Merc 270CDI Elegance Auto 2005 Review

[ballig]

I am about to buy a Merc 270 CDI Elegance 2005 Auto and have come across some reviews which are n out foot very favourable. Hence I have begun to rethink my decision. Should I or should I not?

What am I looking out for if I buy and do you suggest I spend some money and get it checked by someone?

I currently drive a 2001 BMW and it drives quite well. Since I am buying it today, a quick response will be great.

 

[kusanku]

HI ballig,

welcome to the forum. Could we get a bit more detail? Is this an e-class or c-class (or possibly CLK)? Estate or saloon? Mileage? Price?

 

[This is Pete]

If you're not sure about buying the car, walk away from it. Simple as that.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Regardless of model...

Engine:

Check it's been properly maintained - complete service history - ideally from a main dealer or specialist. It would be nice to see a receipt for changing the transmission fluid at lleast once. If fluid not changed, budget £200 for changing it.

Make sure the glow plug light (orange) goes out immediately after starting the engine - if it takes closer to 30 secs then that means one or more plugs has gone. Budget £200 ish to replace them all.

Look for evidence of black oily spots around the front wheels or body sides, and similar spots or streaks down the side of the engine. Could be a gasket failure - £1 for the gasket and £250 to fit it.

When driving, listen for metallic rattle, sign of cat breaking down.

Bodywork

Look for rust - wheel arches and anywhere where the panel is 'cut' are weak spots, so door handles, seams on the inside of door edges, etc.

Suspension

Take a torch and look up under the wheel arch for a broken spring - often the bottom coil. Whilst you're under there look for any leaks or mistyness on the dampers themselves. If an ML, then springs and dampers come as one unit, and not all garages will break them.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

There may be some model specific items to check over and above the list I mentioned.

Good luck with the search.

PS Those in the know, know that the ML (163) isn't as bad as their reputation suggests, and the facelift model from 2002 is actually pretty good!!

 

[The Pan Man]

When driving, listen for metallic rattle, sign of cat breaking down.

I would describe this as a "TINNY RATTLE" From experience sadly.

 

[ballig]

Thanks for your replies. The model is e-class.
Its a quite noisier compared to BMW. Is there any measure when it - the volume of noice - could signal problem with the car?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If it sounds too loud to be right, then there's possibly a problem.

Your instinct is usually right.

 

[Wheelnut]

The IL5 is an excellent power unit, pretty bomb proof if well maintained. Noisy? YES when compared with a IL or V6 but when fully warmed up it does quieten down.

I took a fair amount of time for me to decide when looking and it has paid off. Had a FMB service history with lots of stuff having been done - a company directors car so anything needed was always done - interestingly though MB had never changed the Auto box fluid in the 90k it had done so I had my Indy do it for me.

Front and rear springs do break in fact the car had had new front springs a month before I bought it and I have just had the rears replaced.

Had the injector seats re-cut and new washers fitted as a bit of PPM to reduced the potential of 'black death' in an engine with 90k on it - OTT maybe but for £120 it is worth it IMO.

Hope the above is useful

 

[st4]

Never knew you were on here Dosco....

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Being an inline 5 cylinder, the engine will always have an offbeat thrum and inherent imbalance and vibration which comes as a function of the design.

Think of it as your own Group B Audi Quattro. But diesel powered. And not 4WD. And without an illustrious history of rallying. It's got the thrum though!!

 

[st4]

I drove Simon Speeds old C270cdi. Lovely engine and pleasant sound. Bags of power in it and very economical.

Probably the "best engine" for power/economy/reliability/refinement balance, then the face lifted 170bhp 220cdi.

The car being looked at is an elegance. These have a more comfort bias over the AG's which have firmer suspension. I found AG still quite "soft" but a test of either spec is needed to make sure the owner is getting what they want