Buying an E-class diesel - advice please!!!

[llewellynd]

at 37k mine has just had £1000 spent on it



Having just bought an E220, do you mean the last service was £1000 or all services to date have cost £1000? If its the latter, its cheaper to run than my previous Discovery and Shogun. If its the former, whats the going rate for a kidney these days

 

[the zacster]

I will very respectfully say I take the remarks by 'honest'John with a pinch of salt (a journalist calling himself honest!!! ) Having an opening statement of "The W211 E500 is probably the finest car you can buy in the real world in 2002" He may well be an excellent source of information, but I fear what he has wrote about the 211 may not be his best piece of work. Have to be careful what I say as he supplies a link to this excellent forum. Alwight John???

There have indeed been recalls and also upgrades. As has already been discussed it is most important ALL these are completed. There are far more than the few listed by the 'Honest' journalist.
John

Good points, John. Completely agree that the write-up (which was clearly prepared when the 211 was first released) is out of date. Its the recall list that I found helpful, but as this may not be comprehensive enough, do you have any advice on where to find the most complete list of recalls and upgrades? Cheers!

 

[glojo]

do you have any advice on where to find the most complete list of recalls and upgrades? Cheers!

Unfortunately I do not.
I always try to give an honest opinion and contrary to what some folks say, I have found every dealership I have spoken to, extremely helpful. If you want to find out what, if any upgrade work needs to be done, then usually a quick phone call to your local dealer will suffice. Just give htem either the VIN or registration number. My dealer has even taken our car away to simply install a couple of these upgrades.

If you have purchased the vehicle privately and are unfortunate enough to have an unhelpful dealer, then perhaps you might have to bite the bullet and the next time the vehicle is due for a service, simply make sure it goes to a main dealer and make a point of requesting they carry out any recall, or upgrade work.

All the upgrades are **free, and either improve or enhance the vehicle. I have no idea if a good independant will have these upgrades, but hopefully our very highly regarded 'independant' can comment? (I have the utmost respect for his skills and ability)

If an independant cannot carry out these very important upgrades, then perhaps we should review our opinions about their use? Yes I have said the upgrades are free, but that is solely from personal experience.

**I have read of owners who have gone to a dealer and actually paid for the upgrades. I am thinking mainly of the Mp3 one, but the dealer was not hte dealership used for servicing the vehicle.

John

 

[petef]

Hi Studman, what about the rust problems on the mercs ???..Just a consideration really. Yes mercedes repair the rust under warranty but do you want the hassle on a £20k car of running back and forth to dealers. Why not consider the BMW 320d In my opinion a far superior car, no rust and cheaper !!....you maybe ba able afford the 330d..wow !!!..I think you should try both the merc and bmw before you decide.
Good Luck with your decision.

 

[jeremytaylor]

Surely the 320 should be compared to a C-class. Much smaller/different kettle of fish to an E.

 

[glojo]

Surely the 320 should be compared to a C-class. Much smaller/different kettle of fish to an E.

You had me going for a minute Can't get my head round these 'turn-coats' recommending the unspeakable.

Totally agree, 3 series equates to C-class and the 'titchy' 5 series equates to the excellent E-class.

Am I bias? Yup

John

 

[jeremytaylor]

Is this going to be another case where someone registers, asks one question and leaves while we contribute for days?

It does appear to be that way.

 

[ChrissyBoy]

E270 CDI for sale

Mines for sale (I love her, but company car forces sale :-( ):

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/to...category=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200609226732398

And I'm willing to talk discount to anybody who's interested from this forum.

 

[petef]

You had me going for a minute Can't get my head round these 'turn-coats' recommending the unspeakable.

Totally agree, 3 series equates to C-class and the 'titchy' 5 series equates to the excellent E-class.

Am I bias? Yup

John

......Yea 3 series smaller but in terms of a prestige german diesel car , economy / practicality/ reliability/ initial cost / rust / servicing / resale / residual value / etc...( I have three kids and all fit in with accessories fine )...I think its a far better all round package. I really cant understand why anyone in their right mind would buy a car that has a history of rust related problems . We are living in the year 2006 and shoddy workmanship does not sit very well with me...especially when you have paid over £20 k for a car !!!.. The older mercs are a far more superior motor combining style, reliability and prestige. A friend of mine has owned his c180 for 10 years, has done over 100,000 miles and it hasnt peeped !!...oh and not a blemish on the paintwork...infact I may buy it for the wife...

