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Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Thanks for your comments!
Revka
Host/Hatchbacks & Wagons
b in virginia
We recently purchased a '98 wagon as well for closer to $28k - dealer wanted $32k for similar mileage. The only advice I can give is to make sure you have the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic. The one we purchased was the second one we had inspected. When the first one was inspected, the car literally broke down after going two blocks from the dealership. The second one came back a lot better, but we still used some issues to negotiate the price. Hope this helps and please post a follow up.
Many thanks for your input. After reading your email and noting that Consumer reports listed the E-Class as a used car to avoid, we enlisted our local Mercedes repair shop. Not only did they give the car a clean bill of health, they also gave us a great deal on the extended warranty. The peace of mind of the inspection and the warranty, coupled with a great car has made the queen rather happy.
You may also be interested in checking out the Consumer Reviews for the 98 E320 in our Used Vehicle guide. A lot of good information there. Good luck, and please keep us posted on your MB E320 wagon experience.
Thanks for your participation! ;-)
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
1. Model Year & Total miles to date.
2. MPG (City/Highway).
3. Any additional Accessories & Mods?
4. Maintenance issues to date.
5. Any interesting trips or cargo experiences?
6. Overall impressions pro/cons of your E-Class wagon
since you first purchased....
Share as much or as little information as you like. I'm sure other owners/enthusiasts, passing through here, would find the information quite interesting... if not helpful.
Also, you can report back every 3-5k to update again. Thanks for your participation, and happy motoring! ;-)
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Mine is a 1995, date of manufacture August 1994. White with blue interior. It started life in Rhode Island as a dealer's service wagon, then was sold to a woman in Mass. who, I deduce from the service records, drove a lot and was probably on-the-road sales. It also apparently made the Florida run often in its early years. I bought the car in July of 2000 with 120,000 miles on it for about $16,200. Current mileage is 174,000.
Repair history:
120,311 miles: Front brake pads, rotors, struts.
120,567: Drivers side window stuck.
125,708: Replaced rear load-leveling shocks. Power steering system serviced.
128,265: Transmission repair to fix reverse.
152,530: Replaced engine wiring harness and battery.
168,000: Replaced air conditioning evaporator.
Misc. repairs included a tail-light lens (probably done in by a shopping cart); an exhaust pipe hole; and the sunroof stuck open. The car's current repair needs are the transmission O-rings and rear pinion seal. It also needs a new windshield, it's so pitted that if you're driving into the sun or against oncoming headlights it's dangerous.
I also had complete services done at 120,311 and 150,951 and tires at 128,061 (Michelins, w/alignment) and 155,406 (Toyos, holding up fine). Oil changes all done on schedule.
ONE MORE THING: The "check engine" light was an intermittent annoyance beginning the day we bought the car. The EGR valve is bad, but I'm going to wait till the engine needs more major work before replacing it. The car runs fine and starts good. We don't have emissions testing where I live. When the A/C evaporator was replaced, they dismantled the entire dashboard, and I thus had the opportunity to "fix" the check engine light. I'm sure this is pretty common. I wish I had thought to ask them to replace the front stereo speakers also! They are worn out.
My mechanic advised me in very strong terms not to use the gooey stuff to fix the A/C leak. I trust the guy. He said he had to replace a compressor once after doing this, on his dime.
I get 25 mpg on the highway at 75 mph, with that nice in-line 6. I love the car.
So who's next? Anyone else have a vehicle update they'd like to share...? ;-)
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
And I have to say that it's been a quality car - 1 year of ownership and no brake repairs or exhaust repairs. This would be unprecedented for a Japanese car in the 4th year. We bought it new tires, and the dealer $400 oil change.
1. Model Year & Total miles to date.
1998 43,000
2. MPG (City/Highway).
As low as 16, as high as 25 (it loves the open road and 80 mph)
3. Any additional Accessories & Mods?
We have dogs. I got a cargo tray and a fabulous seat cover for the back seat from Over The Top in England.
