2008 e320 cdi V6 estate

[Fayiz]

Hello,

I'm looking at a 2008 e320 cdi v6 estate, it has all the options I'm looking out for except the electric tailgate. However, my previous 2004 estate had that option and I really liked it, I wanted to ask, does anyone have experience with these estate cars and know what the normal tailgate is like? Since its the only thing putting me off at the moment, is it really that bad compared to the electric one?

Thanks,

 

[gIzzE]

Bad?
I would class that as a bonus.

Electric tailgate is a pain, waiting in the rain for it to open/close etc.

 

[clk320x]

Bad?
I would class that as a bonus.

Electric tailgate is a pain, waiting in the rain for it to open/close etc.

Sorry I don’t agree with this

It’s quite quick really and soooooo convenient lol

 

[gIzzE]

More convenient to stand there waiting for it to open, and then stand there waiting for it to close than simply opening it, getting the dog in the back and quickly closing it?

Then there are the times when it is just closed and someone says "Ooh, let me just put this in there".
Arrrrghhh!

I will be honest, I never struggled with a regular tailgate before, so my opinion may differ.

 

[GordonTarling]

As someone who's owned both types, I feel qualified to comment. The electric tailgate can be very convenient at times when you don't want to get out of the car for whatever reason. It's also more convenient in the pouring rain when you can just press the button and walk away while it's closing. However, it is a bit slower to open than the manual one and, of course, there's a lot more to go wrong than just two gas struts. The electric one does also surprise people not on the know when they try to open it on the manual release to find it leaping up at them. My current car has a manual tailgate and its operation isn't a problem at all, though I do miss having the tailgate open while I'm walking toward the car.

 

[Fayiz]

Based upon the replies, I can't justify missing out on the electric tailgate option unless someone is able to convince me I guess... After all, it was an amazing feature that I had on my previous estate

I mean, I am aware of the potential of it to go wrong, (on my car, it would open normally by hand but wouldn't open by key fob button or by interior release on driver side door) but after all, it's an amazing feature for me although, if it was a 5 seater estate then I personally wouldn't mind, but I think it's a must have on a 7 seater one..

 

[merc85]

Less to go wrong not having one too...

 

[DrNick]

Based upon the replies, I can't justify missing out on the electric tailgate option unless someone is able to convince me I guess... After all, it was an amazing feature that I had on my previous estate

I mean, I am aware of the potential of it to go wrong, (on my car, it would open normally by hand but wouldn't open by key fob button or by interior release on driver side door) but after all, it's an amazing feature for me although, if it was a 5 seater estate then I personally wouldn't mind, but I think it's a must have on a 7 seater one..

Calling it an amazing feature is a bit strong! I've got it on mine and I agree its quite convenient but I could live without it. On a couple of occasions I've pushed the button to close it, and walked away from the car, thinking that was that, only to return to the car to find the boot wide open. On investigation, if the boot is a bit packed, the boot will close, find resistance and then open again. While I can see the point of this, it is a bit sensitive, and a manual close on those occasions would have been preferable. Now I can't trust it so have to wait for it to close all the way and go click. No great hardship but not exactly earning its money either.

 

[clk320x]

Chaps how do you close the electric tailgate from the key/inside? I can get it to open from the key and from inside with the switch but not close?
Cheers

 

[Londonscottish]

I don't miss it when I'm doing short trips in the Mrs's Clio.

But when I'm holiday for a week in a hire car I do start to miss it. Especially when the tailgate is wet and dirty.

 

[Londonscottish]

Chaps how do you close the electric tailgate from the key/inside? I can get it to open from the key and from inside with the switch but not close?
Cheers

On my 212 I can close it from the switch on the driver's door. Don't think the switch in my 211 did that.

 

[carlls]

manual tailgate on my 7 seater no problem had electric boot lid on the cls which was handy