Jill's E320, 2000 |
The wretched X5 has built up a pretty big load of resentment, due to its high cost, high cost of repairs, and tendency to break down catastrophically. I am not sanguine that anything newer would actually be a better car for the long haul, and so began looking for something in the middle-aged Mercedes vein, but suitable for Jill's current needs.
Due to my experiences with Barney, and the research I've put into it, a W210 actually looks fairly feasible. Jill's needs:
I had been starting to look for AWD E320's, with a preference for the wagon form to make hauling Jill's instruments around easier. (The bari sax is particularly bulky.) The wagons, though, are less common than the sedans and the storage is less secure, and I first ran into a sedan for sale at a local used car lot. It looked presentable, and the price was 'in the zone'. The proprietor stated that they never lasted long on his lot, and that he bought them for resale whenever they came up privately, and even offered me a bounty if I had seen any others that he might buy. A line? Maybe, but I think their popularity is true, and so I bought it after a short test drive. Supposedly the car originated in Seattle and was sold (by this lot) to a local dentist, who didn't keep it long before trading it back in on a W210 diesel that later turned up on the same lot. (Ah, if only the diesels came in AWD...)
This is much newer than I am comfortable with, because cars newer than about 1990 are saturated with custom electronics, which can get uppity, are often NLA past a point, and for which used parts are either just as bad-off as the originals or cannot readily be reprogrammed to serve in a different car. All things I hate. On the other hand, these E320's are not too expensive and have the features we need.
Though this car has a 'smart' key, it's still something you have to insert physically and twist, it's not pushbutton-start, which I loathe.
A log of its life with us.
A list of its repairs and upgrades.
WDBJF82J4YX039750 Mercedes-Benz E-class W210 / S210 2000 VIN decoder and vehicle history report Your VIN number was successfully decoded: WDBJF82J4YX039750 Mercedes-Benz E-class W210 / S210 2000 VIN: WDBJF82J4YX039750 WMI / VDS / VIS: WDB JF82J4 YX039750 Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz DCAG DAIMLER AG Mercedes-Benz DCAG DAIMLER AG Brand: Mercedes-Benz Model: E-class W210 / S210 Region/Plant: Gratz Austria Check: 4 Year: 2000 Sequential number: 39750 Approx. mileage: 264,998 km See also Get Vehicle Records Issue ID Failed Affected Component Miles City/State VIN Pattern 334302 24/11/01 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK 0 SAN JOSE, CA WDBJF82J4YX 334303 24/11/01 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK 0 SAN JOSE, CA WDBJF82J4YX Additional information on the vehicle: CarID 1271 Brand MERCEDES-BENZ ManufacturerId 553 Catalog MB201711 Model 210.082 Name E3204M ImageUrl Date 22.03.2000 Fin WDB2100821X039750 Vin WDBJF82J4YX039750 Market North America Lights HELLA Wiper BOSCH Description Sedan E United States НАЧ. С ИДЕНТ. № WDBJH82F.Y X 027615 VehicleClass Passanger Aggregates M - engine: 112941 30 699449 112.941 M 112 E32 GASOLINE ENGINE GA - Automatic : 722664 12 074757 722.664 W 5 A 300 AT 5-SPEED Chassis Sales designation: E3204M [MODEL_IDX = 2] Order number: 0 0 704 31103 Delivery date: 22 03 2000 Market: NA,North America Production order: Paint code 1: 744U - BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC Equipment: 211A - LEATHER ANTHRACITE Engine no.: 112941 30 699449 Transmission: 722664 12 074757 [transmissionType = GA] Steering: Front axle 1: Rear axle 1: Rear axle 2: Battery 1: Fuel cell 1: Electric motor 1: SA code 231 - GARAGE DOOR OPENER 242 - FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY 249 - INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING 265 - LINES-NO.PLATE DISCONTINUED 275 - MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR) 293 - SIDEBAG IN