Buying advice on W211 E Class

[giedrala25]

First of all wanted to say hi for everyone on this forum.

I'm looking to buy my first Mercedes, My budget is about £8000. I would prefer 07-08 plate E class. I found loads of info on this forum and other forums about pre-facelift models. Also what should I look for when buying facelift car? Do they have they own common faults?

Car will be driven mostly on a city roads, occasionally on motorways. Should I get 2.2 or 3.0 litre engine, pros and cons. Also trying to find out if anyone having problems with DPF who is driving on a city roads. Should I look for petrol engine?

Any info will be appreciated, thank you in advance.

 

[John]

Welcome to the forum.

What sort of mileage do you do a year?

Anything less than 10,000 and I would consider a petrol, especially with the city driving.

If not, I've never owned a diesel but I understand the 3.0 6 cylinder is pretty good on the juice overall and not a lot less economical than the 4 cylinder units. No larger-engine medium sized car is great on the juice around town!

By buying a facelifted car (2006 onwards), you avoid the SBC pump replacement cost and they are supposed to be a lot more reliable from 2006 onwards - although older ones aren't unreliable saying that.

The fact you are buying a Merc probably means you don't mind spending some money in that department - but be aware of examples fitted with air suspension (Airmatic). Whilst this will give you a much nicer ride on the road, it can be expensive to fix and the age of car you are buying it may soon need attention - and most of the parts to fix it aren't particularly cheap - especially the air springs on each corner.

 

[blue gnome123]

The 2.2l engine has a fanastic reliability record (one of my regular airport taxi drivers had 0.5M miles out of the original engine before he sold it). The 3.0 is good but check the turbo port inlet motor since these can let go and it's a new turbo.

The 2.2 will be better around town but the 3.0 is very good on a long run.

Also in the 2007-2008 range neither does automatically have a DPF . My 2008 3.0l didn't.

 

[prprandall51]

Also in the 2007-2008 range neither does automatically have a DPF . My 2008 3.0l didn't.

Surprising - I thought the DPF was fitted to EU4 cars onwards, which would be 2006MY. Not 100% sure, but that's what I thought.

 

[blue gnome123]

DPF were compulsory from 2009 although obviously fitted frequently prior to that.

 

[giedrala25]

Thanks a lot guys for this info, usually I do between 8000-10000 miles per year. But I'm thinking to move outside London in the near future, obviously will be doing more miles to get to work.

@ JohnEboy

How to find out which cars has air suspension?

 

[guydewdney]

Air is an option. Look for buttons rear of gear lever having markings. Nearest driver is parking, the middle and left are airmatic.