E320cdi Woes

[LTD]

Would you consider an estate ?

EDIT : Just noticed you would.

Have a look at the C class estates - they are very nice cars. The 220 engine gets you back into your comfort zone of reliability and you have had one round Europe without any grief.

 

[st4]

I guess once sorted that's up for sale?

You really have not had much luck, maybe you should have named your car something other than the shed...


Seems its having the last laugh.

I nearly launched it onto pistonheads, but I would not feel right selling a car that is in this condition. Not to a person off the street who may not have the means (a workshop and a selling profit to eat into to fix it).

I found a suitable car for sale in MB Giffnock, 5g, no leather seats (not a fan) but they didn't seem willing to budge on price or PX value. 3 weeks later it was still for sale. I called and the guy said, oops, sold it.

Depending on what is wrong with it will be the deciding factor, but financially, I'd really rather be buying a car with a bit more cash in my new car pot than I have. I suspect the fix will be worse case, new turbo, but probably not, a mere refixing of the components ought to work. I do suspect its not the cars doing this one. Suspect.

 

[davidjpowell]

This is surely down to the old con trick of percentages. 45% depreciation on a £35k car hits you much harder in the pocket than a 75% drop in a £15k car

I'm going to ignore my 210 because I can't remember the figures.

MB1. C320 CDi. Bought for circa £21k. Sold for circa £11k 1 yr 3 mnths and 30K later.

BMW 730D. Bought for Circa £21K. Sold 1 year 30K later for £19,500

MB2 E320 CDi Bought for £6,750. Sold 6-9 months later for £6,750 after spending a bucket load on it.

MB3 C320 Cdi Bought for £8,500 Sold 12 months later for £6,500. 7K miles.

I'm also going to chuck in another car, Espace. Bought for £18k, ex demo. Sold after 3 years and 60k for £8,750. 48% residual

 

[davidjpowell]

I don't want an E60, been in two, they aren't as nimble as the 211's IMHO

I'm surprised you say that. I find ours (I think it's E61 as post facelift, but might be wrong) very nimble, and noticed an immediate improvment on feel from the Merc, which had sports pack etc.

320D always look good. My brother has one, although it looked daft on standard seats. Still he is getting 50+ MPG. He did have an issue with the cluctch which was going to be expensive, but BMW are sorting it with a minimal contribution as it's 3 months out of warrenty.

Bad luck on the MB, but you know my thoughts already!

 

[A210AMG]

*** what sort of budget are we looking at?

Do you need 4 seats / 4 doors? (ie, any convertible or coupe out?)

I was thinking CLK220Cdi? would that be ok?

 

[st4]

Would you consider an estate ?

EDIT : Just noticed you would.

Have a look at the C class estates - they are very nice cars. The 220 engine gets you back into your comfort zone of reliability and you have had one round Europe without any grief.

Indeed Steven. With the camping holidays the estate would be the better car, and I would probably rather have a wagon over a saloon, but cost forms a factor.

I'd love a pre BE C220cdi 5g wagon. Spacious, comfortable, in my comfort zone, nice to drive and cheap to run. I'd certainly get 50mpg out of it, which is something very positive as I resent how much I spend on fuel as it is.

It was the shed that went around Europe, but it broke down before going. MB Glasgow managed to replace the port motor before going.

The 220cdi took me everywhere else in comfort, pleasure and safety but the V6 moves the game on in power (which I seldom use) and refinement at low speed and better economy for the power.

 

[st4]

*** what sort of budget are we looking at?

Do you need 4 seats / 4 doors? (ie, any convertible or coupe out?)

I was thinking CLK220Cdi? would that be ok?

I wouldn't want to spend more than £15k and I do need 4 doors and seats. I may be single, but I do have friends who do travel with me in the car, a C class would be ample. I also go on camping holidays so a reasonably large car is needed. A CLK220cdi would be hopeless for me sadly as would a C hatch/coupe as the lack of bootspace of cameras, BBQ's, food, camping gear etc.

I was also in a nasty car crash when my mate flipped his car over. I wouldn't feel safe in a convertible (I'd have been killed if I was). A sunroof would be nice and an auto is a must given the problems I have with my back since the car accident.

 

[Harrythedog]

I'm going to ignore my 210 because I can't remember the figures.

MB1. C320 CDi. Bought for circa £21k. Sold for circa £11k 1 yr 3 mnths and 30K later.

BMW 730D. Bought for Circa £21K. Sold 1 year 30K later for £19,500

MB2 E320 CDi Bought for £6,750. Sold 6-9 months later for £6,750 after spending a bucket load on it.

MB3 C320 Cdi Bought for £8,500 Sold 12 months later for £6,500. 7K miles.

I'm also going to chuck in another car, Espace. Bought for £18k, ex demo. Sold after 3 years and 60k for £8,750. 48% residual

I was referring to the depreciation on new cars

 

[LTD]

il6 engine ???

 

[st4]

il6 engine ???

Possibly, although for another outlay of cash, I'd really want something a bit newer than the shed, not older unless I was spending naff all replacing the car.

