I am a [potential] first time buyer of a 1999 E320... it has 127k on the clock has been fully maintained by MB.

Seller states: catalytic converter may need changingand tires, for sure,as well. The car consumes 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. Current driver (good friend of mine)does only city driving and about 6000 miles a year... selling because she bought a new E320.

Advice I am seeking: what else should I be looking for? Are there other major maintenances on the horizon? Are things like the timing belt already in the 100k servicing of an E320? I have the car for a test drive this week-end and will take it to MB. Should I have compression ratios checked etc?

I currently own a Mercury Gran Marquis, bought this for my wife because of its size, ease of maintenance --obviously not in the same class of car --but it has zero problems at 123k and I don't see any on the horizon.

The Mercedes matches her handbag, though... :-) ...just wondering if it matches my wallet !?

Thanks for helping me out.

 

Evergreen, if it is using a quart of oil every 1000 miles, I would stay far away from it. It's either got a bad leak(s), or the rings or valves are shot. 1 qt. between oil changes could be acceptable, 3 qts. between changes is a bad deal.

 

Aha! definitely no leaks, it is garaged and I have visited the garage plenty of times, nary a drop...funny though, there is absolutelyno blue smoke either. I will check with the seller again to see if she meant every 10,000 miles (I asked twice, she is over cautious by nature). The car is in pristine condition. Asking price is $5000.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

If it is clean and has been maintained by the dealer and everything works and the tires are good and the brakes are good,get it change the trans fluid mb spec fluid and diy on benzworld.org w210 section diy.Then put 2 cans of engine flush in and let it idle for 20 minutes,that may be enough to free up the rings that are causing the increased oil consumption.Then change the oil per the diy on mercedesshop.com diy section oil change part 2.
If it helps great if not it will cut the loss down some and you add as needed.
With 99's with less then 100k miles in near mint condition dropping into the low 9's see if she will take 4G do the above and do your own diy maintenance and drive happy
parts at www.autohausaz.com
more members at benzworld.org and mbworld.org
I have the special dip stick needed for the trans fluid for $40 delivered with tips on easing the job.
good luck
ohlord
I am up in Mill Creek if you need help.Small world

 

Thanks for the advice Ohlord. Took it to the mechanic yesterday. Car got a clean bill of health. Compression is fine. Maintenance records are complete. Said she drives like a charm. Suspects thatthe seller is being over cautious.

Will take the actionsyou recommend nevertheless.I am figuring it can only do good at this stage for the car. Do I need to keep running this car on premium gas? or can I move to regular? Thanks...

 

only premium

 

premium only,and get the trans fluid changed per the diy on benzworld.org w210 section.
I have the special dipstick for $40 delivered.
enjoy it,but try to get it for less to make up for the oil deal.
ohlord