1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Estate

In an era of SUVs and minivans, the estate, or station wagon, is fast becoming a less favored mode of transport. One manufacturer has stayed true to this body style since 1978: Mercedes-Benz. This clean, low mileage W124 E320 wagon is my favorite of the breed and perhaps one of the best engineered, as well. Rarely do we see Mercedes-Benz wagons with such low mileage but here’s a chance to bid on a classic.

The seller states:

This is a really nice 1995 E320 wagon that has been in California all its life. It was bought new by an older lady in Los Angeles. She kept the car for just over 11 years and put only about 35,000 miles on it in that time. Her daughter acquired the car in 2007 and it has been in the Bakersfield area since then. This car was built in September of 1995; making it one of the last w224 cars to be built. This was also the year of any U.S. model Mercedes wagon until 1998. Unfortunately, 1998 was also the first year Mercedes began using the new V6 motor. So, 1995 was the last year Mercedes made a wagon with the better in-line 6-cylinder motor. Since a new body style was introduced for 1996, this was also the last of the over-engineered E-Class cars. Just like the 1993 190-Class, the 1999 S-Class, and the 2002 SL-class, this car was the last of its kind, and they truly don’t build them like they used to. By Mercedes’ own admission, they do not over-engineer these cars any more. This car is the last of the best.

This car has as much cargo space as a mid-size SUV with the middle and rear seats folded. It has the third row seat which makes it a true 7 passenger vehicle. However, the back seat is best for kids or adults you don’t like. It has a cargo cover to hide items in the back and a cargo net that can be used as a divider with the rear seats up or when they are folded. It also has a luggage rack, complete with the cross bars. All that combined with the self-leveling rear suspension makes this car really versatile.

The bad:

After sitting for approximately 2 hours, sometimes the car will not start without touching the gas pedal lightly. A little more or less time sitting and it starts up normally.

There is a small oil leak that leaves a pea to dime-size drop on the ground over night. It looks like it is coming from the front of the engine; maybe around the timing chain cover.

The left rear floor mat is missing.

One of the wheels has some curb rash (see pictures).

There are a couple of dings on the tailgate (see pictures).

There is a ding at the bottom of the left quarter panel that caused about a 3/4″ crack in the paint along the bottom edge (see pictures).

The lower panel on the right rear door has some light scratches (see pictures).

The rocker panel on the left side has some scratches (see pictures).

The right rear door had a scrape at the top that has been filled with touch-up paint (see pictures).

There is a scrape over the right rear wheel that has been filled with touch-up paint (see pictures).

The driver’s window regulator will need to be replaced soon as it stops about 1/8″ short at the top of its travel and makes a clicking noise.

The left rear window regulator probably needs to be replaced soon. It is making a noise.

As of 3 days ago, the air conditioning stopped being cold when the car is idling in direct sunlight. It gets very cold at all other times.

The left tail light has a crack in it that has been repaired (see pictures).

The radio is an after market CD unit that cannot be turned off. However, you can turn down the volume all the way or remove the face plate if you don’t want to hear it.

Barring the list of faults, many of which are minor imperfections, this wagon is a solid bet. Besides the W123 wagons, this was perhaps one of MB’s best, in terms of durability. Whoever gets their hands on this low mileage example will enjoy years of utilitarian motoring with a touch of class.

-Paul