Difference between pre and post facelift W210

[russtic]

Hi Folks,

My first post on here. Thinking about getting an E-Class (W210), and trying to decide whether it's worth stretching to the facelift model, or sticking to a pre-facelift one. I'm talking about the '99 change that introduced a new grille and indicators in the door mirrors.

Can anyone please let me know the differences between the two (was the steering wheel changed, was the economy affected by the lower bonnet etc.)

If there's a resource and some pics you could point me towards I'd be very grateful, otherwise I'd love to hear your (no doubt biased) views about the respective versions of this car!

Thanks very much in advance,
Russ.

 

[Flash]

I would go for face lift as the pre-face lift looks quite outdated now.

On the ‘99 facelift the bumpers and side skirts, and grill were modified and as you mentioned the indicators were added to the wing mirrors.

Engines were modified and CDIs replaced the turbdoeseles and Kompressor was introduced for the E200.

I assume the interior may have too possibly been changed slightly.

I would def go for the face lift personally with leather.

Flash

 

[Brian WH]

Having had all three of the last E Classes, I would say that they improved at each stage of the upgrade.

My first was a 1996 E200, second 1999 E280, and now the 2003 E320CDI.

I would certainly recommend the 1999 upgraded version (£2000 of mods at no extra price). Go for Avantgarde to get all the goodies + leather is a must, engine is your choice, but 320 CDI if you can run to it will give great power and economy. Full service history is a must also.

Good luck.

 

[Benzowner]

I would go for face lift as the pre-face lift looks quite outdated now.

My E300 Turbo Diesel Estate still looks great, damn cheek specially in silver, blue leather, debadged :bannana: :bannana:

 

[uumode]

Also

The facelift version is safer
http://www.euroncap.com/details.php3?id=mercedes_eclass_1998

Has *tronic auto Vs std 5 speed

a smoothed out and more integrated front spoiler/bumper which sort of mirrors the CLK.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

As stated above:

-No black sideskirts or black lower bumper trim
-Darker rearclusters
-CLK-ish front grill - more sloped
-Blinking Mirrors
-New front bumper
-Full Body coloured bumpers, no darker upper trim
-LED high level brake light (strip of lights instead of the 'Box')

 

[uumode]

..and different steering wheel
possibly with audio controls

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Oh, and I nearly forgot, more rust

 

[uumode]

Oh, and I nearly forgot, more rust

you mean pre-facelift has more rust?

facelift has less rust I would imagine post 1999

 

[KillerHERTZ]

both as bad as each other so I hear :0

 

[kusanku]

I was thinking of getting an E320 cdi, and have also looked at 300DTs. Have yet to see a single example without any rust. One of the few people I've met with a rust-free example has now had his boot done under warranty, but found some rust coming through on one of the doors. If they were cheap cars, I might take the risk and waxoyl all the obvious places, as I did with an old Capri and Orion I owned. But 210s are not cheap cars. Has anyone found a way to tackle this, or am I right in concluding these cars are a bad venture?

 

[uumode]

I was thinking of getting an E320 cdi, and have also looked at 300DTs. Have yet to see a single example without any rust. One of the few people I've met with a rust-free example has now had his boot done under warranty, but found some rust coming through on one of the doors. If they were cheap cars, I might take the risk and waxoyl all the obvious places, as I did with an old Capri and Orion I owned. But 210s are not cheap cars. Has anyone found a way to tackle this, or am I right in concluding these cars are a bad venture?

Best bet is to find one that has been warranty repaired like mine
(but I'm not selling my of course)

or to find a 1999 T registration or younger with full MB service history and Mobilolife (the 30 year anti corrosion warranty), because if rust appears later, there should be at least a safety net.

 

[russtic]

Thanks for the info, folks. I'll let you know how I get on!

Russ.

 

[kusanku]

or to find a 1999 T registration or younger with full MB service history and Mobilolife (the 30 year anti corrosion warranty), because if rust appears later, there should be at least a safety net.

I'm not sure how good a safety net the warranty is. When I recently enquired at MB Direct, they told me the anti-corrosion cover is only for 7 years. The Mobilolife scheme is also dependent upon main dealer servicing. I've also encountered tales of difficulties arising with the repair work.

 

[uumode]

or to find a 1999 T registration or younger with full MB service history and Mobilolife (the 30 year anti corrosion warranty), because if rust appears later, there should be at least a safety net.

I'm not sure how good a safety net the warranty is. When I recently enquired at MB Direct, they told me the anti-corrosion cover is only for 7 years. The Mobilolife scheme is also dependent upon main dealer servicing. I've also encountered tales of difficulties arising with the repair work.

Anti-corrosion is 30 years under Mobilolife, provided it is main dealer serviced.
The definition of 'corrosion' is vague though.
e.g. this isn't corrosion to MB though it looks it to me
(ignore fixings or brackets - corrosion on the floorpan)