Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse 210 E 200, 136 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (1995–1999)

Research for this car

Generation guide Mercedes-Benz E-Class W210 (1995-2003): known problems and buying guide
A risky buy unless the body is solid, since rust and the automatic gearbox are the costly faults to check first.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost	Source
Body rust, mainly sills, arches, doors and boot lid	All cars	Not stated	GBP 2,000-3,000 for wings and rust repair (owner forum, UK, 2007)	Generation guide
Front spring mounts and axle carrier rust	All cars	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Five-speed automatic gearbox faults	722.6 five-speed automatic, from 1997	Not stated	About GBP 3,000 for a new unit (owner forum, UK, 2008)	Generation guide
Front tie-rod ends and ball joints wear	All cars	About 150,000 km	GBP 170-276 for front ball joints (owner forum, UK, 2010)	Generation guide
Instrument cluster display faults	All cars	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Central locking faults and older wiring	All cars, mostly older cars	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide

Look at the front spring tops from the engine bay with a torch. Bad result: bubbling paint, cracked welds, or a front corner that sits low.
Look at the front axle carrier under the car with a torch. Bad result: holes or soft metal. A cover may hide part of it, and TÜV may not remove that cover.
Check the sills, jacking points, door bottoms, wheel arches and boot lid with a torch. Bad result: bubbling, holes, or fresh paint over rust.
Ask for the service book and any invoices for rust repairs. Bad result: rust with no proof of repair.
Drive the automatic cold and warm, through every gear. Ask for proof of the gearbox oil and filter change. Bad result: slipping, flaring or jerks.
On a lift, check the front ball joints and tie-rod ends for play (needs a lift). Bad result: play, or a knock over bumps.
Switch the ignition on and look at the whole instrument display. Bad result: dead pixels or missing segments.
Lock and unlock with the key fob, the button in each door and the boot. Bad result: a door or the boot that does not lock.

Operational	–
Workshop	€89
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€117
Total per month	–
New-car depreciation (not included)	–

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de in this generation with this fuel, gearbox and power.

First registration	Listings	Median price	Median mileage
1999	4	–	–
1998	6	€4,200	144,952 km
1997	7	€7,498	146,000 km
1996	15	€15,980	171,960 km
1995	18	€8,500	233,252 km

Medians only for years with at least 5 listings. Many cars are first registered after production ends, so years can run past the build years.

Month	Listings	Median price	Middle half	Median mileage
Nov 2026	50	€8,500	€4,500 – €16,999	178,500 km
Oct 2026	50	€8,500	€4,500 – €16,999	178,500 km

Median asking price at the last snapshot of each month.

All 6 ADAC versions

Version	Power	Body	Doors	Production years	Running cost per month
E 200 Classic Automatik	136 PS	Saloon	4	1995–1999	–
E 200 Elegance Automatik	136 PS	Saloon	4	1995–1999	–
E 200 Avantgarde Automatik	136 PS	Saloon	4	1995–1999	–
E 200 T-Modell Classic Automatik	136 PS	Estate	5	1996–1999	–
E 200 T-Modell Elegance Automatik	136 PS	Estate	5	1996–1999	–
E 200 T-Modell Avantgarde Automatik	136 PS	Estate	5	1996–1999	–