A facelifted E does without the SBC etc and although the I6 is a nice enough engine, it comes with the earlier 211s, the facelifted 220cdi isn't a million miles off in power or performance and will be more economical and is every bit as proven.

 

[A210AMG]

^ That's what I have

My dads car bought new in 2003 collected from factory. The best car my dad owned and he kept it the longest. I've now had it 14 months and currently on 132K miles.

Touch wood....but its been great, two snapped springs all I can think of over and above tyres and the likes...

45mpg on a run and pretty nippy with the D6 box


I think *** has had enough of the 6 cylinder mercs though. Buying a IL6 is possibly a backward move?



I like the look of the C class sports such as this? any good
2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C220 CDI Sport

or much lower miles but SE
2008 Mercedes Benz C Class C220 CDI SE 5dr Auto 2.2


They should do 50mpg?

 

[st4]

^ That's what I have

My dads car bought new in 2003 collected from factory. The best car my dad owned and he kept it the longest. I've now had it 14 months and currently on 132K miles.

Touch wood....but its been great, two snapped springs all I can think of over and above tyres and the likes...

45mpg on a run and pretty nippy with the D6 box


I think *** has had enough of the 6 cylinder mercs though. Buying a IL6 is possibly a backward move?



I like the look of the C class sports such as this? any good
2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C220 CDI Sport

or much lower miles but SE
2008 Mercedes Benz C Class C220 CDI SE 5dr Auto 2.2


They should do 50mpg?

Really nice cars, I'll see what the bill is for the shed, if its low, I'll make enquiries re that sport estate. Miles higher than I would have wanted but if they are willing to do a deal, who cares.

 

[LTD]

That silver estate is nice !

 

[wemorgan]

You're a loyal man to stick with MB. But I can see a W204 C220CDI estate being a nice option.

 

[Niks]

Steve, sorry to hear about your woes on the 211! Id just cut my losses and get shot of it to be honest with you, its just a one off duff car thats come into your hands.

Those W204 estates are really nice looking cars, a friend of mine has a black C320 CDI estate which we went on a trip to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in. 2 mountain bikes on a carrier on the rear and a Thule roof box ski carrier. Let me tell you that this car was proper loaded with all our stuff in the boot, and it still shifted! Not the most fuel efficient car out there but it did surprisingly well considering how much gear it was carrying, especially up the mountains. I really wish I had taken a pic of it, it just looked the nuts!

I must admit inside it doesn't quite feel as "homely" as the E-class interior, but it serves its purpose. Definitely worth considering a 220CDI?

 

[developer]

If you are looking to change Steve, just remember - if you can't hoon it you'll soon hate it.

I suspect anything less than a 320 will leave you wanting.

 

[LTD]

What about an A4 quattro estate ???

 

[SilverSaloon]

Steve, arnt you worrying about the failed MOT for nothing? as far as i can see apart from the steering which sounds like just some sort of bush, the other fails and advisaries are down to tyres and a damaged alloy which you'll have picked up in the time you've had it.... not necessarily a reason for it to be a bad car because of that. for an advisary on the exhaust its probably a very minor leak of gases, nothing to worry about....

but it sounds like once fixed it would be worth moving on. sell it yourself (ebay) to get the best price rather than p/x.

the C classes are nice but may feel a little "low rent" compared to your W211?

cheers

Derek

 

[st4]

Steve, arnt you worrying about the failed MOT for nothing? as far as i can see apart from the steering which sounds like just some sort of bush, the other fails and advisaries are down to tyres and a damaged alloy which you'll have picked up in the time you've had it.... not necessarily a reason for it to be a bad car because of that. for an advisary on the exhaust its probably a very minor leak of gases, nothing to worry about....

but it sounds like once fixed it would be worth moving on. sell it yourself (ebay) to get the best price rather than p/x.

the C classes are nice but may feel a little "low rent" compared to your W211?

cheers

Derek

Hi Derek. Guess you're right but it's been not a very reliable car. Yet again it needs attention and repairs. Excessive smoke and EML lights aren't good.

Steven aye would also consider an A4 as well as a BMW e90 and 204. I really like the 204, driven one and been a passenger in a few. Not quite as luxurious as the 211 but still nicely functional with good seats and decently packaged. An S204 would make a lot of sense. Stuff like BBQs tents and camping chairs need swallowed up and the lower running costs would be welcome. It's still quite a rapid car and comes with the beloved 5g box.

 

[jaymanek]

I think you may be being hasty here.. I doubt your issue is anything major... You have just been a little unlucky and so you are fed up.
EML can mean anything... like you say the garage have probably not put something back quite right.. my guess would be a hose or sensor somewhere.

I know you hate the 7G box as you slate it any time someone mentions it, but honestly, its the crown jewels compared to some of the other junk out there. We hear of all the problems because its an internet forum where people come to vent.. They are generally very very good.

I wouldnt be happy going from your car to a four cylinder W204, and certainly not a BMW.