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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. They seem pretty bullet-proof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeSid8VcGNI

[2boxerdogs]

I will vouch for that my V8 is a minter, & always makes me smile when I drive it.Find a good W210 V8 & they are an absolute bargain.

[anV6]

There is a reason why they are a bargain. AMG or not they still have all the problems associated with that generation of Mercedes. All 3 of them are from time Mercedes quality was in the sewer. This is a hated time in Mercedes history for pretty much all Mercedes fans.

I personally know somebody who had to basically throw a W210 away because rust took it over and repairing it would be too costly. If it was a V8 he could at least sell the engine. But as a low powered diesel he actually had to pay the scrap yard to come pick it up.

It's not only at the obvious and easy to look places like wings that they rust. Take the bumpers and any plastic body work off and be horrified with the tin worm chewing away at your precious Benz.

Engine wise they are fine. But this is not enough. Rust and all sorts of structural problems and also some electrical makes them not for the faint-hearted.

With Mercedes goes basically like this, if you can't afford a W212, W222, W204 etc and still want to drive a Mercedes you better go back to the W124, W126 etc.

Sure there are a few who will say they have a W210 and are trouble free. But they are the exception to the rule. Some even consider addressing rust often being as being trouble free. They will say, just take care of the rust as it pops. Yes, right, like every weekend. Now seriously.Unless you are very adventurous, a W210 is to be avoided. Doesn't talk much reading or talking to ex owners to realize that.

[2boxerdogs]

Fortunately mine is the exception, all inspected by an expert before any cash changed hands, good ones are out there believe me.

[BazaJT]

Not a marque I've ever owned,however styling wise they lost me after the stacked headlight models!

[2boxerdogs]

Not a marque I've ever owned,however styling wise they lost me after the stacked headlight models!

.       


My favourite models are the stack headlights, but way out of my price bracket now.

[BazaJT]

Mine too!!!

[YZ250]

..............
 a W210 is to be avoided. Doesn't take much reading or talking to ex owners to realize that.

As I know zilch about Mercedes I had a quick Google to see what a W210 is. My goodness, I've never seen a brand described as severe catastrophic rust problems before, well, not since the early Alpha's.   
Mind you, there are good and bad in all brands I suppose, as Tilbo's choice proves.   

[2boxerdogs]

..............
 a W210 is to be avoided. Doesn't take much reading or talking to ex owners to realize that.

As I know zilch about Mercedes I had a quick Google to see what a W210 is. My goodness, I've never seen a brand described as severe catastrophic rust problems before, well, not since the early Alpha's.   
Mind you, there are good and bad in all brands I suppose, as Tilbo's choice proves.   

.       


Yes this did put me off at first but if you really delve into the building of this model the worst cars were assembled in South Africa, by accessing the VIN numbers from Mercedes you are able to avoid these by purchasing one that was built in Germany as they carry a German assembled VIN number, it certainly helps to be an MB owners club member.😉

[Nick W]

..............
 a W210 is to be avoided. Doesn't take much reading or talking to ex owners to realize that.

As I know zilch about Mercedes I had a quick Google to see what a W210 is. My goodness, I've never seen a brand described as severe catastrophic rust problems before, well, not since the early Alfas.   

You still see examples of just how bad they were all over the place, so much so it's unusual to see a nice one. I must have recovered dozens where the suspension collapsed due to rust damage. That was when Mercedes were still paying for repairs.


The drivetrains aren't much better; engine(especially the diesels), gearbox and diff failures were common.

[anV6]

..............
 a W210 is to be avoided. Doesn't take much reading or talking to ex owners to realize that.

As I know zilch about Mercedes I had a quick Google to see what a W210 is. My goodness, I've never seen a brand described as severe catastrophic rust problems before, well, not since the early Alpha's.   
Mind you, there are good and bad in all brands I suppose, as Tilbo's choice proves.   

Yep. They have one of the worst reputations of any car, specially when you consider they are Mercedes.

The consensus seems to be, even if you find one which has not had the known problems yet, it will happen. It's just delayed for some reason. But the problems are not a matter of bad luck. It seems to be inherent to them. They were just built badly and built to cost. Built in Germany or not. It doesn't matter. It's just a matter of time and all of them will probably have the known problems. There isn't a special one. They were all built on the "cheap". I don't want a Chrysler Mercedes.

So I say it's just not worth it. If they were at least extremely good looking. But the four-eyed round headlight Mercedes are the ugliest ones in my opinion. The fronts never matched the rears. Give me a Carlton or Omega any day. 

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

It's at the point now that if MrsGK or I see a 210, we both look at the arches!

Our 190s are terrifically well built - however my mate bought a E280 W124 and it's rapidly becoming Trigger's Broom-esque - current record is three weeks between breakdowns!

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

The car in the video isn't an old Merc. It doesn't have square or long oval shaped headlights. 
Really old Mercs are probably the most mechanically bullet proof cars you can buy. They also tend to fend of tinworm until they are about 20 years old.

[2boxerdogs]

I was very fortunate with my W210 it was originally purchased new in January 2000 along with 4 other new Mercedes by a long time very wealthy MB fanatic on his retirement as a retirement gift to himself, to ensure these vehicles lasted all were subjected to thorough rust protection in cavities & underbody sections etc. Without digging all the paperwork out I believe it was Dinitrol. He unfortunately died in 2008 & the car went to its second owner his solicitor, who kept up the MB servicing in 2008 the car had only done 4,700 miles.I purchased it last year with 30,000 miles full history every bill tax disc etc it has never failed an MOT. I had it completely checked by an MB specialist before purchasing it. There is no corrosion anywhere it is of excellent provenance, it is as the MB club confirmed one of the best if not the best in the UK.

[anV6]

The car in the video isn't an old Merc. It doesn't have square or long oval shaped headlights. 
Really old Mercs are probably the most mechanically bullet proof cars you can buy. They also tend to fend of tinworm until they are about 20 years old.

Actually what the car(s) in the video is, is indeed an old Mercedes. What they are not and most likely will never be are classics. The really old Mercs you talk about are classics. The video ones are just old Mercedes.