Life choices!

[mway_cruiser]

Hello there,
I've been searching through this forum and I hope you guys can help me out.

I currently own a 2001 1.8 Astra Coupe and cover around 20,000 miles a year, all motorway.

I'll not bore you with my coupe's spec as you're probably not interested anyway.

I want a big lazy motorway cruiser and I am totally undecided between an E-Class and a 5 Series. It's gotta be automatic and it's gotta be diesel.

I bought my current car new two years ago and took a big hit on the resale value, I'm probably a grand the wrong way and as such my budget will be about £13k. I also don't want to buy new again so I was wondering what the first batch of this decade (2000-2001) where like and what is a reasonable mileage for them.

I'll be honest and say that the 5 has got the edge on looks but I want to be comfy and I think that the merc has the toys and the class. Who wants to be another BMW driver anyway?

I was hoping that you could give me your views on the pitfalls and benefits of MB ownership.

Cheers Guys.

P.S. Sister in law is getting a CLK convertible as a company car next month, can't wait.

P.P.S. What do all the W numbers denote? What is the W number for the E Class?

Cheers again.

 

[Gizmo750]

Hi and welcome,

I'm sure that another more knowledgable person will be along in a minute with E Class details - sorry but I have a CLK so not qualified to comment here.

I can help with the W numbers though, they are factory model designations and for the E Class are as follows:

W124 E Class from 1984 to 1995

W210 E Class from 1995 to 2002

W211 E Class from 2003 onwards

For what its worth my Father has an E260 1989 F reg and it still drivies as well as it ever did and munches motorway miles with ease and in comfort.

As far as general MB ownership views go I have been well impressed with my CLK for the past two years and have not had any trouble with it at all. Servicing is more costly than your Vauxhall but then I guess you were expecting that. Always was a Vauxhall fan myself but since being in the financial position to buy an MB I have never regretted it and although my CLK is getting close to 5 years old it still looks and drives like new and gets all the right comments and looks.

Best of luck

Guy

 

[Brian WH]

If you want an economical,fast and comfortable long haul Diesel. Then look no more than the E320CDI Avantgarde or Elegance 1999 V registration. @ £13485. 50000 miles from Parker.

Parker

Make sure that it is the uprated, facelift model with side repeaters in the wing mirrors, and you won't go wrong, as extra £2000 worth of free mods to car from previous model. Check full service history and look for any rust on paintwork.

 

[NormanB]

2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS E320 CDi Elegance [Tiptronic] 3.2 Litre Diesel engine, 5 door, Automatic, Estate, Silver (metallic Silver), 118000 miles, ABS, AirCon / Climate, Alarm / Immobiliser, Alloys, CD Player, Central Locking, Cruise Control, Driver and Passenger Airbags, Electric Windows and Mirrors, Leather Trim, PAS, Full Service History. Web: www.richard-skiba.co.uk. E-mail: [email protected] £13995

 

[mark.t]

w210/211

make sure it has leather and all the toys also check my thread on rust search 3 and 6 check the tops of doors and the boot area if you find rust before you buy it you stand a better chance of getting it done and check out the cdi engine threads as well,,,good luck

 

[mway_cruiser]

Thanks guys.

Now I know that there are 3 trim levels, Classic (bobby basic) Elegence (is this the top one?) Avantgarde (or is this it?) But is there much difference between them?

Also, apart from interior changes, are there any exterior differences such as bumpers, front grille etc to look out for?

The wheels on some of the cars I've been looking at are not so hot, are replacements readily available?

Thanks again guys.

 

[mark.t]

trim

elegance has wood trim and a softer ride not so sporty look. avantgarde carbon look with sporty trim and a firmer ride and proberly a few other differances others on here will give more details