Buying an E320 or E500???

[After Shock]

Hello all,

I need some advice please!

I'm thinking of swopping cars!!

I love my E320 but I have had it a while sooooo........!

I'm thinking of either a 320 or 500.

Mine has pritty much every single option. The first owner ticked every single box!!

Seen these:

Used UNIQUE AS NEW HIGHEST SPEC E320 ESTATE for sale - PistonHeads (Ref 697579)

MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS E320 CDI AVANTGARDE [EURO 4] [7] 5DR TIP AUTO Estate for sale in Rickmansworth | Auto Trader

I'd like a "fully loaded" car again. Bit of a must now really after having them once!

Looking at E500's I like them.

Any pros or cons??

This post appeals!!
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/123658-e500-estate-pics.html

So ....... any thoughts anyone?

Anyone seen any fab cars out there?

Many thanks,
David

 

[Mercator]

Unfortunately I think you will find there are very few S211 E500 out there with the 5.5 engine. I know this as I have been mulling the idea of one myself.

 

[sinewave]

Is there much benefit in fuel over an E63?

 

[MD5]

I own an M113 engined E500 estate. I've read that the later 5.5 engine has a problem with some inferior quality engine bearing components, and that there are a few law suits going on in the States. The 5 litre engine has been around since around 1998, is fairly bullet proof, with crank sensors seeming to be the only weakness, along with the cost of replacing 16 spark plugs. I'm not sure when the 113 was replaced or if they are available in the facelift version therefore. I managed 25mpg recently on a run, but it's usually 21/22 mpg.

The 7Gtronic box works well with the V8 engine, making the power seemless, always being in the right gear when accelerating, which it does with great ease. It would pay you to get these 7G cars checked on a Star machine, as I discovered a fault code on mine, which is common to the gear selector unit, although nothing has materialised, with no symptoms apparent to date (about a £1300 fix for the complete unit, with a smaller part within it possibly being replaceable at about half that).

211 estate cars are highly praised, and with a 5.0 engine, they are an absolute joy to drive. Quick, quiet, fast, practical and thirsty, and probably the most trouble free engine overall.

 

[Mercator]

Is there much benefit in fuel over an E63?

The official figures for what they are worth are:


URBAN EX URBAN COMB
E500 5.5 388hp 16.3 33.2 23.9

E500 5.0 306hp 16.3 33.6 24.4

E63 6.3 514hp 12.5 28.5 19.5

I agree that if concererned with economy one should not be looking at any of these cars, but think the E500 figures are just about acceptable.

I blame the trip computer for the general obsession with economy - I just can't stop myself looking at the mpg for a trip, although I realize it doesn't really matter.

There is also the fact that the E63s available are still priced around £30k (albeit some have been available a very long time) whereas the 500s are much cheaper, although I don't know the correct price for a 5.5 as none are for sale.

 

[st4]

If you can get the E500 or AMG varients why not.

The E320cdi is a master class in refinement and power too with economy, but they can present larger bills than the 500 (on the proviso the timing gear on the 5.5 is upgraded).

I hate 7g and couldn't recommend a 7g equipped car to anyone, so get an E55k estate

 

[developer]

That "highest spec" E320 isn't.

Many talk about highest spec, few have it.

 

[st4]

High spec just means more to go wrong for things you don't really need.

All AG/sport E classes come very high spec, CD player, xenons, rear SLS on estates, most have leather if you are silly, part electric seats.

 

[mct_cars]

E500 is a great car, very quick - the traction control can get a lot of use! Ignore the horse power (306 is quite a few though), it's the 340lb ft of torque with nearly 300 just over tickover that makes these quick.

All came with full leather, 4 zone climate, 17" wheels (to fit the bigger brakes), Airmatic and from 2004, 7 speed gearbox. Strangely you can get avantgarde and elegance - never worked out why (other than if you want different colour wood!)

