1998 E320, 172K miles, original owner. Usual brakes, fluids, tires, nothing major. Always dealer maintained. Starting to use oil - 1 quart every 5,000 miles. Is this serious? Get a compression test?

Wondering if it's time to trade in. Am I looking at some serious repairs starting to happen? Other than the oil, the car looks almost new! Dealer will tell me to trade it it! A mechanic will tell me to keep it (to get business) What should I do?

 

Sell it you might get 6k,trade 3k and the dealer will make you think he gave you the 3k by building it into the new car deal.She treated you welll.Sell it on craigslist,if you aren't a diy person,the repairs of worn suspension parts that take place in a benz of over 175000 miles are going to run up to the value of the car.Or if all the work has been done,and your happy with the repair bills,drive it into the ground,remember tho the value is going to drop even more in the next few years.
If you like the benz sell it add a few thousand and by a 99-00 for 10g with low miles.
ohlord

 

I thought that a E320 with dealer maintence would last 200-300k miles? Heck my Chevy Astro died at 186k, with zero maintence. Suspension parts gong to die? I was either going to trade it in for a new 2007 BMW 328i of just keep the MBZ another year or two. It looks almost brand new and almost 10-years old. Always garaged. White with Palomini interior. Interior looks new.

 

A. never trade for anything
B.5 months ago bought 1999 E320 wagon,white mint under 100000 miles $9500
C.If you want it to drive like a benz,suspension parts,need to be replaced.
D.A bmw?you are a glutton for punishment,aren't you?To a man and a woman every owner of a new bmw has spent more time in the dealers shop then they have on the road,and that's just the owners I know.Ask around.
E.If you have been letting the dealer do the upkeep on a 1998 E series and continue to do so,the cost of ownership is already so high you may as well keep it until it is worth next to nothing and sell it for parts.3 years tops.
ohlord