E350 Estate - Is This The One For Me?

[Druk]

Very nice. De-badge option?

 

[E55BOF]

Three years younger; half the age of the other. It's an ex-PCP/Contract Hire car which he bought from MB Direct, so serviced as it should be, but too many miles to be an Approved Used.

Better spec than the other one; reversing camera, DAB radio, Collision Warning System with Active Brake Intervention, and Active Park Assist (whatever that is - I haven't got to it in the handbook yet...) in particular appeal. It also has Start/Stop, but I'm not bothered about that.

The interior isn't quite as classy as the W211, though, and the dash display is a little flashy, but I suppose that's progress. Good decision overall, I think, but I do wish it didn't have the AdBlue tank preventing me getting a spacesaver spare wheel.

He didn't want the E320 for more than scrap value (£500), so I part-exchanged the Peugeot. One or the other had to go; I simply don't have room for four cars.

He also explained how the seller of the 2011 could offer such a good part-exchange price; the 2011 is about £1500 over-priced. He guessed the asking price to within £5, so I'm inclined to believe him; effectively, the other seller was also offering £500 in the real world.

Nice guy, good to deal with. His warranties are very good value, so I bought a three-year comprehensive warranty for £695 as well.

The engine is pretty refined, but there's still a little diesel rattle audible at low revs and low road speed when you press the loud pedal. It goes very well, though; a really decent slug of low and mid-range torque.

I have to say, the Peugeot 508 is nimbler, feels lighter to drive, steers well, and is just as comfortable as, and slightly quieter than, either this or the E350 petrol in the cruise at about 80-85, but that may be down to the tyres; the W212 is on Bridgestones, the Peugeot on Michelins.

If the Peugeot had had 250 bhp and a decent automatic gearbox, I'd still have it...

De-badge? I don't think so at the moment, but never say never. Perhaps replace the '3' with a '2'; that would be more my style.

 

[Londonscottish]

Three years younger; half the age of the other. It's an ex-PCP/Contract Hire car which he bought from MB Direct, so serviced as it should be, but too many miles to be an Approved Used.

A good buy then.

Better spec than the other one; reversing camera

Very handy - I use mine every single time.

DAB radio

I#d love DAB and it's one of the only things missing off mine (apart from a sub). One of things that's costs a fair whack to retro-fit and so I never do.

It also has Start/Stop, but I'm not bothered about that.

That can save a lot of fuel. Mins chews through loads idling in London traffic at the end of a long (and economical) run.

The interior isn't quite as classy as the W211, though, and the dash display is a little flashy, but I suppose that's progress. Good decision overall,

I guess it's a matter of taste - I like both but prefer the 212.

But sounds like a great buy that will serve you well, keep you out of trouble with the eco-police and will be easy to sell on when the time comes.

 

[tanuie]

Looks a nice car, good luck with it.

 

[nickgar]

Just another point, this dealer bought my CLK200 from me outright and gave me a good price (far better than MB offered as a p/x), before I bought my E350 cabriolet about 20 months ago.

They bought it unseen, transferred the money to me immediately and sent a driver down on the train from Kent to Torquay some two weeks later to pick it up.

All very professional and hassle free. A lot of trust involved, as I had both money and car for a while! Recommended

Good luck with everything.

 

[fabes]

Can you just confirm which dealer did that deal as two are in the thread.....

Cheers

 

[fabes]

Also, interested to see it's an exchange and mart advert

I would never think of looking there, but will now (assuming it wasn't also on the default AT site as well?)

Nice car and Euro 6 with S/S has to be a better bet

 

[nickgar]

Northover Cars, Kent

 

[HB]

Fantastic Dennis, you'll love it. It's very refined and quiet too !!!

 

[E55BOF]

It's not like an E55K... There's plenty of power and torque for all normal circumstances, but it's quite a linear power delivery, unlike the TDI-tuned I6 E320 with the old five-speed box, which is more like a two-stroke motorcycle - rush of torque, here comes the gearchange...wait for it wait for it... Waheeeeeey! off we go again... It's rather fun, actually.

The E350 has plenty of power to 'make progress', but it's a grown-up's car; it rather encourages you to drive it sensibly. The E55K isn't, and doesn't; the power delivery positively encourages you to go demented apesh!t at every opportunity.

If TDI Tuning's claims for their box on the E350 are accurate (329 bhp, 719 nm torque), it should turn it into rather more of a hooligan tool than it is now. I have a feeling I may be taking that route before long...

 

[Druk]

Mine is the standard 265bhp factory car. I can't imagine a circumstance where you would need more power or torque than that. Frightens the life out of me as it is.

 

[E55BOF]

When you've had an E55K...

 

[Londonscottish]

Mine is the standard 265bhp factory car. I can't imagine a circumstance where you would need more power or torque than that.

On my recent trip to France I can assure you that I regularly used all 388 bhp and 390 lb/ft provided by the V8 in mine.

It's addictive.

The 55k no doubt even more so

 

[Druk]

When you've had an E55K...

I know, I know. But there's the old adage...you can only P with the C you've got. And then there's all that torque............

 

[gIzzE]

I#d love DAB and it's one of the only things missing off mine (apart from a sub). One of things that's costs a fair whack to retro-fit and so I never do..

Can be done for around £300 and is plug and play, no coding needed.

Have a look at my thread in the electronics section.

 

[Londonscottish]

Can be done for around £300 and is plug and play, no coding needed.

Have a look at my thread in the electronics section.

Hi Gizze do you have a link? I can't find the post.

 

[gIzzE]

Here you go....

Fitted DAB to my S212 last week......