W210 Longroof: 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320 Estate – Sold?

February 23, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

When a band produces multiple Top 10 songs several years in a row, it’s not surprising that the first time they slip, the released album fades to obscurity rather quickly. That seems to be the case with Mercedes’ W210 chassis of E-Class sedans and wagons, which had the misfortune of following in the footsteps of the wonderful W124 lineup, the poster child of Mercedes durability and conservative styling. Take this 1999 Mercedes E320 wagon, originally listed in January 2021 on Craigslist in Glen Gardner, New Jersey for $3,000. According to the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool, this wagon should be priced closer to the “Fair” value of $7,500, but there are some defects seen in the photos the seller may be deducted for.

Now, the W210 chassis was different for a few reasons beyond just the typical updates and upgrades that accompany a new model generation. The design itself was a game-changer for Mercedes, taking the standard front fascia recipe of rectangular headlights with inboard / integrated fog lamps and a thick, chrome grill and instead utilizing four separate “pods” for illumination purposes. If you were expecting Mercedes to continue its staid presentation even with the introduction of a completely refreshed model, you were likely disappointed by this fresh-faced approach to updating the long-lived E-Class. In some ways, this is why I believe the W124s became instant collectibles, not unlike the 993-chassis 911s: what came next left many enthusiasts pining for the models and eras they cherished the most.

The Men and Motors YouTube Channel features a very young Richard Hammond hosting this comparison of the ’99 E320 Estate versus the increasingly popular minivans of the period:

When it comes to nearly any older vehicle, there comes a point where the mileage on the odometer shouldn’t scare you, but rather serve as a reminder that someone has been driving this car regularly – that’s a good thing, right?” Listen, low mileage survivors will always be a smart buy, especially for vehicles with a following. For vehicles like this older Mercedes E-Class, the higher mileage can either mean there’s a lot of stuff ready to break, or the owner has performed proactive maintenance and upkeep to keep the car on the road. With 177,000 miles, someone had to have loved this E320 wagon at some point, as it would have been sidelined eons ago if it wasn’t. The seller notes he has installed new tires and brakes, and also refers to the car as having “…just (been) serviced,” which hopefully includes receipts that capture the scale of proactive maintenance you’d want to see as the next owner. Good luck with the purchase if you take this driver-quality E320 estate home.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1999 Mercedes e320 wagon , 177,000 miles , new tires , brakes, just serviced.“

Do you have a Mercedes E-Class Wagon story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!