4. Maintenance issues to date.
NADA! It is a little persnickety about having the gas cap screwed tightly or the Check Engine light comes on. But another charm of the car is that it "comes with someone to talk to". I called the 800 number and they pinpointed the cause and reassured me.
5. Any interesting trips or cargo experiences?
It has a huge cargo area and I carried a couch back from the store.
6. Overall impressions pro/cons of your E-Class wagon since you first purchased....
A quality vehicle (albeit large) that is practically worth the money.
The seller wants 7k which seems reasonable - vehicle has passenger airbag, leather, 3rd row seat.
http://www.mbusa.com/byo/pop_opt_pack.jsp?code=0819&type=o&am- p;model=C320W
So my question is: are all new cars boring and plush to the point of blandness? What about a 99 or 2000 MB320 wagon? I can find one with low mileage for about the same price or less than the Volvo. But do they have any character at all?
To bmushinsky - If you're looking for a MB 1999-2003 MB wagon to purchase, you may want to check out this page at Edmunds: Used Car Prices, Listings & Info.
Good luck, and please keep us posted.... ;-)
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
My wife is considering a e320 wagon. I have some questions. What else besides the steering wheel changed between '99 and '00? She is getting rid of her 528iT for this MB. The BMW is just not very big in the cargo area, even thou it is bigger than an x5.
How are the owenership cost and should I consider an aftermarket warranty?
Also, were heated seat a stand alone option or did they come in a package? The bmw has cold weather package which includes htd seats, htd steering wheel and headlight washers.
Thank you in advance.
Andrew
I currently own a 2001 Volvo XC70 and the lease is coming to an end. My first thought was to get another XC, but after driving my parents E320 wagon and reading some reviews, I am contemplating buying a used E320 Wagon. One feature that I will definitely want is the LATCH system for car seats. Can anyone tell me when Mercedes started installing the LATCH into the Wagon? also does Mercedes make an retrofit kit to install into earlier years that don't have the LATCH system?
Any years better than others in people's opinions, and also what should I reasonably expect out of a late model wagon ('99 or newer). What I mean is if I am going to purchase a used vehicle with miles on it, how many miles should a wagon get out of it before you start to run into major problems.
Thanks,
mark
I've been investigating the VW Toureg. Now that's a hell of a vehicle! Maybe in a couple years when VW isn't quite so proud of them and the diesel is available. I'd have to change my radical "anti-SUV" stance, though. Maybe my pro-diesel stance would make it less of a sell-out.
Can you describe how the changer is mounted? The only thing I can visualize is cutting off the plastic parts that hold the first-aid kit, and fabricating a bracket that would attach above the washer-fluid reservoir.
Help?
Thanks.
I bet they will have numerous cancellations and unhappy customers... just wait until the automotive press realizes what they have done to what was a great automobile. I challenge anyone from M-B to repond with an explanation
Length, width and wheelbase of the car has increased slightly. You pose a good question...Where did the space go?
I' am sure they looked at the typical profile of the 1st time buyers and saw fewer folks in the age bracket with small children. I am not sure what profiles they keep on the pre-owned or second hand units. I don't doubt that in the not too distant future the 3rd seat will all but disappear.
So when the new wagons arrived at the dealer my 12 year old daughter and I had to have a look. She climbed into the 3rd row seat as I checked out the view from the cockpit. "Dad, they messed up! This car is smaller than ours. We can't get it!" In addition to the new sloped roof, I think the spare is in the floor which of course raises the rear seat and reduces the headroom.
There are plenty of small wagons out there, including MB's own C. What were MB thinking?
There are several families in our neck of the woods who are 1st time MB owners because the E's were the only large luxury wagons available. There are plenty of us who are just too snobby to be caught dead in a minivan and SUV's just aren't politically correct! Restore the cargo space!
That ain't right.