REAR LEFT AND RIGHT 345 - RAIN SENSOR 349 - PREP. FOR EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEM 352 - COMAND 414 - ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION 461 - INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND 494 - U.S. VERSION 524 - PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION 543 - SUN VISOR WITH MAKE-UP MIRROR L. AND R., BE- 551 - ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM 581 - AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL 600 - HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT 611 - EXIT LIGHTS FOR DRIVER DOORS 612 - HEADLAMP-XENON R.H.TRAFFIC 634 - DELETION - FIRST AID KIT 636 - DELETION - WARNING TRIANGLE 641 - LIGHT ALLOY WHEEL, 11-HOLE DESIGN 668 - PACKAGING FOR SHIPPING VEHICLES WITH TIE-DOWN HOOK 673 - HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY 679 - BASIC WHEEL AS SPARE WHEEL 800 - [112.9] - 19970516 - AEJ 06/1/M/X 800 - [210] - 19960905 - YEAR OF MODIFICATION 99/1 800 - [722.6] - 19980310 - 810 - SOUND SYSTEM 873 - SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS 876 - INTERIOR LIGHT ASSEMBLY 955 - EQUIPMENT PACKAGE ELEGANCE 210A - LEATHER 744U - BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC 211A - LEATHER ANTHRACITE DataMB.com Mercedes-Benz VIN Decoder English ▼ Save PDF Print Share General Data FIN WDB2100821X039750 VIN WDBJF82J4YX039750 Model Year 2000 Model E3204M Engine 112941 30 699449 Transmission 722664 12 074757 Order Number 0 0 704 31103 Order Location UNITED STATES (USA) Interior LEATHER ANTHRACITE (211A) Paint 1 BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC (744U) Delivery Date 2000-03-22 Code Description 210A LEATHER 231 GARAGE DOOR OPENER 242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY 249 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING 265 LINES-NO.PLATE DISCONTINUED 275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR) 293 SIDEBAG IN REAR LEFT AND RIGHT 345 RAIN SENSOR 349 PREP. FOR EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEM 352 COMAND 414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION 461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND 494 VERSION FOR USA 524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION 543 SUN VISOR WITH VANITY MIRROR, ILLUMINATED, LEFT AND RIGHT 551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM 581 AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL 600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT 611 EXIT LIGHTS FOR DRIVER DOORS 612 HEADLAMP-XENON R.H.TRAFFIC 634 DELETION - FIRST AID KIT 636 DELETION - WARNING TRIANGLE 641 LIGHT ALLOY WHEEL, 11-HOLE DESIGN 668 PACKAGING FOR SHIPPING VEHICLES WITH TIE-DOWN HOOK 673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY 679 BASIC WHEEL AS SPARE WHEEL 800 YEAR OF MODIFICATION 99/1 810 SOUND SYSTEM 873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS 876 INTERIOR LIGHT ASSEMBLY 955 EQUIPMENT PACKAGE ELEGANCE Mercedes Benz VIN decoded at https://www.datamb.com/vin/1NZMgEK9vq8Aarnlo Vehicle Information Type Value VIN WDBJF82J4YX039750 Model E3204M Colour BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC (744U) Upholstery LEATHER ANTHRACITE (211A) Production Date 2000-03-22 Order Nr. 0 0 704 31103 Production Nr. Equipment 210A LEATHER 211A LEATHER ANTHRACITE 231 GARAGE DOOR OPENER 242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY 249 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING 265 LINES-NO.PLATE DISCONTINUED 275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR) 293 SIDEBAG IN REAR LEFT AND RIGHT 345 RAIN SENSOR 349 PREP. FOR EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEM 352 COMAND 414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION 461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND 494 U.S. VERSION 524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION 543 SUN VISOR WITH MAKE-UP MIRROR L. AND R., BE- 551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM 