Hello everyone, Im new here. I recently been looking into purchasing an older MB. Currently, I am looking at a 1993 400e with 125k. My question for all you is how reliable are these cars over 100k. From what I have read so far on the E-Class it seems that the problems usually occure before 100k and if you make it past that your good til over 200k. Seeing how this is going to be my daily driver and well only mode of transportation I can't have it breaking down on me.

 

Inspect ,inspect, inspect!!!!!!!!!!!
Parts are pricey,mechanics that know how to work on the older models are becoming rare and costly.Wires fry and dry.Parts fail.Unless you are a serious diy'r you should not make this car your dependable daily driver.
Lots of later model 1999-00 E320 on the market with low miles in the 9-11 tho range,parts avail at fair prices,easy to work on.Look before you leap.
ohlord

 

I own a '92 300e w/ 265K miles. Only significant repair has been the replacement of the front axles on the 4matic. Otherwise, aside from a few annoying little electrical issues, nothing other than regular maintenance.

 

Good anwer boyc, could to tell what some of those electrical issures where. Also when these issues occures was the car still operable or no.

 

I agree with ohlord's inspect inspect inspect.

On an older car, it really depends how the car was taken care of by the owner. Imagine two different new MB owners. One takes good care of the car, changes oil regularly, keeps it clean, stays on top of maintenance, and sells a car that can go another 100k. The other does nothing, rarely changes the oil, lets repairs get behind,skips all preventative maintenance, and trades it before it gives out.You must know the difference. It will be the difference between you loving or hating it.

My 190Ecurrently has 350K miles and looks one year old, but its actually 19. The first major repairs have occurred this year. I replaced the fuel injection system. Blue

 

SoCal, none of the electrical issues rendered the car inoperable. They were more, as I believe I mentioned, annoying. They included: auto antenna stopped working, cruise control quit (may be the actuator, so may not be electrical), one of the electric fans died, light in instrument panel goes out sometimes, digital external temperature display cuts out sometimes. The fore/aft motor, then later the tilt motor, on the drivers seat died. Another non-electrical issue was that the power/vacuum locks quit working from the passenger side door. I did have to replace the alternator at one point, but that is to be expected on a car with so many miles.
Of all those remaining issues, I fixed the seat and the fan. I can live with the rest for now. Hope that helps.

 

Well, I'm gonna be purchasing it from a dealership and they offer a 12-month 12,000 miles warranty. I figure with someone that willing to offer that on such a old car with higher miles should have inspected it prett well.

 

Same here. The 190e has never left me stranded. I feel like MB cars from that time period give you six months of warning before anything finally gives out. And if you let a squeek or a grind go six months, it's your fault if it fails fully. Blue

 

From a dealer with a 12 month warranty,they are charging you twice the price of a private sale car with far fewer miles.Where are you located?How much are they charging?

 

I agree, get a unbiased 3rd party inspection by independent M-B specialist. Best $100 you can spend.
My experience is:
1] '91 300e, head gasket at 130k mi. caused by radiator leaks. Should have fixed the radiator sooner.
2] '91 190e, 2.6, head gasket at 72k mi. Unknown cause as perfect engine & maintenance on lo mi. car, not driven much.
Dash lights expensive to replace, but you can learn to DYI if someone demonstrates releasing the cluster.
Electricals are cheaper & simplier to work on in earlier cars. New computer & fly by wire very expensive & seems less reliable if measured over 150+k mile life cycle. Same problem in BMW & VW, etc. #1 failure is computer controls cars '97 & newer.
With older cars I think you will find it cost effective to play on some DYI or it's cheaper to buy a newer car.
Good Luck, Rod