Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2001

Haruki

Hi folks, a girl i work with is extremely interested is one of these two, off the top of your heads would there be major issues to watch out for ? She wants to view them herself first before hiring someone to give them a once over. Anything i should warn her about ? In the red ones ad it says "Repair history available" would that imply it had a smack ? And with the black one the mileage is very low, should that set alarms ringing ? Any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class/Elegance/201107201301471/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class/E200-Kom/201108201373526/advert?channel=CARS

The Bishop Basher

Corrosion was the main issue on these. Check the boot lid, the door sills, the wheel arches and anywhere else visible. They are also prone to corrosion on the underside. Have a mechanic check the suspension, bushings etc. They're prone to wear just like any car but can be expensive to fix. It can require rear axle removal in some cases. The engines are solid once they have a good service history but if I was her I'd be looking for the 240. She'd pick one up a lot cheaper and it's a far better drive.

Can't comment on that low mileage other then to say I would be checking and double checking. Mileage on these isn't a concern really but you don't want to be paying over the odds.

Haruki

Cheers Swanner, i have heard of the corrosion issues myself, i thought they sorted that on the later models, interesting. I'll tell her to keep an eye out for that.

bazz26

Repair History available most probably means Service History but be sure to ask the seller the question. The driver's seat on the black well used for a car with less than 50k miles done on it. Verify the service history by ringing the garages that serviced it. If the service history is missing then assume the worst and walk away.

Personally I would not touch that model E Class, it was one of the worst models MB every produced during a period where quality control and excellent engineering fell through the floor.

My money would be on an BMW E39 of similar vintage, better allrounder than the E Class. Something like these:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201106201207626
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201103200901892

The Bishop Basher

While there's some truth to what you say, I disagree with the way a lot of people just write off this model. The sheer volume of them still driving around on Irish roads today is testament to the quality of this car. Yes, there were issues with the steel used at the time but like everything, there are good ones and bad ones. And a good one is a phenomenal car in every way. I had 4 years trouble free motoring in one and doubt I'll ever have a car that felt and drove like it again.

The BMW of that era is unquestionably a great car. But a good 01 E class can rival it in every way.

Ali Babba

Head gaskets are another big issue with these, i'd stay well clear tbh , this particular model wasn't the greatest Merc ever made by a long shot.