211 estates?

[glojo]

Unfortunately, the E class with COMAND and leather sold this morning, even though I thought it was priced rather high.

I did take a BMW 525d estate for a test drive, but did not like it particularly. It felt very solid, and more modern than an E-class, but not as comfortable or refined. This particular one did not have leather or wood. I then sat in a 530d, with leather and wood, which was much nicer, but would not start, even with jump leads. At this point, I decided to carry on looking for another Merc.

Your spending a lot of money on a car and my advice would be to make up your mind whether you want a BMW or Mercedes-Benz. It was unfortunate the BMW would not start, but that's life. It could so easily have been the Mercedes.... I would go for an extended test drive in both brands and then make up your mind. Just remember the Avantgarde comes as standard with a firmer suspension than the Elegance, plus the Avantgarde has the white dials and dark wood trim.

John

 

[kusanku]

You are absolutely right, but I think I had a long enough drive in the 525d to form an opinion.

In terms of E class trim, I do prefer the more traditional look of the Elegance to the Avantgarde. The problem is that I am not finding many Elegance spec cars out there at the moment. However, that could all change. Last week, there seemed to be very few 211 estates advertised in the South West at all, whereas quite a few have popped up this week. I shall keep looking.

 

[st4]

You are absolutely right, but I think I had a long enough drive in the 525d to form an opinion.

In terms of E class trim, I do prefer the more traditional look of the Elegance to the Avantgarde. The problem is that I am not finding many Elegance spec cars out there at the moment. However, that could all change. Last week, there seemed to be very few 211 estates advertised in the South West at all, whereas quite a few have popped up this week. I shall keep looking.

Have you looked @ Audi A6 avants. To be a better package than the BMW with more reliable diesel engines, 5* NCAP and the possibility of 4WD.

 

[kusanku]

I had not considered an Audi. Like many others, I have had too many Audi drivers tailgating me, flashing their lights, and overtaking in a risky manner. Probably ridiculous to rule out a perfectly good car just because a percentage of Audi owners are idiots though, and a quick look on the net shows there is one for sale two miles away.

The car which has caught my eye as very good value is the Chrysler 300C estate. There are two of these advertised locally, both 2007 with around 10k on the clock for £15,000ish. Even the Volvo V70 is more expensive than that! Are these Chryslers really bad cars, or do they just not appeal to the U.K. car buyer's taste?

 

[glojo]

Are these Chryslers really bad cars, or do they just not appeal to the U.K. car buyer's taste?

Yes and yes (in my opinion)

Chrysler are very crafty and use the Mercedes link to conn folks into thinking they are buying a quality vehicle. It is an American car with a nice power unit. It is not cheap because it' a bargain, it's cheap because it is what it is (I don't like them)

The 300C and Ssangyong are vehicles that both have a Mercedes power plant, you get what you pay for.

Don't do it

Regards
John

 

[C240Sport97]

I had not considered an Audi. Like many others, I have had too many Audi drivers tailgating me, flashing their lights, and overtaking in a risky manner. Probably ridiculous to rule out a perfectly good car just because a percentage of Audi owners are idiots though, and a quick look on the net shows there is one for sale two miles away.

Audis are the BMWs for the noughties .. just look at their ridiculous LED day running lights.

 

[Mr E]

I did the whole round of big estates before settling back with the S211. Main criteria was the ability to lay guitar cases flat on the floor of the boot space, and the only two that could do this was the S211 and the VW Passat.

I preferred the Audi to the Beemer, but it didn't cut it when it came to load lugging. The Passat was good, but the kids didn't like it in the back and I couldn't get the comfier and more supportive seats I wanted in the trim level I was after.

I liked the Volvo too, but the dealer couldn't be bothered to arrange a test drive and it couldn't do the guitar case thing either.

 

[Mr E]

Almost forgot, I also did the 300C. Most frightening car I've ever driven (well, almost...).

Went like a train in a straight line - couldn't stop or go round corners and the kids got sick in the back driving down the lane to the village where we live...

Did have "presence" tho, looked mean and brooding with all the kit on, but the parking release handle was held on by a piece of string - and less than 500 miles on the clock.

