The unloved Benz: s210 E300TD diary

[harrykul]

I've long been a Benz fan, and during one of my daydreams decided that the 210 series E class could be quite a good car, being an update of the legend that is the w124. I've also read many stories of the legendary OM606 engine: about it's strength, durability and tune-ability. It's pretty much the German diesel equivalent of the Toyota 2JZ motor. They have a terrible reputation for rust, rust and more rust, with other quality and reliability niggles, but I (possibly incorrectly) put the reliability stuff down to the facelift models and direct-injection turbodiesels. I concluded that the pre-facelift 210 300 Turbodiesel could be the sweet spot in the range and my ideal utility wagon.

That was about 5 years ago, and despite regular searches never came across one that wasn't rotten. In November past, I happened across a clean, low mileage, well specced car that was being sold by it's owner of 17 years. I bought it over the phone unseen within 20 minutes of the advert going live. Pics from the advert:




Flew in and drove from South London to NI in one go (12 hrs, 450 miles approx). I do like a good shakedown run when getting a new car- on the basis of that journey is seemed reasonable but in need of a bit of fettling. Engine was strong and smooth, as was the gearbox (it has just had a £600 overhaul). Did the trip on one tank too.

Had a basic service done and put on a set of 8-holes and winter tyres, then sent it off for MOT: passed (just about in the case of the suspension):


Had to get a new windscreen fitted and some rust treated on the pillars after a bodge job, but couldn't blame that on the car (can't find the pics). £40 and the £75 excess had it sorted.

Also, had a close up look at the bodywork and wish I hadn't. Every arch is like this to some extent, but not too bad for a 210:



I also went shopping over the following weeks and about £600 later had this lot ready for fitting:



Got some interesting pics during the work:





Been driving it for a week now that it's been sorted: it's proper, this thing. If they didn't rot for fun I think they'd have a similar reputation to the w124. The plan is to use it as a daily for a year or so then keep it as a spare/utility car for the foreseeable.

Hope it's of interest to someone, will update soon!

Edited by harrykul on Monday 19th March 22:18

Edited by harrykul on Monday 19th March 22:19

[mattman]

Will you be going to R129 levels of 'fettling'??

Looks like a good base for a lovely do-it-all cruiser - following with interest

[harrykul]

Definitely not r129 spec on this car. Ive a couple of cars that have been r129'd (including an r129). This one is for carrying kids, dogs and doing runs to the tip etc.

Basically a car that I don't get too precious over. Now that it's mechanically sorted, that will be all hopefully. The rust is making me itch already, so watch this space as it progresses...

[harrykul]

Since the last post I've had a coolant leak traced to the thermostat housing sorted, and it's been plain sailing otherwise. I really am loving the OM606: the smoothness, adequate power and even the noise it makes. It's like a gravelly, heavy machinery sort of thing, but without any vibrations whatsoever.

This week the first test of my OCD has occurred. I had an altercation with a gate during some strong winds:




The wing mirror took a good slap too, breaking the glass from it's mounts but without shattering it. This will get fixed this week, but I know leaving the bodywork alone is going to drive me mad. This is shed life I guess. Hey ho.

[harrykul]

The 300 has presented an issue, this time with the glow plug light staying on for about a minute after starting yesterday. It ran fine though, still the same smoothness and power.

This morning was the first proper cold start, and it was a different story. Ran like a bag of spanners for about 20 seconds and some blue smoke. That didn't go down well with my wife, who was already sceptical of this shedding idea that I had. After the 20 seconds, normal service resumed though.

A bit of googling suggests either a duff plug (all 6 were replaced in the overhaul) or the plug relay....

[Fattyfat]

I remember these coming out in the 90's, 177BHP from a diesel was pretty much unheard of then. Great cars until the reputation for rot presented itself.