Mercedes E Class experience?

[raywillet]

Hey everyone,

I'm a new dad, and just a few days ago the "OMG I GOTTA KID" bug hit me, and I'm on the quest to find the safest car evar. Every time I search, seems like the E Class makes the top of the list for safety. I've been a Ford guy all my life, and just recently got into BMW, so I have no clue as to what a Mercedes offers. Anyone have practical experience with an E Class car. How practical is it as a DD? Is it really safe? Or is it a bunch of gadgets thrown into a car?

[Kershaw]

whats wrong with an e30?

[bmwstudent]

my wife had an e46 325ci before we had our daughter. Just before she was born i bought her a 99 e320 wagon in arctic white. It had 86k on it and we bought it from my 92 granny. She had gotten too old to drive and we got it for a good price. It is an awesome car,lots of power. Rides like a dream, and yes its safe. I love that car.

[bmwstudent]

and congratulation being a new Dad. Its awesome.

[gkobez]

Mercedes 210 chassis's are excellent vehicles, reliable and safe.

[raywillet]

whats wrong with an e30?

Nothing, or nothing that I know of for right now. The PO of my craigspace wonder told me he had replaced the head gasket blah blah blah... blown engine, need a new one. Definitely looking forward to driving it. Did some donuts in my field next to my house while spewing white steam out the tailpipe on this old engine... fun.

Really just looking to class up my lady and my son into something luxury. Right now they're rolling in a 2006 Toyota Sienna, which is awesome with the carseat and the stroller and the pack and play and the other 50 lbs of stuff that comes with a kid. Thinking of what to replace this van with. Like I said, I've been a Ford guy, but right now we both make pretty decent moneys, no debt other than the house, and never really splurged on something. Looking towards the near future.

And bmwstudent, thanks! It totally is awesome. He's 4 months, so right now we are in the stage of him being able to focus on stuff, and me doing everything in my power to get him to laugh. Best thing evar!

[raywillet]

blown engine, need a new one.

HA! Quoted myself. Don't necessarily 'need' a new engine, but the PO did so many magical things to this car, and then let it sit for 4 years, that I'd prefer replacing this engine with something that is known good rather than dropping any more monays into it. And so would the wife.

[trackjunkie21]

W210 is a perfect DD. I had a 99 e320 and my grandfather currently has a 2002 e320 4matic. Parts are twice as expensive as BMW parts but they are pretty sound and sturdy. Very comfortable car.

[FLG]

What year e-class?

My friend has had a 96 and a 98, his brother wrecked the 96.

I liked the 96 over the 98 due to the fact it was a nice simple inline 6 while the 98 is a v6.

Having worked on both his cars, the inline (as we know) is simple to work on, tune ups are easy, and there reliable. Only issue with the inline is they all leak oil from the head gasket due to an inherent design flaw...nothing really meaningful, no need to add anything between oil changes..more of just a nuisance.

The v6 though i HATE!

Besides that they both were reliable, the v6 has 150+k on it and is doing well.
First off tune ups?? Be prepared to spend twice as much (2 plugs per cylinder) and more than twice as long. Also they have known harmonic balancer issue and its not as smooth as the inline.

Also it likes to go though CAT's

[mikeedler]

I don't think the Mercedes is really any safer than anything else in that class. Any 12-15y/o car really isn't that safe compared to most newer cars(are the airbags and safety items really still o.k.)- plus Mercedes like to rust and get soft. Buy a Cadillac Escalade if you want a safe tank.

I am sure a new 1er is alot safer than a 15y/o 7er- so just because it was expensive doesn't really make it safe. think of maint. prices that will be coming up too with a car that old- mercedes parts aren't cheap.

[Xat1cZ]

I don't know how easily cars rust down there put in Finland having one of those that's not rusty like hell is rare... srsly tho' in 1 year we had 4 of those come by for a respray and both front fenders had to be replaced + make new mounting points for them because they were so damn rusted out.... OFC the rest of the cars were bad too but those points were the worst.... so it was actually more of a body repair + respray

but again these were cars that had been driven on salty roads for a few years... but still bad.

[Chruby99]

What is wrong with a sienna. Those are nice safe reliable cars. If you really want safe. Get a F350 Crew cab. I was rear ended in my 88 Crew Cab by a Ford Explorer going 100+ mph while I was doing 45. The Explorer was totaled and My truck suffered a pushed in bumper. The driver and passenger of the explorer were unscathed as they were naked and drunk. The three children (1 infant) in my back seat were unscathed and me and my sister suffered from whip lash. They did not even damage my tail lights or tailgate. And if you get a 2wd turbo diesel you can get 14- 19 mpg or better. And for reliability My 88 had 500,000 miles on the original engine with the original IP,1 rebuilt tranny, and 3 water pumps. MY 97 I drive now is a gasser with horrible gas milage but at 180,000 miles it still runs like new without any leaks and has only needed a water pump, radiator and 1 fuel pump. The motor should go another 100,000 before talking of a rebuild. I hear that a 460 should go 400,000 to 500,000 if you can keep it maintained. But with 8-12 mpg on a 4x4 I will most likely sell it off to find another turbo diesel.

[bmwstudent]

Safest thing out there is the M1A1, plus its got a lot of firepower too. And people will get out of your way. You must replace the tank tracks often though if you ride on the road. Tanks are more of an off road vehicle

[tjts1]

Mercedes 210 chassis's are excellent vehicles, reliable and safe.

Until a front spring perch rusts off.


Otherwise nice cars. It was the first MB with rack and pinion steering and the last (in the US) with an inline 6. I wouldn't mind a wagon with the V6, a nice rust free SoCal car. The V6 M112 has proven to be more reliable than the M104 inline 6, more fuel efficient and lighter. I still can't get over the oval headlights.

[will61]

e38, problem solved!