 

[kusanku]

Fair enough. Like they say, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Getting back to E class estates, not a lot new out there. Still finding hardly any elegance spec advertised, quite a few without leather, and some silly asking prices. However, I have noticed that by upping the budget by around £3k, which I realistically could afford, two 2006 E280cdi's come into range, albeit still Avantgarde. Considering quite a few lower mileage 2004 models have similar asking prices, would it be worth paying the extra? How does a 280 compare to a 320?

 

[glojo]

Fair enough. Like they say, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Getting back to E class estates, not a lot new out there. Still finding hardly any elegance spec advertised, quite a few without leather, and some silly asking prices. However, I have noticed that by upping the budget by around £3k, which I realistically could afford, two 2006 E280cdi's come into range, albeit still Avantgarde. Considering quite a few lower mileage 2004 models have similar asking prices, would it be worth paying the extra? How does a 280 compare to a 320?

My guess would be that if you are actually wring the neck out of the car then you will notice a slight difference in performance but they are basically the same engine.

The early Elegance models all came with cloth seats as standard, Avantgarde came with half leather. My wife was very much an Elegance type person who liked the older styled wood finish with black dials, but we had an Avantgarde demonstrator for a week and those white dials with black trim grew on her.

If you are a performance type person that enjoys knowing when you have driven over a one penny piece, then don't forget the Avantgarde has a firm, sporty type suspension compared to the more executive ride of the Elegance

The wheels are also of different styling, but to me it is the suspension issue that you might want to consider. One option that overcomes this is airmatic, but if your buying to a budget then this might not be available.

If your wife intends using the car then I would strongly recommend you see how she gets on with the opening and shutting of the tail-gate. If your the sole driver then disregard my last. The reasons I say this is because some members have mentioned just how heavy the tail-gate is and wished they had gone for the optional electric opening option.

Good luck with the quest
Regards
John

 

[kusanku]

The Elegance spec seems to be a bigger stumbling block than I imagined. For example, on Autotrader this week there are 42 Avantgarde E320 estates up to 3 years old, compared to only 8 Elegance, none of which are in the South West.

I have not driven an Elegance, simply because I have yet to find one near here to try out. How big a difference is there in the suspension? I am definately more oriented towards comfort than performance, partly because my partner shouts at me if I put my foot down. So far, when I ask her, she insists she has no interest whatsoever in what car we drive, and cannot understand why I am taking so long to decide on one. I have not seen any with an electic opening option, but I doubt the tailgate will bother her. Without wishing to sound like a bad 1970s comedian, I think I can get away with saying she is probably stronger than me

Just out of interest, what distance do people think is reasonable to travel to look at a car?

 

[glojo]

Just out of interest, what distance do people think is reasonable to travel to look at a car?

What distance do you think it reasonable to take the thing back if it goes wrong?

If your wife is quite tall then the tailgate will not be an issue but please don't dismiss it.

Suspension
My wife hated the Avantgarde suspension with a vengeance. We previously have only had the Elegance, if you read my signature you will see we have the comfort suspension option which is really the Elegance spec suspension. We could have gone the airmatic route but that would have been a waste of money as the thing would have stayed in comfort mode.

Here in the West Country our roads are more like First World War trenches (slight exaggeration) but when we had a 420GL to play with 'the boss' complained about the firm ride and how bumpy it was until we found the airmatic button and altered the suspension.

Again the Avantgarde ride might appeal, but try before you buy.

Are there no decent estates available or is it there are none available within your price range?

Have you spoken with the sales staff and explained what your looking for? They should be able to source a vehicle or at least be honest and say you need to pay a bit extra.

Just be aware that the cheapest car might work out to be the most expensive. A good example will always fetch a decent price. (would you sell your car for pea-nuts?)

Happy hunting and if you are ever in the Torquay area then please feel free to pop in for a chat and a play with our estate.

Kind regards
John the olde grouch

 

[Chattonmill]

If the Avantgarde variants have airmatic then you have the best of all worlds, mine does and I love it.

 

[Fady]

The Elegance spec seems to be a bigger stumbling block than I imagined. For example, on Autotrader this week there are 42 Avantgarde E320 estates up to 3 years old, compared to only 8 Elegance, none of which are in the South West.

