Description
For sale - Rare Mercedes S210 E430 Estate (W210 Wagon) V8 in Avantgarde trim with 18" AMG Monoblock alloys.
The S210 E430 Wagon featured the bulletproof M113 V8 (common to the C43/ C55/ E55 AMG series vehicles) 276BHP, 7 seats and the 722. 6 automatic transmission used in everything up to and including the Maclaren SLR. It has an interior famed for it's quality and resilience and running gear designed for one of the most prolific taxis of it's generation. This car should have been more than capable of sustaining the reputation established by Mercedes Benz over the previous 70 years.
However, as anyone familiar with late '90 Mercs will tell you this was also the 'accountant' era! It was time for 'The best or nothing' to be re-interpreted in time for the 21st century as 'The best or.... something'. Bring on iffy paint, thin and poorly designed/ protected body panels, crazy maintenance intervals and electrical gremlins that have definitely been fed well after midnight.
All this results in a car which on the one-hand is lovely old school Mercedes being quiet, comfortable, solid, mean looking, grunty (if not fast) and loaded with character but on the other-hand can pile up niggles something chronic!
This one (like most) has a history but it's very presentable, drives beautifully, is clean inside, has been loved (at least recently) and I've done a tonne of work sorting all the serious problems and most of the niggles. I have loads of photos showing the work I've carried out, videos of it cold starting and showing all the windows/ doors etc operating. Read on if you haven't started to get scared yet! Or just read on anyway if you want a laugh at my expense. Former Keepers - 4
MOT - Expires 22/ 12/ 2023
Purchased from a dealer in Greater London - May 2022
Service History - Only last 12 months
General History
In May last year, I persuaded myself that it was a good idea to buy a cheap estate car for general duties about the place. I'd rather fancied an E55 AMG (having always had a thing for that age of Merc) but this came up on Ebay so I stuck in a cheeky bid. To my horror, I won! What followed was a long and not especially edifying saga involving a dishonest dealer in London, a wildly optimistic and ultimately aborted trip with some friends to Cornwall and then the entirely predictable 'tow of shame' back from Somerset courtesy of the AA. Full details available on request when the PTSD wears off a bit!
Anyway, given the dealer didn't seem the sort to be concerned by a CCJ, I had to decided what to do with a car that had no working gearbox, no service history, was sometimes in limp mode, had rust holes in both front wings and a list of niggles longer than my bloody face was by then!! So I fixed it (mostly) and since then.... it's been brilliant!
I've used it regularly, taken my kids and their friends to sports events and parties all over the place, carted stuff to the dump, used it for work, you name it, it's done it. It's been totally reliable and (almost) everything that’s been fixed has stayed that way.
Now though, it's time to part company. I've recently fallen for a C63 and I can't justify two estate cars (apparently). Also, I can't seem to stop working on it, there's not much left to fix now (see below) but I have other projects to work on and I need to concentrate. So it’s up for sale. The vehicle is basically very sound and I have already done most of the work required to make it a really nice car to drive about in and of course it's immensely practical.
Summary of work carried out
Complete gearbox valve body overhaul
Strip down and clean, new fluid, electrical connector, filter, conductor plate, overlap valves, solenoid testing and TCU overhaul.
Gear selector replacement
Full engine service inc plugs (x16) and air/ oil filters
Usual M113 breather oil leak fixed (correct Merc sealant applied)
Resolve 'limp mode' issues caused by mal-adjusted TPS (simples!)
Usual hole in spare wheel-well welded up and painted
Both front wings replaced painted and rust proofed
Replace stereo header-unit with new Bluetooth/ DAB unit
Side light bulb
Interior bulb(s)
Dash light bulb(s)
Door alignment and lubrication
Strip out D/ S doors and lube window mechanism
Source and fit headlight cover retaining clip
Front and rear wiper blades
Headlight polish and ceramic coating
Strip and clean cabin/ heater fan
Fit new cabin filters
Fuel gauge sender repaired
Flush washer water (yuk) and clear/ align jets
Source and fit new Merc bonnet emblem
Full valet and detail/ wax. Clean carpets and feed leather
Re-fix head lining
Check tyre tread and pressures
Check for ECU faults and resolve
Re-test and confirm clear
MOT - Work
Weld up rear subframe (small hole see MOT report)
Replace suspension arm ball joints (both sides)
Mask headlights to correct beams
Document
Build folder with all available receipts
Download photos of work carried out and add to file (memory stick)
Stuff left to do
Tailgate rust spots
DSR door rust spot and alignment
Aircon rebuild (it's leaking)
MOT advisories i. e.
Steering joints
Fuel pipe corrosion
Headlight alignment
Spares provided
Fuel filter
Headlights
Old ICE header unit and fittings
Optional Extras
Private plate 'L711OYD' available separately. Make me an offer!
In summary, this car is ready to drive and use daily. There are a couple of things that need doing and being 25+ years old, there are going to be other things from time-to-time but if you are looking for something you can drive, use and enjoy tinkering with, this is a great option.
I am more than happy to arrange a viewing (and a look underneath) and I'm going to keep it taxed/ insured until the end of April 2023, so it can be test driven if you can show me appropriate insurance is in place. After that it's going SORN until sold.
If you like old Mercs, or if you just fancy something different come take a look! Oh and did I mention...? It's a V8 !
