Mercedes-Benz E Class E240 Avantgarde 4dr Tip Auto

[johny342]

hello this is my first post! im thinking of a E class w211 and have chance of a 1 owner 50k in silver This car has all the standard Avantgarde features, plus many optional extras which include: 6 disc CD autochanger, COMAND APS Navigation System, Heated Front Seats, Metallic - Cubanite Silver, Nappa leather upholstery, F & R Parktronic system, Remote boot closing & Electically ajustable front seats etc. i want to use this a private hire/ luxury travel car. would this suit the job or shud i opt for a 220 cdi? can have the car for 5k ish. will it have the valeo rad or any other issues i shud look for? its a 2003 model. many thanks. jonny

 

[johny342]

mercedes c180 s203 auto

i also have chance of a c180 se classic 2007 with 20k 1 owner auto. but was thinking of the room in the rear and boot etc. just dont know which to choose??

 

[GP801]

The C would not cut it as a luxury private hire whereas the E would. I think the 240 is going to be a bit thirsty if you are planning to do a big mileage. The 240 from that era is very thirsty with little more go than a 200K. Thats why its cheap. The 200s are worth more on the second hand market. My view is its not suitable for what you propose. Sounds great as a low useage family car though.

 

[johny342]

i was thinking the c class would be a problem if i got more than two suit cases etc. cant find many E 200K about second hand at the min. the 240s are thirsty but i do like the spec! thanks for the advice.

 

[DSM10000]

The C would not cut it as a luxury private hire whereas the E would. I think the 240 is going to be a bit thirsty if you are planning to do a big mileage. The 240 from that era is very thirsty with little more go than a 200K. Thats why its cheap. The 200s are worth more on the second hand market. My view is its not suitable for what you propose. Sounds great as a low useage family car though.

I agree, the C class is far to small for use as a private hire car and the 240 petrol is not the best engine. It is rather lacking in torque and consequently it will be quite a thirsty car pulling along large body full of passengers. The 320 petrol is faster, has more torque and has comparible consumption.

For your proposed use a 220/320 diesel would be the better option.

 

[johny342]

will maybe look for a nice E220 cdi. thanks

 

[Dryce]

i was thinking the c class would be a problem if i got more than two suit cases etc. cant find many E 200K about second hand at the min. the 240s are thirsty but i do like the spec! thanks for the advice.

E240 is very refined. It's very good around town (sounds wrong because people think diesel for urban) because of this. But it isn't that economical - though with a light foot it's not that bad.

If mainly cross country then Avantgarde is comfortable and the power could be most kindly described as adequate (I call mine 'the slug').

If mainly used in urban environment then the Elegance is probably better (or the AG spec'ed with the 'comfort' suspension option).

For the age of car you're looking at there's a risk the SBC braking pump will need replacement. This was being done for free - but MB are now charging for it (though it's not clear whether this is age based or across the board as originally there were suggestions that the free replacement was up to 8 or 10 years. A 2003 car will fall outside 8 years and will soon fall outside 10).

 

[DSM10000]

For the age of car you're looking at there's a risk the SBC braking pump will need replacement. This was being done for free - but MB are now charging for it (though it's not clear whether this is age based or across the board as originally there were suggestions that the free replacement was up to 8 or 10 years. A 2003 car will fall outside 8 years and will soon fall outside 10).

Good point!

 

[HB]

E240 is very refined. It's very good around town (sounds wrong because people think diesel for urban) because of this. But it isn't that economical - though with a light foot it's not that bad.

If mainly cross country then Avantgarde is comfortable and the power could be most kindly described as adequate (I call mine 'the slug').

If mainly used in urban environment then the Elegance is probably better (or the AG spec'ed with the 'comfort' suspension option).

For the age of car you're looking at there's a risk the SBC braking pump will need replacement. This was being done for free - but MB are now charging for it (though it's not clear whether this is age based or across the board as originally there were suggestions that the free replacement was up to 8 or 10 years. A 2003 car will fall outside 8 years and will soon fall outside 10).

I spoke to Mercedes Glasgow 2 weeks ago regarding SBC and there was no mention of cost to replace at all.

