E320 cdi - in 2 minds

[MIB]

Hi all,
I've spent the last few days trawling the forum - it's a great source for people new to MB.
Anyway, I'm very interested in an E320 cdi avantgarde, V6 version, auto,Nov 05 reg. It comes with a 12m 'approved used' warranty & seems to be a good price (<20K!).
It's for mainly motorway work, c16-18k pa - I want a good cruiser. The E seems to fit the bill. I've never had a MB before - this car would be one I would keep for 5 years +.
I'm in 2 minds mainly because of the quality issues I've read about on here, & servicing costs. I've read all the Service Plus threads as well - 1000-1500 pounds pa seems a lot to pay for peace of mind with a supposedly quality/bullet proof brand. I also realise I need to be careful as people with negative experiences tend to be more vocal than those with +ve experiences.
I've only had one major mechanical issue in 25+ years of motoring so the stories of electrical and gearbox problems worry me a bit.
So, should I be worried or should I go ahead and enjoy the car??
By the way, I understand that the car needs a major service after 3 years - what's the likely cost?

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[Mactech]

I liked the V6 in the E class so much that I bought another in the S Class.
If you are using the car on the motorway then the E Class is a very good choice. It is an effortless cruiser, not only because it is peaceful and quiet, but it requires minimum streering input to stay on course even in side winds, truck ruts and wet weather. Stick close to the legal limit and it will return 40+ mpg on the motorway.
Quality issues with earlier 211's were mostly gone by the time the great V6 diesel was installed and I would have no worries. I had a 05 211 and it was simply faultless.

 

[Rory]

If you're going to keep the car for 5+ years then rather than buy ServicePlus you would probably be better finding a good independant and having them do the servicing.

It's always a bit of gamble of course - but if you save the annual cost of ServicePlus then you would have to be unluckly to be hit with a bill that would leave you worse off. Also ServicePlus can only run until the car is 6yrs old and by then your car is still only going to have done around 60K miles.

 

[jdrrco]

Buy mine!!!

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=48487

Still with Service-plus until July. Just sailed through MOT.

The difference in price would pay lots of servicing bills!

 

[ibrar]

jdrrco are u located in swansea?

 

[st4]

I bought a w211 E220cdi 05 plate and its great. Don't know if the extra power is even needed

I was told by the Merc dealer that 02-03 cars are best avoided but 05 cars onwards are fine. I saw a what car guide and the E class was given 4/5 starts for reliabiluty, which was "good" on their scale.

Faults with cars seem conspicuous by their absence on this forum IMO, the BMW ones I were on were full of 'em (before I saw the light)

 

[jdrrco]

jdrrco are u located in swansea?

cardiff

 

[ibrar]

cardiff

It just looked like you had taken your pics in Swansea marina. Great car

 

[jdrrco]

I bought a w211 E220cdi 05 plate and its great. Don't know if the extra power is even needed

I was told by the Merc dealer that 02-03 cars are best avoided but 05 cars onwards are fine. I saw a what car guide and the E class was given 4/5 starts for reliabiluty, which was "good" on their scale.

Faults with cars seem conspicuous by their absence on this forum IMO, the BMW ones I were on were full of 'em (before I saw the light)

The first models (52 & 03 plates) certainly had issues, but these were mainly sorted by the time 53 plate came along. Mine is Sep '03 on a 53 and runs like a dream. Got more and more economical after 70,000 miles too!

 

[jdrrco]

It just looked like you had taken your pics in Swansea marina. Great car

Ah! Penarth Marina, actually!

 

[crockers]

All cars can have problems - even the legendary Hondas do - my wife's needed a new alternator after 68,000 miles

I have that engine V6 diesel in the C class and its so smooth I still get a grin driving it after 48.000 miles..you will love it.

 

[Brian WH]

I have owned the earlier E Classses and a W211 320 DCI before moving to CLS's. Not all E classes suffer with the problems you read on the net. Mine I had for three + years with no major problems that were not covered by Warranty, and I did not have rust on any of them.

The 05 E320CDI is a very good car and I used mine for long holidays and it ate the miles with grace and comfort, as well as economy. Go for it.

 

[seymansey]

It just looked like you had taken your pics in Swansea marina. Great car

I thoguht it was home (Swansea) myself, too

 

[ibrar]

I thoguht it was home (Swansea) myself, too

Superb. Another jack. Where abouts are u?