Change, update, do nothing... my S211 E320cdi Estate

[A210AMG]

Hello

I've been toying with the idea of changing my car lately. However it does what it does so well and recently on a 2000mile week away in the Alps I'm not sure I would be more happy spending any more?

I only do around 6000 miles per year but it also needs to tow a large van and carry all our stuff / bikes / garden purchases / holiday stuff etc..

The car I thought I would probably swap for could be a new S212 E250Cdi but then I think...just to sit on the drive during the week its a bit silly...

I would love a E55 estate but having now had the Cdi I just couldn't get my head round 20mpg again... I should have bought one after my ML350 (petrol) it would have seemed economical !!

My other idea is a S211 Sport, but really its the same car...ish so spending more to look the same.... then I like the R class and the ML's

So for now as I have no idea the cars a keeper.....


However I'm thinking what could I 'do' to it. Way out thoughts includes a wide arch RS4 style arches and bigger wider wheels (but realistically thats not happening)

So its either different wheels, probably the sport ones...

slight drop (its needs to tow)

I would like an exhaust (chrome) on each side? can I fit the sport lower trim to mine? and get the trims?

Anything else I could do that people would recommend. I like changing bits and find that doing that saves me an awful lot as swappings cars can get pricey...

I think it looks good currently but nothing wrong with changing things. So this is how it looks currently.

 

[developer]

I went from S211 to S211 and enjoyed every minute of it (still do).

A Sport would give you the twin exhausts you want and a Sport with an AMG kit (er, like mine) would give you a little extra.

I differentiated mine by looking for the best spec I could find and it took me a long time to find it, but it was great fun looking.

However, I'd be looking at an S212 in your shoes- prices have dropped and specs have increased (auto tailgate standard for example).

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Buy a facelift S211 E320 CDi Sport.

Job done.

 

[A210AMG]

^ your right if I swap this for another E class it will be the S212.

The spec's are very good, all the bits I would want are almost standard now (I would like roof, metalic, long range tank) and maybe a few other options... but for the most part they are pretty good.

I don't even need a quick one, I think I'm driving slower day by day... more interested in mpg these days

Your right the sport has the visual bits I would like (very few have the bodykit) but wheels and exhaust should be easy ish... to do.

I need to step away from piston heads / autotrader if truth be known but how many of us have them as favourites

 

[bpsorrel]

I know exactly how you feel! I got that itch after a couple of years with my S211 and bought it the facelift CLS wheels (as it happens, they've carried over to the CLS I now have!) and was happy for a few more months, then the itch came back..... so after a lot of deliberating, I finally bought the CLS. I do miss the reliability, economy and practicality of my old S211, but after 3 years it was definately time for a change and another 211 wouldn't have scratched the itch for me!!

Strangely, I think the itch is going to come quicker this time....

 

[mobeyone]

I think the S211 sport is still one of the best looking estates on the road.

Get the facelift sport but a late one. I see low mileage 08 plates still retailing at near £20k and if you were to source one from MB then the warranty is also in your favour.

I really do like mine, sport wheels will be added at some point this year and I may lower it as the front sits a little too high for me.

Wired thing is, I can park the vito and polo no problem like the previa before it but I never get the S211 in first time!

 

[Tinck]

Swapping cars is a nightmare. I was looking at swapping my c class estate for a new e class estate, executive SE spec, but with rational thought, (I spend most of the time in the car bombing up and down the motorway doing my job) realised it was mad me having that and my wife taking kids to school etc in an A3.

Then I had the bright idea to swap my Merc for the wife's A3, she's happy with that ( she's not speaking to me, but that means she hasn't said NO!) and then trade that in for something more interesting, like a convertible. I will probably change my mind again, but if you like cars what do you do?


I need 4 seats, but as I have said on another post, Audi have a great deal on the A5, but my local Merc dealer has near as damn it matched the deal on a new 220 sport e class convertible. Test driving that on Saturday.

 

[st4]

Keep it. More proven engine and better IMHO box. Fit 211 sport wheels and save your hard earned. Don't do what I did, chop in a good reliable car, £6000 of cash and end up with something that's a hassle. Keep saving fir what you really want, the 212 is my take on this

 

[C240Sport97]

keep it ..

a change will not be worth it unless it is something completely different. Incremental improvements invariably cost a lot, and leave you unsatisfied.

 

[Rory]

I'm minded to keep mine - everytime I look at changing, something bad happens!

Got made redundant just after getting my MB, and I looked at changing it a couple of years ago and my current company lost a very big contract.

I do hanker after an SUV though. Might look at the new M Class 250CDi . A V6 one would be lovely, and I don't do a lot of miles either, but do tend to do quite regular 400 mile round trips and not sure I could live with something doing sub 30MPG

 

[A210AMG]

I'm coming to that idea...

The car has been fantastic and really has earned its keep (touch wood) its needed nothing major over the time My dad and myself have owned it.

I don't really see the point in swapping like you say fro what I know to a second hand Sport model... its not 'that' much different..

The S212, R class or ML would at least be a different car all togther.

So I may look at what I can do to this

 

[BTB 500]

Another thought - will almost certainly be cheaper to insure another car that has the bits you want as standard than your current one after modifying it.

 

[Seamster15]

I changes a reliable high mileage car last year to upgrade to a newer model, much like ***.

Absolute disaster. Not stop problems, an upset wife etc...

Unless its to be a new/nearly new car with main dealer warranty I'd not change esp as yours came via a family member from new...

Actually...... yes sell - I'll take it!

 

[A210AMG]

Another thought - will almost certainly be cheaper to insure another car that has the bits you want as standard than your current one after modifying it.

I've added 18" wheels and a Brabus D6 box since owning this, my insurace now with Adrian flux dropped around £150 with mods declared than the standard car with no mods with admiral.


I think age / miles I do and postcode helps a lot now

 

[jaymanek]

The R class is a great car and we have one...we are looking for a 7 seater to replace our 6...
However it only does 30mpg on a run and around 22-25 average.

If i were you, doing 6K a year, id indulge in a 55 estate.

 

[Deleted member 55947]

I was having exactly the same thoughts as you A210AMG but decided spending £20k couldn't be justified. My car has everything I want, I do about 5k a year and it sits on the drive most of the time. Would a newer car be 3 or 4 times better, I think not

 

[A210AMG]

The R class is a great car and we have one...we are looking for a 7 seater to replace our 6...
However it only does 30mpg on a run and around 22-25 average.

If i were you, doing 6K a year, id indulge in a 55 estate.

^ I would love one, my old boss had one and it was simply awesome. At the time I had a manual 330ci BMW and that was reasonably quick but the merc was just amazing !!!

If I could fit a towbar legally then I would 'probably' go for one... Its the fact it does 20mpg and no tow bar



Harrythedog...

Your right, I walk or ride past it sat on the drive most of the week days, athough we do use it at the weekends. It seems silly in a way having a 25K / 30K car sitting there losing money.

My car has very little more to lose

 

[DSLiverpool]

Ah the palmball effect (a less severe case however)