 

[johny342]

i must admit the 240 is immaculate an the right colour was just scared by the mpg factor would drive the car light footed and it has nice spec too!

 

[DSM10000]

i must admit the 240 is immaculate an the right colour was just scared by the mpg factor would drive the car light footed and it has nice spec too!

Try it, take a couple of big friends with you to see what it is like loaded,it will also help to test the suspension for noise and performance, if you still like it and the deal is good then buy it, I do think £5000 is a little high though bearing in mind that it is possibly the least popular engine in the range and 9 years old going on 10. The specification is good but adds little to the value at this age. Check for rust!

I would imagine at 70mph you would get around 30-33 mpg depending on road type and traffic.

Is it a dealer or private sale?

 

[johny342]

its private he has had it for sale a few weeks now had it from new always been garaged just got a new one so may come a bit cheaper??

 

[DSM10000]

its private he has had it for sale a few weeks now had it from new always been garaged just got a new one so may come a bit cheaper??

Does it have a full service history? has the gearbox fluid been changed? If not then it will need doing so allow £180- 200 for this, if the spark plugs have not been changed then these will need doing and there are 12 of them and a little akward to get at so allow a similar amount for these along with the 2 air filters. Fuel filters from MB are not cheap, circa £70 for the part so if there is no evidence of these being done then use it to negotiate the price down.

The ATF change is important and will help preserve the gearbox as well as keeping the changes smooth, important for your proposed use!, I assume there is no evidence of it being used as a tow vehicle? Check his new one does not have a tow bar. I only ask as that engine / gearbox combination would have worked hard if used for towing.

Where are you based? it will pay to find a local MB specialist to help you look after the car if you buy it. You should be able to buy a a private warranty if it is under 10years of age and has low mileage if that is important to you.

 

[johny342]

thanks for that advice im in york i do know someone who is great with mercedes. i take it these are twin spark engines? and 8ltrs of good oil too!!

 

[DSM10000]

thanks for that advice im in york i do know someone who is great with mercedes. i take it these are twin spark engines? and 8ltrs of good oil too!!

No idea about specialists in or around York but someone will let you know I am sure!

Yes they are twin spark engines with individual coil packs per cylinder. The spark plug leads are quite tight and a little tucked away, MB have a special tool for removing them to prevent putting strain on the leads during removal but you can use a 17mm open ended crows foot spanner with care.

Regarding the oil, yes it takes 8 litres and the oil filter is at the top of the engine on the right and is a disposable element type. Two air filters, one per side of the intake trunking.

If having the transmission fluid changed try to find someone who knows how to drain the torque convertor. There is a thread on here by Black55 in which he details the process with a lot of pictures.

Good luck and welcome by the way.

 

[johny342]

thanks for the great advice

 

[Dryce]

I spoke to Mercedes Glasgow 2 weeks ago regarding SBC and there was no mention of cost to replace at all.

There have been two or three apparent posts on these forums and on the other one about SL and W211 owners being charged.

Now I asked the question on the thread in the Wheels & Tyres section here and the OP hasn't answered how old their car is (under / over 10 years).

There were suggestions some time ago that MB would do the SBC replacements up to 8 years. In US the warranty is 10 years. So if we are now getting reports of charging for cars over 10 years that would be expected (and if MB are doing goodwill to 50% level after 10 - that's better than might have been expected). If it's over 8 years then not so good but still not unreasonable. And moreover we would start to see more reports / complaints about charging for this as the population of pre facelift W211s are reaching 10 (and of course 8).

It's relevant to the OP on this thread because he was discussing a 2003 car.

 

[johny342]

2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class S320 CDi 4dr Auto Diesel Saloon 3.2

also have been thinking of a s class are these are good car for luxury travel/ personal use as they seem a bargain? 71k one owner fsh new discs and pads all round nice spec for 7k?

 

[DSM10000]

also have been thinking of a s class are these are good car for luxury travel/ personal use as they seem a bargain? 71k one owner fsh new discs and pads all round nice spec for 7k?

An excellent car for luxury travel, better leg room and overall space and better ride than an E class and a good engine combination.

 

[Adam230K]

Diesel without a doubt... 240 is going to drink too much, and the Kompressor engines aren't any better in the real world.