I am considering buying a 1999 E320 4matic. It belongs to a client of mines elderly mother. The car has 25k miles and has been kept in a garage. What mechanical and maintenance issues should I be leery of? I used to have a 1997 BMW 740il and the maintenance drove me away. Also, what would be a fair price for both of us? The car is in great condition. Thanks.

 

I have a 2002 E320 and its been great to me.I have always heard good about the W210'S (1996-2002) They are built realy good too. As far as price check KBB.COM

 

Never use kbb or nada to estimate the market price of a used car.You will come up with a figure so far above the market that if you are a buyer you will lose you shorts and if you are a seller you will be disappointed with the offers that come in from people that know the real value the market has set.
See my reply on the other forum for caveats and price
ohlord

 

If kbb and nada are no good, how do we determine a fair value? I am sure the seller is going to look at one of those sources to determine a price. Thanks.

 

In top shape real sales of cars sold is the market and the best estimate of that is edmunds.com
A premium of $1600 would be added for a low mile 320 4matic.Only a show car of collector value which it is not, would rate excellent.So a 25k mile E320 4matic comes in at 10k private party sale.It has sat around,the fluids are old,the car has not been driven enough to get to operating temp so condensation will have worked it's way with the catalytic converters.At 25k miles it needs a service B performed.It needs to be inspected.It needs new plugs even though service intervals are 100000 miles on the plugs it is also with the caveat that every 4 years if not at 100000 miles.
It is a low mile car,but the market for it is still a used mercedes market and it is not strong.
Use all of these as barganing chips.Don't use kbb or nada they are how used car dealers set prices and when you talk them down a few hundred they can scream about how you really got a good deal out of them
ohlord
as Ben Franklin said don't pay to much for your whistle http://www.bartleby.com/109/2.html
if you don't do your own diy a single trip to the dealer for the replacement of a mass air sensor can cost upwards of 800 bucks for a part that you can replace for $129 and 10minutes of your time with a screw driver.So get him as low as possible,it is still a 9 year old car with 9 yesar old car issues and mercedes dealers show now mercy on old mercedes they want to make it as uncomfortable as they can to encourage people to buy new every few years.

 

1999 W210s with low miles ... a sure bet. go for it.