I have not driven an Elegance, simply because I have yet to find one near here to try out. How big a difference is there in the suspension? I am definately more oriented towards comfort than performance, partly because my partner shouts at me if I put my foot down. So far, when I ask her, she insists she has no interest whatsoever in what car we drive, and cannot understand why I am taking so long to decide on one. I have not seen any with an electic opening option, but I doubt the tailgate will bother her. Without wishing to sound like a bad 1970s comedian, I think I can get away with saying she is probably stronger than me

Just out of interest, what distance do people think is reasonable to travel to look at a car?

Distance? All relative ain't it. I tend to buy my cars privately and when I search in the likes of Autotrader I look nationally as I'm prepared to go almost anywhere once I'm 95% sure I've nailed the right car. But i think the amount you are spending and how common the particular car is has to come in to it a bit. Fortunately I've not had to go further than Coventry yet (I'm in Sussex), but I wouldn't go up to Glasgow to pick up say a Ford Fiesta. The way I see it is - you only buy a car once in a while and at max you only need to make two journeys, one to see the car and one to pick it up. So all you're doing is putting yourself out for a couple of hours.

 

[kusanku]

I do not think the price range is a problem. Buying on a budget obviously involves compromise, but I doubt that it is simply a case of spending more. Whatever the price, the majority of 211 estates advertised at the moment appear to be Avantgarde spec, usually in silver. I think this just reflects popularity. Not that I mind the ride quality of an Avantgarde, but I prefer the Walnut trim to the Birds eye maple, and I would like to at least test drive an Elegance before I make a decision, as I generally prefer softer suspension. I would rather something that is not silver, although I have not so far ruled out any cars on this basis.

The main reason for discounting cars so far has been :

- cloth interiors (a surprisingly large number of these)

- distance to travel in order to look at them. I am in Bristol, and for something that looks really good, I would quite happily go as far as Swansea, Birmingham, or London. As I have only been seriously looking for a couple of weeks, I have started out locally, but will probably change this strategy soon. I would not go as far as Manchester, Leeds or York, unless something looked perfect.

- pre-2004 models, largely on the advice of forum members, as many of these were not galvanised.

- Asking price too high, usually in relation to the mileage or age.

- No part-ex offered, simply because there is no room to park 2 cars here at the moment. I have bought privately in the past, but then taken ages to sell my original car, and found the whole process a pain in the neck.

- Feeling iffy about the dealer. Went to look at a 280cdi today that fell into this category, although if I like the car sufficiently, I would get a second opinion and possibly still buy it anyway.

Parking sensors, COMAND, and sun-roof would all be nice, but again, I have not ruled out any cars on the basis of their absence. I am quite happy to pay a bit more for a good example, but I am also very wary about being ripped off, which happened to me a few times when I was younger

I shall keep looking. Thank you for your comments, which I find really helpful.

 

[kusanku]

By a happy coincidence, a black 2005 320cdi with elegance trim, leather and parking sensors has popped up on Autotrader today. Asking price £15,995, with 42k on the clock. A dealer called Howard Wise Cars, with an 0208 phone number, which I assume is North London. Unfortunately, have not been able to get an answer from either phone number listed, and there is no website. If I can get an answer, and he takes part-ex, I will make a trip over to look at this one.

 

[kusanku]

There is another one here for the same price, although with double the mileage, which is described as a Euro 4. What does that mean?

 

[st4]

There is another one here for the same price, although with double the mileage, which is described as a Euro 4. What does that mean?

Its to do with emissions. EU4 is a newer standard than EU3.

With E320cdi cars you need to be aware that a around 2005/6 a replacement engine came in. an EU3 is is a 3.2 litre I6 engine. Some of the later I6's were EU4 (lower emissions but less economical).

Then the switch came and a new 3.0 V6 appeared, along with a 7sp transmission (some praise it, some don't). Its a smoother but less economical engine. The V6's are all EU4.

Check the V5 or even easier open the bonnet to check what kind of engine is peering back at you. Some praise the V6 for its smoothness, but be aware its an altogether thristier car than the older I6 3.2.

 

[glojo]

The EU4 spec did come out at the latter stages of the straight six reignh. It was slightly more expensive than the EU3 and more thirsty. Not a common sight and a strange option. Noi pointe

Good luck
Regards
John

 

[st4]

The EU4 spec did come out at the latter stages of the straight six reignh. It was slightly more expensive than the EU3 and more thirsty. Not a common sight and a strange option. Noi pointe

Good luck
Regards
John

The trick could be to find a galvanised EU3 I6. So a nice 54 plate one with leather + parktronic.