How big a mistake have I made? W211 E320 :-)

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Excognito

New Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
18
Location
South East
Car
Mercedes-Benz W211 E320 estate; Volvo V70 R AWD Phase I with LPG mod.
To replace my current daily runabout and have a alternate caravan-towing capability, I've just purchased an 02-plate W211 E320 CDi Avantgarde estate with 144,000 miles on the clock. Comes with new MOT, service and 12-month parts/labour warranty from a non-Mercedes-Benz garage.

What are the things I need to look out for or get checked out by a knowledgeable Merc mechanic? (I'm aware of the potential rust problems, but apart from the odd small patches on one rear door, the rest of the body (including wheel arches) and engine bay look reasonably clear).

Thank you in advance.
 
Hello and welcome

No doubt answers will come but might it not have been better to ask the questions prior to committing to the purchase?

Mic
 
A fine vehicle; one of the earliest 211s. Things to watch out for are rust (which you mention; front wings and bonnet are aluminium), electrical oddities (early 211s had big problems in this regard, but for yours to have got this far it must be in reasonable shape) and the SBC brakes, which is just an expensive service item. Has it ever had a replacement SBC pump, do you know?

Pop your VIN up here and we can run off your data card showing factory fitted options and spec.
 
MicB said:
Hello and welcome
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Thanks,

No doubt answers will come but might it not have been better to ask the questions prior to committing to the purchase?
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Yep! But my need was great, the time was short and the price was right - cheap enough to gamble.
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I did a basic search and was picking up generally good vibes about the 320. None of the other cars I was looking at gave me the same "feel" (apart from the Peugeot 406 and Volvo V70) and all makes have something wrong with them! Now, I've (almost) got it, I can spend a bit more time working out what I need to look for and put right.

Troon said:
A fine vehicle; one of the earliest 211s. Things to watch out for are rust (which you mention; front wings and bonnet are aluminium), electrical oddities (early 211s had big problems in this regard, but for yours to have got this far it must be in reasonable shape) and the SBC brakes, which is just an expensive service item. Has it ever had a replacement SBC pump, do you know?

Pop your VIN up here and we can run off your data card showing factory fitted options and spec.
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The mileage was actually a factor, as it should have got through the normal "running-in" issues. The car is currently going through it's MOT before I complete the purchase, so I haven't got the details yet and I can't recall the service history details.

I can also see that I need to work out the W-series history! :confused: For example, Parker's doesn't seem to mention the series, but classifies the estates as being 96-03 but saloons from 02-08. I did see W211 on the identification plate in the engine bay, so I'm relatively confident that's what she is.
 
I would give consideration to a gearbox fluid change if there is no evidence of one in the recent past, the gearbox also tends to leak from the electrical plug (called a pilot bush), this a cheap part (circa £20) and easy to fit. Also check the injectors for signs of a black tar like substance around the injector seats as leaking here is not uncommon but fairly cheap to fix.

The MOT and any new or past advisories should point you towards any suspension bushes etc that may need attention. My neighbour has a 2004 320CDi sallon approaching 190,000 miles and still going very well so hopefully your car will follow suit, good luck! :)
 
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Ooh yes, and the Valeo radiator issue at that age; although again, if you've got this far it's probably fine.
 
One thing I noted during my test drive was that I slid sideways slightly when going round a couple of corners ... not much, but it took me a little bit by surprise compared to my previous leather-seaters (my Volvo and MG both have sports seats). Doubtless, I'll get used to it, as I will the softer ride, but should I decide otherwise, what alternatives are there?
 
Can you be a little bit more specific about "sliding sideways"....

1 What speed approx
2 What kind of corner (very sharp?)(left or right hander?)
3 What was the precise feeling?
4 What state are your front tires in?

Wheel bearings, ball joints and suspension bushes wear over time and somewhere between 150k-200k miles the front suspension would likely need attention. I speak from the experience of having had the front suspension bearings, some of the bushes and ball joints done on my c class saloon at 176k miles.

