Should I buy a 2000 E320 with 135k?

Greetings All,

I am new to the forum and hope you all can aid me with a purchasing decision.  I came across a 2000 E320 4matic Wagon with 135k at my local dealership.  The price is $16,000 !  The previous owner bought it new from the dealership and he is a truck stop developer and that's where all the miles came from.

A very tempting offer as a means to upgrade from my 1997 Passat Wagon.

However, the obvious question is what am I gettitng into for maintenance costs?  I have looked through the dealer service records and the only major replacement was new front struts at 72k.  He had the 120k service done as well as the normal a and b services.

Please fire back any advice on things to have inspected (independently) and whether I am looking at a good deal or peering over the vast cavern of costly repairs over the next few years.

Thanks,

John

[QUOTE=johnciowa]

Greetings All,

I am new to the forum and hope you all can aid me with a purchasing decision.  I came across a 2000 E320 4matic Wagon with 135k at my local dealership.  The price is $16,000 !  The previous owner bought it new from the dealership and he is a truck stop developer and that's where all the miles came from.

A very tempting offer as a means to upgrade from my 1997 Passat Wagon.

However, the obvious question is what am I gettitng into for maintenance costs?  I have looked through the dealer service records and the only major replacement was new front struts at 72k.  He had the 120k service done as well as the normal a and b services.

Please fire back any advice on things to have inspected (independently) and whether I am looking at a good deal or peering over the vast cavern of costly repairs over the next few years.

Thanks,

John

[/QUOTE]

Don't buy unless you can get an extended warranty that covers break down and wear and tear. I purschased a E-320 - 2000 in 2002. Stops without warning, windows can fall out with small preassure and today it's in the shop for crank shaft position sensor failure. I keep a can of glue to fix the platic part that fall off from time to time.

I just purchassed a 2000 E320 4Matic with 45000 miles.  It has been a dream.  I have to admit that this is the nicest car I have ever owned, and I have had 4 VWs, and a BMW.  I would take it to a reputable machanic, and make sure that it is in sound mechanical shape.  The warrenty isn't a bad idea either, expensive, but not a bad idea.