2000 S320 CDi 100k miler...Yay or Nay???

[evoesque]

Hi All,

Looking at getting a bit of a barge for about £7k and have noticed that these are within budget. I will be doing about 60 - 70 miles a day and so really need a diesel.

I would probably only keep it for a few months, perhaps a year tops.

I can't seem to find much info on them. Are they a good buy at this price? How is the CDI on economy? Anything serious that I should be looking for when viewing? Any horror stories out there? What are servicing costs like? Any other details you think will help me?!?

Sorry for all the questions but like I said, the interweb seems pretty sparse for info on these cars.

Thanks.

[Pentoman]

Not a lot to say but I've driven a 220k miler petrol 320 and it was brilliant, no obvious signs of the mileage except for the interior where you could tell from marks or loose bits - only if you were looking for it though.
I found the 320cdi in the E class not to go as quick as I'd hoped.

[finlo]

look for rust rust and rust and dodgy box's.

[bencollins]

look out for rust on the spring towers/buttresses or whatever they are called.

[MHT223]

If you can afford another £1500 get a face lift model, its definately worth it. New sat nav/COMAND system and updated inside. The facelift was in late 2002 so includes some 52 plates, but mostly 03 onwards. You can tell a facelift from crystal headlights and a widescreen sat nav (as opposed to square). If you sit in them back to back the facelift is a much nicer place to be.

Common problem with them in the torque convertor (costs £800 for the part alone from MB). It can be an intermittent problem but is most likely to rear its head first thing in the morning with a cold outside temp and around 2k. It comes from the rear and feels like you're driving over rumble strips.

Mark

[bencollins]

blimey, you must live in a valley, thats a cold frost, 2 kelvin