E class (2007 onwards) W211 buying advice

[derektrotter]

Hi Guys

I've seen a E220 avantgarde Auto for £5600, its done 160,000 miles but seems like a decent price, plan is to use it for a couple of years and then probably upgrade to a newer car (maybe even the newer E class!).

The dilemma is, if I get something like the above is it likely going to need expensive repairs or consumables, e.g. a new clutch.. the plan was not to spend too much to avoid depreciation but now i'm thinking if its false economy. Another key thing is because I'm not planning to run it into the ground, how easy it would be to sell it with 200k or maybe even a little more on the clock, if its going to be really difficult i'd rather get a lower mileage one.

A Modern C or E (4 years old) will be about 14k with 40-60k on the clock depending on which model I go for so it is quite a big saving.

Was also looking at an XF but I keep reading threads on forums with expensive repair costs which put me off, E looks much cheaper to run and more reliable too.

Advise appreciated!

 

[John]

Hi Guys

I've seen a E220 avantgarde Auto for £5600, its done 160,000 miles but seems like a decent price, plan is to use it for a couple of years and then probably upgrade to a newer car (maybe even the newer E class!).

The dilemma is, if I get something like the above is it likely going to need expensive repairs or consumables, e.g. a new clutch.. the plan was not to spend too much to avoid depreciation but now i'm thinking if its false economy. Another key thing is because I'm not planning to run it into the ground, how easy it would be to sell it with 200k or maybe even a little more on the clock, if its going to be really difficult i'd rather get a lower mileage one.

A Modern C or E (4 years old) will be about 14k with 40-60k on the clock depending on which model I go for so it is quite a big saving.

Was also looking at an XF but I keep reading threads on forums with expensive repair costs which put me off, E looks much cheaper to run and more reliable too.

Advise appreciated!

Certainly the above example will never need a replacement clutch. Facelift means you will avoid the expensive SBC issue.

When it comes down to 160k or 200k, it's really how well it is running and looked after that determines it's value.

Arguably if it is worth £5600 now, it won't be worth a lot less if you keep it running for another 40k whilst looking after it service-wise.

Sure, everything has done that mileage but depending on what has already been replaced, how well you look after it and a bit of luck will largely govern what might break whilst you own it.

Remember though you are buying an expensive (new) prestige motor and they don't suddenly cost peanuts to run.

That said, you will be enjoying a nice motor whilst paying bugger all in depreciation - money saved which can go towards any repairs it may need.

Use a good inde to keep costs down and you will be doing it almost the most frugal way possible (short of doing work yourself).

I like the idea of the XF but one at work has had silly issues but on the whole it seems like a nice car. 2.7D is a bit thirsty in that one it seems.

Each to their own but I am not convinced I like the XF enough to ever buy one - I prefer a current shape XJ in black if I were considering a Jag.

Good luck with whatever you decide though!

 

[derektrotter]

Certainly the above example will never need a replacement clutch. Facelift means you will avoid the expensive SBC issue.

When it comes down to 160k or 200k, it's really how well it is running and looked after that determines it's value.

Arguably if it is worth £5600 now, it won't be worth a lot less if you keep it running for another 40k whilst looking after it service-wise.

Sure, everything has done that mileage but depending on what has already been replaced, how well you look after it and a bit of luck will largely govern what might break whilst you own it.

Remember though you are buying an expensive (new) prestige motor and they don't suddenly cost peanuts to run.

That said, you will be enjoying a nice motor whilst paying bugger all in depreciation - money saved which can go towards any repairs it may need.

Use a good inde to keep costs down and you will be doing it almost the most frugal way possible (short of doing work yourself).

I like the idea of the XF but one at work has had silly issues but on the whole it seems like a nice car. 2.7D is a bit thirsty in that one it seems.

Each to their own but I am not convinced I like the XF enough to ever buy one - I prefer a current shape XJ in black if I were considering a Jag.

Good luck with whatever you decide though!

Many thanks for the reply that sounds reassuring, so you reckon I will be able to sell it with 200k or bit more on the clock? My main concern was it'll be very hard to sell (e.g only get 3k or something) so I'll still be stuck with deprecation costs and be better buying a newer one to start with.

Sounds like your saying it should be ok which is good news!

PS love the XF but interior quality doesn't feel as solid as even the C250 which I drove which is unfortunate, add to that the reliability/expensive repairs concerns I cannot consider it, they are bargains though used.

 

[John]

Many thanks for the reply that sounds reassuring, so you reckon I will be able to sell it with 200k or bit more on the clock? My main concern was it'll be very hard to sell (e.g only get 3k or something) so I'll still be stuck with deprecation costs and be better buying a newer one to start with.

Sounds like your saying it should be ok which is good news!

PS love the XF but interior quality doesn't feel as solid as even the C250 which I drove which is unfortunate, add to that the reliability/expensive repairs concerns I cannot consider it, they are bargains though used.

You will almost certainly be able to sell it, assuming it has no issues and still runs well. I've seen 600,000 mile ex-taxis on here still running well and being sold at good money.

What price you get for it is another matter. This will depend on the market then and who is looking for a car like that.

If you buy a newer one, it will be further back up the depreciation curve which is not linear and you might suffer more depreciation, even though it might sell more easily (no guarantees of anything of course).

At the end of the day, this one or a newer one, barter hard on the price to try and mitigate the losses. Look at what other similar cars are up for similar spec, age and mileage and determine the value of the one you are looking at.

I know from experience per a 124,000 mile K reg 325 BMW which didn't drop a huge amount in value at 140,000 a year later.

You can never escape depreciation but if you buy too cheaply, you can get hit with constant repair bills if you are unlucky (been there done that - annoying due to cost and unreliability).