Buying a second hand e class convertible, which one?

[jon1968]

Hi everyone, just joined the forum and been looking through old posts.
I'm considering buying a 3-4 year old e class but not sure which one to get. Can anyone tell me what are the differences between the 220, 250 and 350. obviously engine size is the main thing, I'm not really interested in going fast, in that I'm not gonna be trying to race people away from the lights so was veering towards a more economical model but I've also read that the diesel can be a bit noisy. Any advice would be appreciated.
Jon

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Hi there

We have a 2012 e250cdi Se convertible which is a super car.

We tested the 350cdi, and whilst more refined and faster, for us the extra fuel costs and purchase price couldn't be justified.

We wanted an Se rather than the sport as they are less bling, so to be fair we had very little choice.

The car has returned a good 45 mpg average, and we see over 50 on a gentle run.

Reliability wise, a little disappointing for what is a pricey motor. Hood has played up, turbo is leaking oil, Mercedes dealer nightmare to deal with both on purchase and subsequent servicing.

Overall the car is technically superb, more than quick enough, comfortable, quiet and can use the roof down all year round with air scarf and the air scarf (which increases wind noise dramatically and hits the mpg but keeps the kids toasty in the back)

Interior is disappointingly bland but very functional. Sat nav has no 7 digit postcode, disappointing, and not as good as that in my 2011 Volvo xc70, which also makes the Mercedes interior look boring and cheap.

All in all I'd recommend one, if you want to go very fast and make a nice nice chose the 350, good all rounder the 250 is very good, can't be any reason to have a 220 unless cheap to buy

Good luck

 

[jon1968]

Thanks very much for the info. That's really useful and will be very helpful with my choice. It looks like it might be the 250.

 

[MBDevotee]

Does it need to be diesel? How many miles a year do you do?

If more than 15k then yes - diesel of course

However if under that, many people are swinging back to petrol as they are ridiculously good on fuel now.

 

[Piff]

Very few petrol ones on the used market though. I've been looking and there doesn't seem to be any price difference between petrol & diesel either. So why not go for the higher mpg & higher torque.
Example - lowest price petrol under 40k miles £19000 35.8mpg
Example - similar priced diesel under 40k miles £19200 46.3mpg

 

[johns E350]

I have a 350 v6 and it is in my opinion the best car I have owned very refined plenty of power and 7 digit post code on mine. So don't know why the other poster does not have it on his + if you have the 350 you get twin exhausts which just look better than a single one on the left hand side 350 every time around 35 mpg around town and around 50 mpg on a run
I also disagree that the interior is bland ???

 

[cctesta]

CCAAALLVIINN - what roof problems have you had?

 

[Deleted member 11979]

There have been two, the rear deck "banging" back into position

And troublesome boot separator not closed warning resulting in having to empty the boot

No idea why it's not a 7 digit postcode, maybe yours is newer?

Your also seems to have a roof???????

 

[MBDevotee]

Very few petrol ones on the used market though. I've been looking and there doesn't seem to be any price difference between petrol & diesel either. So why not go for the higher mpg & higher torque.
Example - lowest price petrol under 40k miles £19000 35.8mpg
Example - similar priced diesel under 40k miles £19200 46.3mpg

Because although the diesels have higher "manufacturers claimed" economy based on the totally pointless "European tests", the reality is there is very little actual difference in consumption on real roads in real driving.

And yes, the peak torque figure is better, but it's produced over a very narrow power band, 2000rpm - 4000 rpm - meaning it's a pretty pointless figure - the fact is the petrols are smoother, quieter, and vastly more reliable.

Yes the diesel will give a good 2-10mpg benefit, but they are a LOT less reliable these days, and when they go wrong they cost a lot more to fix.....

That's why....

 

[cctesta]

I have the 7 digit postcode entry on my one year old. My roof clunks into place. It seems pretty water tight but I've had the seals lubricated twice already to stop annoying rattles.

I have the 250 diesel and cover 1500 miles a month. I get about 45 mpg and do rate the car positively but I wish I'd gone for the 350.

Sometimes I find the seats great but recently I've not been able to get comfy, but that's just me as I'm 6ft8.

I don't find the car noisey but I did get the Harmon Karden sound system which might drown out any outside noise.

I dont think I'd have the 19 inch wheels again even though they look good.

Would I get another one after 18 months of ownership? I will see what the new one looks like but I'd prefer a 4x4.

 

[johns E350]

There have been two, the rear deck "banging" back into position And troublesome boot separator not closed warning resulting in having to empty the boot No idea why it's not a 7 digit postcode, maybe yours is newer? Your also seems to have a roof???????

No mine is older than 2012
I am sure they can be updated by M-B to take 7 digit post code

 

[johns E350]

Because although the diesels have higher "manufacturers claimed" economy based on the totally pointless "European tests", the reality is there is very little actual difference in consumption on real roads in real driving. And yes, the peak torque figure is better, but it's produced over a very narrow power band, 2000rpm - 4000 rpm - meaning it's a pretty pointless figure - the fact is the petrols are smoother, quieter, and vastly more reliable. Yes the diesel will give a good 2-10mpg benefit, but they are a LOT less reliable these days, and when they go wrong they cost a lot more to fix..... That's why....

Don't talk nonsense

 

[reflexboy]

Although not a convertible, I have a 2011, 350 diesel saloon and get similar mileage to John. 35 around town is easily achievable as is 50ish on a run. I loved the look of the sport with the AMG kit, but hated the road noise of the suspension and the tightness of the seat bolsters. I got lucky and found a sport with standard suspension, and although it doesn't handle as well as the sport, it's pretty quiet. Mine also has almond beige leather, which luckily for me, didn't come in sports seats, so I have the Avantgarde seats. I don't suppose I'll ever see one with that spec again!
Engine wise, I really do not need a diesel as I do relatively low miles, but I love the effortless power and massive torque of the V6. Even when floored, it's no really noisy at all-like diesels used to be. Surprisingly, the 0-60 time is on par with my previous 5 litre V8 SL500-but that did 14mpg round town!

 

[Deleted member 11979]

No mine is older than 2012 I am sure they can be updated by M-B to take 7 digit post code

Thank you for that, I'll look into it as it's a bit of a pain

 

[Piff]

Because although the diesels have higher "manufacturers claimed" economy based on the totally pointless "European tests", the reality is there is very little actual difference in consumption on real roads in real driving.

And yes, the peak torque figure is better, but it's produced over a very narrow power band, 2000rpm - 4000 rpm - meaning it's a pretty pointless figure - the fact is the petrols are smoother, quieter, and vastly more reliable.

Yes the diesel will give a good 2-10mpg benefit, but they are a LOT less reliable these days, and when they go wrong they cost a lot more to fix.....

That's why....

Hmmm..............
We have a SLK250CDi, 204hp & 500Nm torque
Just returned from Docklands (London) today to Suffolk, with a stop at West Thurrock. Total journey time about 1hr 45 mins. Apart from Docklands area, around West Thurrock and the last few miles, mostly dual carriageways. Some dual carrigeway bits quite busy, but maybe 70% allowed use of cruise control at 70mph.
Dash display read 55.3mpg on arrival home - get within anywhere near that with a petrol engine?

As for going wrong & expensive to fix - I've had a variety of diesel cars/pick-up trucks over the last 15 or so years, including 1 Audi, 1 Mitsubishi, 1 Nissan, 2 Volvo's & iirc 5 Merc's. Not one of them has had any engine problem and has cost no more than standard servicing.