E or S class which to get?

[PeterE320Cdi]

E or S class which would you buy with £5k to spend?

Hi Everyone,

My father in law wants to get a Mercedes, he is after a E or S class around 97 for up to £5k.

I tried to convince him to go for a 124 E class without success so the choice is between a W210 E class or the S class prior to the current one.

I know from experience that the W210 has problems so would the S class be a better option?

Thanks,

Peter.

 

[gurpz]

I doubt you can get an S Class prior to the current one (W220) for £5K or less so i would say stick to looking for a W210 E Class in the Avantgarde trim level for that price you should be able to find a few

 

[glojo]

I doubt you can get an S Class prior to the current one (W220) for £5K or less so i would say stick to looking for a W210 E Class in the Avantgarde trim level for that price you should be able to find a few

I agree about the S-class pricing, but I think the Avantgarde\Elegance issue is very much a personal choice. We find the ride of the Avantgarde far too firm, but no way would I dream of saying the suspension IS too firm. It's something a perspective purchaser should be aware of. (Avantgarde has a more firm suspension ) A cheap S-class might prove to be a very expensive purchase, but if your father-in-law can afford an older S-class in good condition, then that would be my first choice.

John

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

Thanks for the replies, I have some more info and questions.

He is planning to go and view this S class.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-Benz...64QQihZ002QQcategoryZ9855QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is that 2 models back from the current shape?

Do these rust the same as a W210?

Peter.

 

[C43AMG]

Thanks for the replies, I have some more info and questions.

He is planning to go and view this S class.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-Benz...64QQihZ002QQcategoryZ9855QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is that 2 models back from the current shape?

Do these rust the same as a W210?

Peter.

Yes that is the W140 the one before the W220. The W140 ended production in 1999 and the W220 ended 2006 which has been replaced by the W221.
Yes i would think it is worth going to have a look. You must have it checked over before you buy it. They can be very expensive to repair.
I have not heard of a rust issue with the 140.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Your father is aware that although these vehicles may be cheap to buy now, they're certainly not cheap to repair?

I'm sure somebody will be along shortly to remind you what the door pumps cost, or the coil packs.....

 

[glojo]

I believe MBManInKen had a 140 for quite a time and he speaks very highly of them, perhaps he might see this thread, or you could send him a pm?

If your father is not confident about knowing what to look out for I would definitely pay someone to check it over, but definitely, definitely check EVERY single electrical gadget. Don't be fobbed off with, "The air conditioning just needs re-gassing!" do NOT trust them, if it just needed re-gassing then why wasn't it done prior to selling (It's a great sales pitch)

Do NOT be blinded by the plus points, look very, very hard for the bad and then weigh those against the good. I'm biased because I like that model.

Good luck and please let us all know how he gets on.

Regards
John

John

 

[gurpz]

That is a really nice W140 nice exclusive colour and its got alot of features heated and memory seats for starters. Its got only 1 previous owner and FULL MB service history so looks like a fine example deffinatly one to consider make shure you or your father does check all these electrics including both sets of key fobs and a flat type if available

 

[Dieselman]

As already said the S is a lovely car but running costs can be eye watering.

At this level I'd probably go for an E because it will have less to go wrong and will cost less when it does, although it's a fair point about paintwork appears to be better on S for some unexplained reason, given that ALL production switched to waterbased paint in August 1995.
Perhaps the S was properly galvanised being an older production model.

 

[janner]

I voted W140 because I've always liked them and the W210 rust issue rules them out. The problem with the W140 is finding a good one. They were all bought by people who planned on spending time in them hence most, if not all, of the low mileage ones have been clocked.
You want a V8 W140, 'P' reg onwards with FSH (preferably with invoices or at least all the same dealer stamps) and lots of (working) toys. The one on e-bay looks nice but was it really 31.5o outside?

So, a nice W140 or back to showing him pictures of E320 W124s..

 

[C43AMG]

It looked quite sunny

 

[M6AJJ]

S Class for me, built like a tank, and as already mentioned not cheap to run or repair.

The one you are looking at looks really good on paper, just make sure all the toys work!

 

[Ian_C]

I had the same sort of choice, and I went for an E class. There are more parking spots to fit it and it just feels right.

So it has a small rust problem, thats idea as will give him something to do at weekends

Just finished doing all the stone chips on mine and I have to say the latest Halfords touch up pens/brushes are very good.

Cheers

Ian

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

Thanks for the replies. Much as he likes the S class the running costs of a S420 seem too high.

He is now looking for a diesel E class, any comments or suggestions welcome.

Peter.

 

[gurpz]

If your after economy in diesel then perhaps the E220 CDI & the E270 CDI are worth a look

 

[whitenemesis]

S class cheap to buy.... expensive to own

 

[miro]

I figure that whatever these things cost to run you can easily afford to buy the W140 first. If it doesnt suit your needs then sell it and get a cheap W210 or a W211 (which is first sold in 2002).

Given the availability and price of these cars you are not really limited to choosing one or the other. It would be an idea to come to a club meeting and speak to owners and perhaps a few people who own both.

The very last W210 with GPS, CD stacker, Phone were a tough package to beat. They can be retrofitted to the latest phone package and have most of the same functions as a 2007 car.