Watch out for Air Suspension problems, other than that, no real issues other than standard W211 ones. Almost all came with Comand or APS 50 (personally I would hunt down a one with a CD Player and get the new Comand fitted instead).

Expect 15-20 knocking about, and high 20's on a run.

Edited to add - 16 spark plugs and they're expensive, but UK servicing says 80k, US servicing (same engine, same car) says 150k so don't worry about it!

 

[developer]

To answer your PM David, there are loads around and you really just have to keep looking. Searching nationwide will reveal more. i spent 6 months looking for mine and then I just happened upon it.

Best of luck.

 

[st4]

Re airmatic issues, 211 front springs snap, the airmatic may not be such a bad feature to have.

The V6CDI puts out more torque, maybe not spread thoughtout such a wide rev range, but wide enough to make them very fast cars.

Its the unreliability and known issues with that engine from swirl flap motors, manifolds, main engine bearings that make it costlier to run potentially (particularly for a lowish miles driver) than the 500.

 

[developer]

High spec just means more to go wrong for things you don't really need.

Don't knock it till you've tried it Steve.

I'm sure if your new baby came with keyless it would be the best thing since sliced bread .

 

[st4]

Don't knock it till you've tried it Steve.

I'm sure if your new baby came with keyless it would be the best thing since sliced bread .

It has an electric tailgate that I already know I do not get along with. Keyless go, I've tried a car with it, hate it, need to put the bloody fob somehwere, the ignition seems a good place....

The Aux in, standard seats, auto lights, auto wipers, automatic gears, sports back and half leather are all ideal things, but standard.

Sometimes less is more, and a less equiped but well resolved standard car can be more rewarding and fulfilling than a loaded one (I had BMW with loads of stuff, half of which never used).

Its like my old mans S class, its overcomplex, and there is so much in it that I cannot fathom (I'm not a techie sort of chap, nor computery) and basic things are so complex with that blasted rotary knob.

Shame, as with all the screens turned off, its a pleasant large car, but I couldn't get on with a car with so much gear in it.

 

[mct_cars]

Re airmatic issues, 211 front springs snap, the airmatic may not be such a bad feature to have.

The V6CDI puts out more torque, maybe not spread thoughtout such a wide rev range, but wide enough to make them very fast cars.

Its the unreliability and known issues with that engine from swirl flap motors, manifolds, main engine bearings that make it costlier to run potentially (particularly for a lowish miles driver) than the 500.

The straight six and IL6 are both very quick cars, but the 500 is in a different league and feels quite special - you're right the V6 has more torque, but only between 2-3k rpm. If you compare torque and BHP curves, the 270CDi is worth a look as it has more torque and BHP than the IL6 up to 3k rpm (but then tails off).

 

[MD5]

I hate 7g and couldn't recommend a 7g equipped car to anyone, so get an E55k estate

Steve, I don't know if you've tried the 7G behind a V8, but the box works well with the right engine, which the V8 is. A friend of mine had a 350 SLK with the 7G, which didn't seem right at all.

 

[st4]

Steve, I don't know if you've tried the 7G behind a V8, but the box works well with the right engine, which the V8 is. A friend of mine had a 350 SLK with the 7G, which didn't seem right at all.

E500 coupe M273 engine. Violent gear changes etc

 

[After Shock]

Hmmmm Thanks all.........

I'll ponder!

The 500 really appeals. I'm not in a rush so I'll watch the adverts I think.

Oh ... If anyone sees a great E500 Estate!! Shout please!!!

 

[raymbc]

E500 Sport Estate

Hi Aftershock,

Assuming you are still pondering 2 years on, and that would be a lot of pondering, I have (but have not yet advertised) a 2008 E500 with 75,000 miles that is looking for a new home.

Obsidian black with black leather and every extra. I bought it in 2008 from an MB dealership with 7,000 miles as an ex-demonstrator.

The MB Club is my first port of call. The last thing I want to see is this car being sold "into the trade", so would be happy to hear from you or any other member of MBC.