581 AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL 600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT 611 EXIT LIGHTS FOR DRIVER DOORS 612 HEADLAMP-XENON R.H.TRAFFIC 634 DELETION - FIRST AID KIT 636 DELETION - WARNING TRIANGLE 641 LIGHT ALLOY WHEEL, 11-HOLE DESIGN 668 PACKAGING FOR SHIPPING VEHICLES WITH TIE-DOWN HOOK 673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY 679 BASIC WHEEL AS SPARE WHEEL 744U BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC 800 810 SOUND SYSTEM 873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS 876 INTERIOR LIGHT ASSEMBLY 955 EQUIPMENT PACKAGE ELEGANCE WDBJF82J11X057922 Mercedes-Benz E-class W210 / S210 2001 VIN: WDBJF82J11X057922 WMI/VDS/VIS: WDB JF82J1 1X057922 Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz DCAG DAIMLER AG Brand: Mercedes-Benz Model: E-class W210 / S210 Region/Plant: Gratz Austria Check: 1 Year: 2001 Sequential number: 57922 Approx. mileage: 247,700 km Extra information on the vehicle: Name: Mercedes-Benz Name: E-Class Name: Engine Compression Ratio: 10 Cylinder: 6 Size: 3.2 Displacement: 3199 Configuration: V Fuel Type: premium unleaded (required) Horsepower: 221 Torque: 232 Total Valves: 18 Type: gas Code: 6VNAG3.2 Compressor Type: NA Horsepower: 5600 Torque: 3000 Gear: single overhead camshaft Name: 5A Automatic Type: Shiftable automatic Transmission Type: AUTOMATIC Number Of Speeds: 5 Driven Wheels: all wheel drive Num Of Doors: 4 Category: Other Category: Interior Name: Oyster Name: Ash Name: Java Name: Blue Name: Charcoal Category: Exterior Name: Black Opal Name: Desert Silver Name: Black Name: Midnight Blue Name: Aspen Green Name: Obsidian Black Name: Royal Indigo Name: Tectite Gray Name: Brilliant Silver Name: Bordeaux Red Name: Glacier White Name: Dark Turquoise Manufacturer Code: E320W/4 Base M S R P: 50700 Base Invoice: 47151 Delivery Charges: 645 Used Private Party: 2131 Used Trade In: 1331 Market: Luxury,Performance E P A Class: Midsize Cars Vehicle Size: Midsize Primary Body Type: Car Vehicle Style: Sedan Vehicle Type: Car Squish Vin: WDBJF82J1X Year: 2001 Name: E320 4MATIC AWD 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A) Body: Sedan Model Name: E-Class Sedan Trim: E320 4MATIC Highway: 24 City: 18 Chassis Sales designation: E 320 4MATIC Order number: 0 1 704 22183 Delivery date: 16 03 2001 Market: NA,North America Production order: N Paint code 1: 339U - VIOLAN - METALLIC PAINT Equipment: 214A - LEATHER, JAVA Engine no.: 112941 30 991152 Transmission: 722664 02 774951 [transmissionType = GA] Steering: Front axle 1: Rear axle 1: Rear axle 2: Battery 1: Fuel cell 1: Electric motor 1: SA code 231 - GARAGE DOOR OPENER 242 - FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY 249 - INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING 265 - LINES-NO.PLATE DISCONTINUED 275 - MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR) 293 - SIDEBAG IN REAR LEFT AND RIGHT 345 - RAIN SENSOR 349 - PREP. FOR EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEM 352 - COMAND 414 - ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION 423 - 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 461 - INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND 494 - U.S. VERSION 524 - PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION 543 - SUN VISOR WITH MAKE-UP MIRROR L. AND R., BE- 551 - ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM 581 - AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL 611 - EXIT LIGHTS FOR DRIVER DOORS 634 - DELETION - FIRST AID KIT 636 - DELETION - WARNING TRIANGLE 641 - LIGHT ALLOY WHEEL, 11-HOLE DESIGN 668 - PACKAGING FOR SHIPPING VEHICLES WITH TIE-DOWN HOOK 673 - HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY 801 - AEJ 00/1 R 170 AEJ 99/2 810 - SOUND SYSTEM 873 - SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS 876 - INTERIOR LIGHT ASSEMBLY 955 - EQUIPMENT PACKAGE ELEGANCE 210A - LEATHER 339U - VIOLAN - METALLIC PAINT 214A - LEATHER, JAVA