E280d 55 plate good choice ?

[searay200]

Hi,
Thinking of purchasing a used e class and have found the above being sold by a private seller, is this a good choice?
What are the common faults or issues with this model?
Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[st4]

Bad choice. Early V6 diesel. Common faults are the inlet port shut off motor failing, earlier cars go through engine bearings, 7g valve bodies can fail and it's not unheard of to see a turbo go.

 

[Derek Mc]

You might be better to look at a slightly older E270Cdi it still has one or two issues but in general much more reliable.

 

[searay200]

Thanks for the replies, will these kind of faults be picked up on a service/inspection?
The above is what I was finding by my own searches hence the reason for joining the forum to get the additional advice.

 

[crockers]

No they won't. The inlet port problem is either there or not. Mine went through 3. Yes three. At £600 a pop ouch. The bearing only costs £7 to fix. Oh and the labour the best part of £3000. That can be detected. There is a clicking noise that stops when the poly v belt is removed. Yes I had that one go too. I wouldn't touch an early V6 with a bargepole. Later ones seem fine.

I had no problems with the 7g gearbox......pheww

 

[redbaron]

Get a 56 or newer - the facelift cars are much more electrically reliable.

 

[bpsorrel]

My V6 diesel faults weren't picked up until a couple of months after I bought the car. Bearing issue was spotted by Ollie when I took the car in for what I'd hoped was a simple "health check". Result - £3K repair! Luckily caught during the warranty period and the supplying dealer paid..

Next job was the EGR valve and tensioners, happened about 5 months after buying - £1500 - but again paid by dealer.

Not a great start and has left me feeling down about the car ever since. Hence I'm selling.

Be cautious and avoid if poss.

Edit: And, be wary of the SBC braking. Take a look on other posts about this. Go for 56 at least and you avoid it.

 

[b1g1an]

My V6 diesel faults weren't picked up until a couple of months after I bought the car. Bearing issue was spotted by Ollie when I took the car in for what I'd hoped was a simple "health check". Result - £3K repair! Luckily caught during the warranty period and the supplying dealer paid..

Next job was the EGR valve and tensioners, happened about 5 months after buying - £1500 - but again paid by dealer.

Not a great start and has left me feeling down about the car ever since. Hence I'm selling.

Be cautious and avoid if poss.

Edit: And, be wary of the SBC braking. Take a look on other posts about this. Go for 56 at least and you avoid it.

If it's all OK now why would you dump it and start the process all over again?

 

[bpsorrel]

Two reasons. One I don't need a potential moneypit right now (turbo, SBC Inlet port issues, 7G issues...) and two, I've lost the "love" for it and just view it as a ticking time bomb. Silly maybe, but when the feel is gone, it's gone.

 

[st4]

Get a facelifted E220cdi AG...as fast as the 270cdi. More reliable as no SBC

 

[bpsorrel]

Agreed! My E220CDI was the best MB I've had and was totally reliable. Quick enough too..

 

[searay200]

Will steer clear of this purchase then.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[bpsorrel]

Of course you CAN get lucky, but for me, the gamble isn't worth it. Good luck with your search!

 

[mercgames]

I run an early V6 cdi (320 sport), bought 14months ago with 36k on the clock, currently showing just over 50k.

Touch-wood all ok so far, but still low mileage.

My opinion, first check the turbo seal is not leaking. They have a small lip on the inside which must be fitted properly, ie fully pushed on on over the turbo, also i put a smear (thin) of sealant round the end of the seal, the area with the part numbers on that fits into the plastic housing. I discovered mine was leaking after a service, it was very poorly fitted, and i believe i was luck to catch it in time.

The majority of mileage i have covered is distance, last summer 3k around Europe, and southern Spain at the moment for winter. These engines are superb at eating the miles quickly and without effort, i can top 700 mile range, and have seen 150mph plus....but it would not be my choice for commuting or running for the weekly shop (short runs)....they seem to like a good run/thrash.


I think *** had a poorly fitted part (if my memory is correct) which caused a lot of headache and was not found till later, after a lot of grief. Hopefully his new steed will be better.

best o luck.

 

[st4]

I run an early V6 cdi (320 sport), bought 14months ago with 36k on the clock, currently showing just over 50k.

Touch-wood all ok so far, but still low mileage.

My opinion, first check the turbo seal is not leaking. They have a small lip on the inside which must be fitted properly, ie fully pushed on on over the turbo, also i put a smear (thin) of sealant round the end of the seal, the area with the part numbers on that fits into the plastic housing. I discovered mine was leaking after a service, it was very poorly fitted, and i believe i was luck to catch it in time.

The majority of mileage i have covered is distance, last summer 3k around Europe, and southern Spain at the moment for winter. These engines are superb at eating the miles quickly and without effort, i can top 700 mile range, and have seen 150mph plus....but it would not be my choice for commuting or running for the weekly shop (short runs)....they seem to like a good run/thrash.

I think *** had a poorly fitted part (if my memory is correct) which caused a lot of headache and was not found till later, after a lot of grief. Hopefully his new steed will be better.

best o luck.

I did but the manifolds clogged up, bearings went on other members early V6s. A newer facelifted E220 is the one 211 to get.

 

[bpsorrel]

...or an E500...

 

[mbenz1]

We have a facelift 2006 (06) E280 V6 CDI (190BHP engine), does that mean it will have the problematic SBC unit installed?

 

[st4]

We have a facelift 2006 (06) E280 V6 CDI (190BHP engine), does that mean it will have the problematic SBC unit installed?

No. Post facelift, no SBC

 

[mbenz1]

Thank god for that

 

[mbenz1]

Get a 56 or newer - the facelift cars are much more electrically reliable.

The facelift model started in 06.