Thoughts on a '95 e320 wagon?
#1
11-30-2008, 11:39 PM
Thoughts on a '95 e320 wagon?
I have always loved the '94-95 e320 Wagons. I owned a low mile '94 e320 Coupe several years ago that was a joy to drive, but I like the utility of the wagon.
I have been looking for one of these quite awhile and examples with less than 100k miles seem impossible to find. I have been told that the weak links on these cars are 1. wiring harness 2. transmission 3. head gaskets. Is there anything else I should add to the list?
I am looking at a very nice '95 with 144k miles on it for $4500. It has had the head gasket replaced but has its original wiring harness and transmission. How pricey are those two repairs? Should I hold out for one that has already had these items addressed? Any other thoughts from folks familiar with these cars?
Thanks,
~Chuck Houston
I have been looking for one of these quite awhile and examples with less than 100k miles seem impossible to find. I have been told that the weak links on these cars are 1. wiring harness 2. transmission 3. head gaskets. Is there anything else I should add to the list?
I am looking at a very nice '95 with 144k miles on it for $4500. It has had the head gasket replaced but has its original wiring harness and transmission. How pricey are those two repairs? Should I hold out for one that has already had these items addressed? Any other thoughts from folks familiar with these cars?
Thanks,
~Chuck Houston
#2
12-01-2008, 12:44 AM
RE: Thoughts on a '95 e320 wagon?
In spite of what you may have heard, the auto W124 transmissions are nearly bullet proof if they have had regular fluid and filter changes. About the only thing the rebuilders do with them is replace the brake/clutch pack and the seals.
A lot of it depends on where the car lived it's life, how much humidity it was exposed to and how the owner took care of it. Unfortunately, there is a continuing theme with these cars wherein the owner gets tired of the high price of repairs and 'coasts' for awhile or, lets the car sit. Either situation is bad, as these cars were made to be driven and maintained.
The wiring harness isn't that bad toreplace. Again, if you throw yourself to the mercy of a MB mechanic you will pay big time.It's far more prudent if you do most of the repairs yourself, because if you go the MB mechanic route, you will soon have far more into the car than it's actually worth-if that's important to you. To me, that's not a 'bargain' with 144K.
You should also consider; the braking system, suspension members and the cats/exhaust, all of which could easily 'exhaust' your finances. Just my thoughts.....
Kevin
A lot of it depends on where the car lived it's life, how much humidity it was exposed to and how the owner took care of it. Unfortunately, there is a continuing theme with these cars wherein the owner gets tired of the high price of repairs and 'coasts' for awhile or, lets the car sit. Either situation is bad, as these cars were made to be driven and maintained.
The wiring harness isn't that bad toreplace. Again, if you throw yourself to the mercy of a MB mechanic you will pay big time.It's far more prudent if you do most of the repairs yourself, because if you go the MB mechanic route, you will soon have far more into the car than it's actually worth-if that's important to you. To me, that's not a 'bargain' with 144K.
You should also consider; the braking system, suspension members and the cats/exhaust, all of which could easily 'exhaust' your finances. Just my thoughts.....
Kevin
#3
12-01-2008, 01:17 AM
RE: Thoughts on a '95 e320 wagon?
$4500 is waay to much.Just the harness is about 8bills if it goes and it will go.Head gasket timing cover issue over a grand.Shop around for a bit and find one that has had those issues taken care of.
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