I test drove an S211 E280 and loved it

[Londonscottish]

I test drove an S211 E280 estate yesterday - and was mighty impressed.
It was an Avantgarde on 17's. Much to my surprise it really went like stink. I was expeting turbo lag but, no, it pulled like a train from virtually tickover. The V6 was ultra-refined - I actually liked the noise it made. not sure about the 17's - might go for 16's as a want to waft about. This is an E Class after all.

So ***; you are right - 280's are worth considering

Chattonmill; you are right - I might actually go for 16's as the 17's were surpisingly harsh on London's broken blacktop

Dieselman; you are right - modern diesels are amazing.

I've just sneaked another £1500 or so onto the budget so am up to the £16.5k mark which I reckon would get me into a nice 320 V6 Avangarde on 16's with 7 seats, Parktronic an COMAND.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Chattonmill]

So ***; you are right - 280's are worth considering

Chattonmill; you are right - I might actually go for 16's as the 17's were surpisingly harsh on London's broken blacktop

Dieselman; you are right - modern diesels are amazing.

I've just sneaked another £1500 or so onto the budget so am up to the £16.5k mark which I reckon would get me into a nice 320 V6 Avangarde on 16's with 7 seats, Parktronic an COMAND.

Fingers crossed.

It's worrying that so many people are right

That spec sounds great, make sure it has Phone pre wiring as well.

 

[Alps]

check out the parkers guide andthe options list adn go for as much of it as possible, more toys

i test drove a w211 320 diesel and i was very impressed at the torque and power delivery also! good buy

 

[renault12ts]

I test drove an S211 E280 estate yesterday - and was mighty impressed.
It was an Avantgarde on 17's. Much to my surprise it really went like stink. I was expeting turbo lag but, no, it pulled like a train from virtually tickover. The V6 was ultra-refined - I actually liked the noise it made. not sure about the 17's - might go for 16's as a want to waft about. This is an E Class after all.

So ***; you are right - 280's are worth considering

Chattonmill; you are right - I might actually go for 16's as the 17's were surpisingly harsh on London's broken blacktop

Dieselman; you are right - modern diesels are amazing.

I've just sneaked another £1500 or so onto the budget so am up to the £16.5k mark which I reckon would get me into a nice 320 V6 Avangarde on 16's with 7 seats, Parktronic an COMAND.

Fingers crossed.

Where is Dieselman these days?

 

[gazzz]

Where is Dieselman these days?

Some sort of upset it would seem from this exchange?

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/86313-euromerc-4.html#post955014

 

[renault12ts]

Missed that one completely.

 

[Mactech]

I test drove an S211 E280 estate yesterday - and was mighty impressed.
It was an Avantgarde on 17's. Much to my surprise it really went like stink. I was expeting turbo lag but, no, it pulled like a train from virtually tickover. The V6 was ultra-refined - I actually liked the noise it made. not sure about the 17's - might go for 16's as a want to waft about.

No, You are right!
Really loved my 06 E280CDI Avangarde Estate, it did everything really well.
Big enough, comfy enough, quick enough, refined en....
Good choice!

 

[jeremytaylor]

not sure about the 17's - might go for 16's

NO!

S211s look under-tyred with 16s. 17s are a minimum. I had an I6 320 A/G with 17s and my 280 V6 Sport has 18s. The 18s are fine around town. At first I thought they were too firm but you soon get used to them and it is a nicer taughter feel (IMHO).

 

[GordonTarling]

My S211 has 18" rims - yes, the ride can feel a bit harsh over the bumpy bits, but the handling makes up for that.

 

[st4]

I test drove an S211 E280 estate yesterday - and was mighty impressed.
It was an Avantgarde on 17's. Much to my surprise it really went like stink. I was expeting turbo lag but, no, it pulled like a train from virtually tickover. The V6 was ultra-refined - I actually liked the noise it made. not sure about the 17's - might go for 16's as a want to waft about. This is an E Class after all.

So ***; you are right - 280's are worth considering

Chattonmill; you are right - I might actually go for 16's as the 17's were surpisingly harsh on London's broken blacktop

Dieselman; you are right - modern diesels are amazing.

I've just sneaked another £1500 or so onto the budget so am up to the £16.5k mark which I reckon would get me into a nice 320 V6 Avangarde on 16's with 7 seats, Parktronic an COMAND.

Fingers crossed.

I have 16's and the ride on the AG suspension is very good, the tyres are cheap and the car not so bad in the ice as they are skinnier.

Either the 280cdi or 320cdi is more than ample for a car like this and the engines are terrific and make a nice 6pot growl. The budget upping sounds good and the choice of car bang on the money. Parktronic is a must, could forgo comand myself but would like tel prewiring, but thats all personal preferances, just get the nicest example your budget can get.

 

[Londonscottish]

NO!

S211s look under-tyred with 16s. 17s are a minimum. I had an I6 320 A/G with 17s and my 280 V6 Sport has 18s. The 18s are fine around town. At first I thought they were too firm but you soon get used to them and it is a nicer taughter feel (IMHO).

I agree they look under-tyred on 16's . I just want a good ride. The C43 bangs and crashs a bit in 17's and so did the E280 - I'll try one out on 16's and see.

London is awash with broken tarmac and speed bumps. The most relaxing car I've ever driven across the capital was a W124, probably on 15's. I'm looking for a bit of that.

When I come into the next chunk of cash I'll buy something fun on low profile rubber to tool about in/set a lap record round the 'ring - but for now I'm looking for a grunty but wafty family bus.

 

[jeremytaylor]

Yes, but C43s have much firmer suspension anyway than an S211 - it's not just the tyre size that makes them crash in the potholes.

But you won't go wrong with an S211 for a 'grunty but wafty family bus'!

 

[Charles Morgan]

I would try one on 16s first, as I suspect the issue is as much the sportier suspension on the Avantgarde as it the tyres. I had an E500 Elegance (admittedly on airmatic) on 18s and that was very comfortable around London, except for serious potholes or Sport setting.

 

[Londonscottish]

I would try one on 16s first, as I suspect the issue is as much the sportier suspension on the Avantgarde as it the tyres. I had an E500 Elegance (admittedly on airmatic) on 18s and that was very comfortable around London, except for serious potholes or Sport setting.

Yeah you may well be right. I must try a variation or two to make my mind up. What a great problem to have

 

[stripe]

Don't all the V6 A/G's come with 17" alloys as standard?

 

[Londonscottish]

Don't all the V6 A/G's come with 17" alloys as standard?

I don't think so - although I may be wrong. I though the Sports all can with 18's and the Avantgardes all came with 16's with a few owners upgrading to 17's.

Like I say I may be wrong - I'll have a look at Parkers.

 

[Londonscottish]

I don't think so - although I may be wrong. I though the Sports all can with 18's and the Avantgardes all came with 16's with a few owners upgrading to 17's.

Like I say I may be wrong - I'll have a look at Parkers.

Parkers implies that 16's were standard and that the 17's and 18's were upgrades.

 

[buccal]

My old W210 E280 was an elegance spec on 16's and absolutely fantastic dealing with the worst south london could throw at it.

I can see the attraction when handling will be irrelevant in the grid-lock

 

[gIzzE]

My E320 had 16s on it and there was too much tyre flex on some corners, swapped for 17s and it made such a difference and never lost any comfort.

 

[Londonscottish]

My old W210 E280 was an elegance spec on 16's and absolutely fantastic dealing with the worst south london could throw at it.

I can see the attraction when handling will be irrelevant in the grid-lock

Well this is 50% of the time......