Hello:

I am considering purchasing a '97 E420 next week. Its cost is under $4k, has 169K miles. Running carfax as we speak. I've never owned a car (that I bought), and am looking for a car that's both classy and reasonably reliable. Of course everyone around me says to go Nissan/Honda...and i'm open to that, but sorta have my heart set on a german (read: MB) vehicle. I've been warned against MBs because of exorbitant maintenance costs.

Considering this is my 'official' 1st car, and it's 11 years old, what costs (repairs, maintenance) should I be prepared for? Anything under the hood I should be aware of? Anything you would do as soon as you drove it off the lot?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated...I want to be sure I'm making a good (if not great) purchase.

Thanks,
Xa

 

W210 E Class is a great car. Get it inspected before purchase. 169k is a lot of miles. Make sure the car fax is clean, take it for a long test drive and watch for rust and other things that can occure in a used car. As far as issues I have a 2002 E320 that has been great. You can have just as many issues with any car. Weather it be a Nissan or Mercedes. Good Luck

 

Be prepared to learn how to work on your own car.Mercedes can be very costly to repair if you don't get you own parts and do your own maint and repairs.
www.autohausaz.com for parts.You need to change your trans fluid and filter mb spec only.Never wash a M119 engine they hate water.Get it inspected before you buy it.For a few grand more you could get a newer model v6 E320 with fewer miles and easier to work on,better mpg.
with those miles and the usual condition that those miles create pay not a dime above $2500 and less if the tires are not nearly brand new.