Bought a 1.7 lakh km run 1998 E-Class diesel for my daily commute

January 3, 2024

I know that the Mercedes W210 is labelled as the worst E-Class in history, but for me, this is an awesome deal given the ride quality, fuel efficiency & bulletproof engine.

BHPian Vmax1200 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hey, fellow car enthusiasts!

I am sharing my recent used car buying experience with all of you.

After months of scouring online listings, visiting dealerships, and test driving more cars than I can count, I finally stumbled upon what seemed like the perfect used car for me—a sleek 1998 Mercedes Benz E250 Diesel (W210) and a price that didn’t break the bank. The excitement was real!

First off, the initial meeting with the seller was smooth. We arranged to meet at his house, and the car looked even better in person than in the photos. The car had some issues like power steering pump leak, sound from suspension etc. But the engine and gearbox were in awesome condition. Literally no smoke at even full throttle. I was sold!

Some history

I started my quest for a new set of wheels with one brand in mind – the iconic Mercedes-Benz W124 E250. I had this dream of cruising in a classic boxy Benz, imagining the smooth rides and the envy-inducing stares. But the asking price of good condition W124s was too high.

In a sudden twist of fate, I found myself torn between W124 and W210. After a test drive, I made the leap and went for the W210. It felt like the right choice given the ride quality, 1/4 price of W124 etc.

After some back-and-forth with the owner, we finally settled on a price. But here’s the kicker – the owner threw in a brand-new battery (15K) and a year of insurance coverage (10K) as part of the deal.

I know that this Benz is labelled as the worst E-class in history. But for me, this is an awesome deal given the ride quality, fuel efficiency (13-14 kmpl) and bulletproof engine (same W124 engine). Only issue I am facing is the low ground clearance.

In the quiet town where I reside, nestled between green hills and winding streets, my car emerges as a rare and distinctive presence amidst the commonplace vehicles that navigate our familiar roads. Currently, W210s are very rare. Most of them are either scrapped or in very bad condition. But I have the feeling that if I maintain the car with genuine spares and the right mechanic, this will be more reliable than the latest Mercs.

Mileage

Car has clocked 175,000 kms but the engine has good compression. These engines are known to clock 5,00,000 kms without any issues. Engine still starts in half crank.

Interior

Car still has the original leather upholstery without any cracks. Only needs some detailing. Planning to get new covers for the speaker as it is cracked. The rear seat is very comfortable for long-distance travel. The boot is large as well.

Air conditioning

Air conditioning is cooling adequately.

Gearshift & clutch

Clutch is soft and the gearshift is smooth. There is some vibration in the gear lever. I ordered gear lever bushes to rectify this.

Overall NVH levels

Not very quiet like new generation cars. Diesel clatter is audible in the cabin but I like the clatter of old-school engine

Fuel efficiency

Fuel efficiency is 12 in the city and 16-17 on the highway. These figures are on sedate driving.

Steering

Steering feel is good. The steering wheel has some wear. Planning to replace it in the near future.

Braking

Braking is not very effective. I bought new brake pads but need to replace the brake rotor as it is not smooth.

Drive

As expected from a naturally aspired non-turbo diesel, acceleration is just adequate only. But when the car gains momentum, it’s fun. This engine is a real workhorse and can run on vegetable oil too (saw some videos on YouTube). I replaced all the O rings in the fuel line.

Things I like:

Good road presence
Magic carpet ride
Engine’s character (even though it’s underpowered, loves the sound and feel)
Timeless design

Things I don’t like

Low ground clearance
Spare parts availability

Intended usage

Planning to use this car as my daily commute which is around 20 km

Final verdict

IMO, W210 is an understated car which is a real value for money. This is the right time to buy given the current market prices. Properly maintained and running examples are very few. So, the value will definitely go up in future. The facelift CDI models have good power and ground clearance but I feel it’s easy to maintain this old-school NA diesel. The parts availability is ok in India. If you have any friends/relatives in the UK/Europe, parts are dirt cheap to buy. Almost all parts are available. I prefer brands like Lemforder/Febi as it is cheap and have good quality. For reference, the 4-piece tail lamps (Depo brand) costs INR 4,500. The car can be maintained in normal workshops.