 

[glojo]

......Yea 3 series smaller

The bootom line though is that the 535d is the equivalent and regarding reliability, it is on a par with the 2005/6 E-class.

The BMW does have problems.
John

 

[studman]

Blimey... I'm overwhelmed with the number & level of responses!

I've not had any experience of joining a forum like this before - have no intention of just asking 1 question & buggering off, but I haven't found or bought the Merc yet & therefore haven't got a lot to contribute at the moment!

Thanks so much for the help / advice & I'll let you know how I get on with the purchase. I think I will be looking at the E320CDI, I know it'll be the more expensive to run but I like the thought of the extra performance if & when I need it...

Personally I'd love to have the estate instead but can't see the missus having it!

Thanks again,
John

 

[glojo]

Personally I'd love to have the estate instead but can't see the missus having it!

Thanks again,
John

Hi John,
Has your wife actually sat in the estate, and of course driven BOTH??? My midget wife is the sole driver of ours, they are approximately the same size, you can argue that the corners of the estate are easier to see, or guess , plus of course there is parktronic.

If you really want the estate then perhaps, chocolates, or roses might help sway your case, along with a test drive of course.

Regards
John

 

[DieselE]

I've not had any experience of joining a forum like this before - have no intention of just asking 1 question & buggering off, but I haven't found or bought the Merc yet & therefore haven't got a lot to contribute at the moment!

Glad you're still around. Sorry for doubting you.

 

[studman]

Sweeping sexist generalisation here, but you don't think my wife would actually be interested in driving the cars, or how they drive do you!?!?

It's purely on looks. She thinks all estate cars look like farmers cars. (Apologies - no offence intended to any estate car owners or farmers for that matter...)

Personally, I've always found estate cars more practical, easier to park etc but I think it might be more than chocolates & roses needed this time... Maybe a posh handbag & shoes may clinch it???

 

[DieselE]

You could even try the logical argument that estates tend to keep their value better!

 

[DITTRICH]

Studman!
How much luggage does your other half take on holiday? Mine would take the kitchen sink if she could. So if the 3 of you go on holiday in the car, could all her stuff be crammed into a saloon? I persuaded my other half by folding down all the seats on an estate and reeling off a list of things that could be fitted in there. Having seen the SPACE available she was 'sold'. Of course if your wife can pack then this advice is totally useless - but hey! it worked for me.
Rgds
Les
PS If you find yourself going on holiday with loads of extra posh handbags and shoes - don't blame me.

 

[jeremytaylor]

And estates look less like private hire cars - you see so many E-class saloons in London with their give-away fluorescent yellow disc in the top corner of the screens.

 

[glojo]

Sweeping sexist generalisation here, but you don't think my wife would actually be interested in driving the cars, or how they drive do you!?!?

Ooops Many apologies, but on the + side You are getting some excellent down trodden male type tips. Who knows Pammy might give a 'she-male' type perspective?

If all else fails, turn down your bottom lip and......... sulk

Good luck,
John

Oooops just remembered,
Do NOT let her try to open the tailgate (In joke that may, or may not get a response )

Good luck,
John

 

[petef]

Does seem from my experience that most women dislike estate cars and see then as fuddy duddy...which always amazes me as most women generally dont give a monkeys about a car as long as it gets them from A to B ....do they ?????....WOMEN MEMBERS CONTRIBUTE PLEASE !!!!!!

 

[glojo]

Does seem from my experience that most women dislike estate cars and see then as fuddy duddy...which always amazes me as most women generally dont give a monkeys about a car as long as it gets them from A to B ....do they ?????....WOMEN MEMBERS CONTRIBUTE PLEASE !!!!!!

Boy oh boy... Jackpot

My wife says you should apologise for your stereo typical.........

Oh I forgot to mention, I bought her the E-class ESTATE because SHE likes it, now PLEASE think before replying

..and the apology John ????

Have a nice day,
John