2000-2002 E320 CDi. What to look for?
Discussion
Contemplating my next car and the E320 CDi estate of around this vintage seems to fit all my requirements.
I'm aware of the rust issues with these vehicles but are there any other troublesome parts to pay attention to or is the rest pretty bomb proof?
Any advice appreciated.
Many thanks
I'm aware of the rust issues with these vehicles but are there any other troublesome parts to pay attention to or is the rest pretty bomb proof?
Any advice appreciated.
Many thanks
Not too bad if you discount rust as you've mentioned.
They are prone to thermostats failing (staying open), usual sign is temp gauge doesn't go over halfway.
Mass airflow sensors are common (won't kick down or rev over 3,000)
EGR valves can fail and/or become clogged up (lots of smoke out the back), easiest mod is to wire in a shunt to deactivate it. They can be cleaned also.
Dash pixel displays fail (they all do that sir) - can be fixed though.
Otherwise just check it's been serviced regularly. Worth having the gearbox oil changed if no record if it being done (around £150-180 from an indy).
Had mine 3 years or so and other than the rust (mine isn't too bad but needs attention soon) they're a good cruiser.
I'm booked in for an injector replacement next month as it's developing a slight "knocking" on heavy load.
They are prone to thermostats failing (staying open), usual sign is temp gauge doesn't go over halfway.
Mass airflow sensors are common (won't kick down or rev over 3,000)
EGR valves can fail and/or become clogged up (lots of smoke out the back), easiest mod is to wire in a shunt to deactivate it. They can be cleaned also.
Dash pixel displays fail (they all do that sir) - can be fixed though.
Otherwise just check it's been serviced regularly. Worth having the gearbox oil changed if no record if it being done (around £150-180 from an indy).
Had mine 3 years or so and other than the rust (mine isn't too bad but needs attention soon) they're a good cruiser.
I'm booked in for an injector replacement next month as it's developing a slight "knocking" on heavy load.
What he said above really, I just bought exactly that, e320 cdi Avantgarde estate with 7 seats. I have had to have one injector done, the maf replaced, and mine has the issues mentioned above, all of them lol, mine is pretty clean on the body but a word of warning they rot in the boot, pull back the covers at each side, one houses the spare wheel on the left, mine had a pretty big hole on the right side so please check there. It was easy to get it sorted so make sure you use these point to pay a decent price. Mine was £1800 with 130k and it is a great old car, I'm getting the faults sorted as I have a very good merc Indy.
There is a neat fix for the dash pixels using a piece of mouse mat material, the track dries out and lifts off the board which means the pixels don't show, so you wedge a piece of mouse mat inbetween to push the track back down and hey presto all the pixels come back.
Mine currently won't go past 3000 rpm but it drives ok even in safe mode, it's going in again to have this sorted and the thermostat replaced as it doesn't get past 50 degrees in this cold weather, should be 80-90. That said it's still returning 35 mpg and this will only get better once the thermostat is replaced.
One thing to check is the injectors, if you have a very skilled Indy they can get them out but there is a risk they have to be forced out and replaced with a new one. Your looking for a chuffing noise when you listen under the bonnet, a smell of diesel and residue on the plastic cover might also be visible. The bill to replace the injector seal and maf was £200 btw.
They are very good cars but like any big old bus they need to be maintained and mine hadn't been for the last three years really.
There is a neat fix for the dash pixels using a piece of mouse mat material, the track dries out and lifts off the board which means the pixels don't show, so you wedge a piece of mouse mat inbetween to push the track back down and hey presto all the pixels come back.
Mine currently won't go past 3000 rpm but it drives ok even in safe mode, it's going in again to have this sorted and the thermostat replaced as it doesn't get past 50 degrees in this cold weather, should be 80-90. That said it's still returning 35 mpg and this will only get better once the thermostat is replaced.
One thing to check is the injectors, if you have a very skilled Indy they can get them out but there is a risk they have to be forced out and replaced with a new one. Your looking for a chuffing noise when you listen under the bonnet, a smell of diesel and residue on the plastic cover might also be visible. The bill to replace the injector seal and maf was £200 btw.
They are very good cars but like any big old bus they need to be maintained and mine hadn't been for the last three years really.
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