But if it handles okay in car parks without "skipping" or clonking during tight low speed turning its probably okay.
 
DITTRICH said:
Can you be a little bit more specific about "sliding sideways"....

1 What speed approx
2 What kind of corner (very sharp?)(left or right hander?)
3 What was the precise feeling?
4 What state are your front tires in?

Wheel bearings, ball joints and suspension bushes wear over time and somewhere between 150k-200k miles the front suspension would likely need attention. I speak from the experience of having had the front suspension bearings, some of the bushes and ball joints done on my c class saloon at 176k miles.

But if it handles okay in car parks without "skipping" or clonking during tight low speed turning its probably okay.
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trapperjohn said:
I think he might have meant his bum slipped on the leather seats.
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:( [deep embarrassment mode]Sorry about that little bit of ambiguity there. TrapperJohn was right about my meaning.

I didn't notice any sliding of the car or we would not be having this conversation! :)
 
Hey Excognito no worries not a lot of people dont like sliping about on leather. There are however other forums where this can be discussed, I understand.
 
trapperjohn said:
Hey Excognito no worries not a lot of people dont like sliping about on leather. There are however other forums where this can be discussed, I understand.
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Yes, I have heard of such forums but I suspect they are not likely places to find advice on replacing the driver's seat in an E-class estate.
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Ford Escorts maybe ... but fortunately I don't have one of those.
 
Hi Excognito...good choice of car:) nice roomy car with a big boot....if i ever needed an estate the E Class would be my 1st choice but newer....
Ive got the E320 with the V6 engine... ive always wanted a V engine

I know on the model you have got, they have had jerking problems on acceleration. when you depress the acc pedal for the impressive power it has got, the vehicle starts to jerk back and fourth, and goes away when you release the pedal and acc gently. The cause of this is the autobox radiator and a part in the gearbox which can be fixed. But lets hope you never get thta problem.

Well done on purchasing you new car though, i know you will enjoy driving it for as long as you own it :)
 
Benz2fast4u said:
Hi Excognito...good choice of car:) nice roomy car with a big boot....if i ever needed an estate the E Class would be my 1st choice but newer....
Ive got the E320 with the V6 engine... ive always wanted a V engine

I know on the model you have got, they have had jerking problems on acceleration. when you depress the acc pedal for the impressive power it has got, the vehicle starts to jerk back and fourth, and goes away when you release the pedal and acc gently. The cause of this is the autobox radiator and a part in the gearbox which can be fixed. But lets hope you never get thta problem.

Well done on purchasing you new car though, i know you will enjoy driving it for as long as you own it :)
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Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for the acceleration problem. Fortunately, it wasn't present on my test drive.

I've been driving estates for so long now that saloons look weird ... and despite the wisdom that the passing decades are supposed to have brought, I'm still immature enough to enjoy the "Q-car" factor of a large estate that has 200 war-horses at its disposal. :devil:
 
Finally picked up my "new" Mercedes yesterday and had a bit more chance to look around her. I'm quite impressed with the solidity of the design, even on things like the spare wheel cover; it makes my Volvo V70 R look positively shoddy by comparison. The 3.2-litre diesel makes the car effortless to drive; although she's slower than my V70, it's a much smoother drive.

The only thing that's giving me pause at the moment is the quite strong smell of warm diesel ... reminds me of being on an airfield.
 
Update on newly acquired W211 E320

Took her on my first commute today (two times 34 miles, comprising 25 miles motorway and the rest suburban). Showed 37.2 mpg after the trip, speeds varying between 55 mph and 80 mph and had a couple of chances to pick up her skirts and run! However, ...

a. The engine temperature gauge didn't get much above 40 C (that's degrees centigrade not coulombs) - I didn't notice much above 60-ish C at best. This seems to be somewhat cool.

b. The left and right hand LCD panels have several segments not displaying (although the centre panel is fine). Are they relatively easy to source and replace?
 
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