Do I Want This E500 Estate?

[MikeInWimbledon]

Some interesting points there:

The 7G box is smoother and is seems reliable compared to the earlier box. Any jerkiness is usually a software glitch, rather than mechanical, so therefore cheaper to fix.

Can't understand the complaints about V8's being thirsty. I average 26mpg on mine. OK, it's not 220 diesel mpg, but for a leisure owner it's an insignificant part of annual running bill. Do the numbers for your annual mileage, and allow for the extra servicing costs of diesel, and you'll see there's not much difference - unless you're doing more than 15,000 a year.

The Elegance certainly sits an inch higher, but at the price of giving a far smoother ride on UK roads than the sport suspension. Horses for courses. Can't say that I've ever met anyone in the UK who gets into their car and switches it to sport mode for daily use. (Germany / Frankfurt motorway commuting is a different matter)

I don't understand the reference to Estates having airmatic on the back. Surely estates just have self-levelling suspension? The ability to dynamically control suspension is way beyond the pay grade of a normal E class estate - both for purchase and to maintain.

Great cars - as a classic car "expert" said to me at the weekend, they're cars that can be really used and enjoyed, as opposed to other vehicles which are just bought to be admired but are too impractical and clumsy to be used outside of high days and holidays.

 

[SW18]

I too enjoy my E500 as an everyday car with a bit of extra 'go'. I also get 26mpg from it and enjoy the smooth progress it permits. The 7G box seems super-smooth to me, the changes are almost imperceptible (less so when hitting the limiter in S mode!).

Because it's quite a soft set-up the car doesn't push you to indecent speeds like an AMG can, so it's not a bad car for someone trying to keep a clean licence. That said, the speed is there if you want it: 2500rpm in 7th gear equals 105mph, which is also possible to reach in 3rd gear...

 

[tjamesbo]

[QUOTEI don't understand the reference to Estates having airmatic on the back. Surely estates just have self-levelling suspension? The ability to dynamically control suspension is way beyond the pay grade of a normal E class estate - both for purchase and to maintain.][/QUOTE]
The S210 estates had hydraulic self levelling on them all as standard on the S211 this is self levelling but is Air springs with an air compressor so they are half airmatic they only self level. With full airmatic on a w211 Air struts and springs are on the front also so ride height can be varied and they have a sport setting which lowers the car . Not sure if the damping is altered as you say electro dynamic is another step up , they probably lower in order to reduce roll in corners. Many in the USA would like to remove airmatic and revert to standard, because as the cars age it becomes quite an expense to keep it as MB designed it can be approaching £1k per corner to sort along with all the computerised ride height calibration required .
Thats my understanding as a prospective purchaser of a 211 / E500 possibly with airmatic
I agree with you about running cost possibly being similar to the diesel but its the psychology of looking at the MPG figure for example in my 430 ( 4.3 V8 ) I hardly ever look at the Mpg display because i often dont like what i see but in my 320CDI its a different story its good to look at because at times the figures are amazing for such a large 3.2L motor and not forgetting in terms of torque they are near the V8 figures then theres the soundtrack and up to say 4000RPM the performance is not a world apart
Mypersonal concern is that with retirement looming my annual mileage may increase drastically perhaps from 15K to 22K + hence I'm still weighing it all up, not in a rush , just waiting for the right car . I'll know it when it comes along
Boyd

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

That red E500 Estate is listed for sale again

Wonder what went wrong with his sale?

Will he get more or less on his second listing?


MERCEDES-BENZ E500 / ONE F/LADY OWNER / MAIN DEALER S/HISTORY / E CLASS W211 | eBay

 

[paul_f]

Shill bidding last time

 

[tjamesbo]

How do you know it was shill bidding ??? Hows it identified ?