Air getting into diesel line causing occasional starting roughness - fixed with new O-rings.
Front lower suspension bushes split (common problem). Wears tires, but not a handling issue.
Driver's window motor sometimes fails for a few seconds.
Mercedes 300TE's with 7 seats are possibly the best vehicle to own with the best spread of benefits: comfort, economy, safety, longevity, performance and reliability.
This 1997 3 liter turbo diesel feels as punchy as a previous 3 liter petrol 12v, yet gives 35+ mpg.
Comfort is amazing. MPVs and SUVs make me sick and often have a very choppy ride. This Mercedes is firm (Avantgarde model) but composed. Easily capable of 300 miles in one go (both in fuel and for driver).
There have been some paint issues with this year and there are some paint bubbles forming on the bonnet underside edge, but for me it is the mechanicals that are the most important and the massively under-stressed six cylinder in-line turbo diesel feels only just run in at 115,000 miles.
Indeed a taxi driver in Greece recently had a new Mercedes bought for him by Mercedes (Germany) in exchange for his 4,600,000Km 30 year old 240D. And no, those numbers are not a typing error.
See: http://www.germanembassy-india.org/en/germannews04/dec/pg11.html
I think this says it all.
Update: 135,000 miles. Front lower suspension bushes replaced which made a good improvement on steering feel. Had the car professionally cavity treated to slow the rot (which despite being the worst paint job vintage by Mercedes it's not too bad), replaced all tyres with Pirelli P6000 now loose suspension fixed (this chewed up tyres).
Overall, despite build of the W210 not as good as the W124s I have owned, this is still a great car. At motorway speeds I am getting about 38mpg, but hitting 40mpg seems too difficult!
Often carries 3 children and 4 adults no problem, and sometimes pulling 750kg of horse manure! That works out to be around 2,625kg all up, which it handles no problem. Apart from the Audi A6 Avant with special 7 seater modification, there is no other vehicle like the Mercedes 7 seater estates, and second-hand with 80,000 miles on the clock they are really great value.
I expect to still be using this car at 200,000 miles, it really is that good.
What a truly spiffing car I own one myself and it really is fantastic.
UPDATE:
160,000 miles. Had fuel pump valve crack - still ran fine, but not ultra-smooth, but cost £700 to get fixed! Ouch. Rest of fuel pump almost indestructible. Still going strong, now our only car. Looks about 3 years old, not 10 years old.
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