were the last of the golden Mercs, others say the W210s. No doubt quality slipped from the W211/W203 (or even W202) though.
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Dann
> Ian Duer (320b)
12/23/2013 at 01:52 |
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Nope, you'll be relocated to Portland and issued a handicrafts store by NEVS henchmen.
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Ian Duer (320b)
> Dann
12/23/2013 at 01:55 |
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I assume we're speaking of Portland OR... I'm ok with this... I think...
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m2m, apex detective
> Dann
12/23/2013 at 04:52 |
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I have to admit that I am somewhat biased by what I've been told about them. A friend of mine has a facelifted W211 and he has had no trouble with it so far ... but it is said around here (where I live, that is) that they got rid of most of its teething troubles with the facelift of that generation.
Taxis here used to be all W210 or W211 and VW Passat. There's still tons of Passat taxis around, but there's considerably less Mercedes models these days. I've known one driver for a while that ran a W210 for ages before switching to a W211 wagon, but he was super-skeptic about their long-term viability. It probably depends a lot on what particular specimen you pick, too.
bob and john
> Dann
01/23/2014 at 07:27 |
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those 2.3L motor last for freaking ever if you give them the right attention
that said, so do that volvos.