Mercedes w211 320cdi - likely faults

[Charles Morgan]

Not for me, but my brother in law is running a 2007 W211 E320cdi with about 80k on it. He services it assiduously, numerous transmission oil changes and it has had one glowplug and one injector changed. Discussing it yesterday he is aware that it is not worth a huge amount anymore (around £7k) and he is toying with keeping it until retirement in about 6 years time. He asked me if there were any obvious expensive problems likely to surface. Given I only run ancient cars I lack any experience with this model. It's normal suspension not air.

Guidance gratefully received.

 

[developer]

At 07 it's a facelift, where numerous changes were made (MB quote 2000, largely electrical).

The SBC system will be long gone and there's no ABC suspension.

There are examples (including some on here) that are at several hundred 000's of miles.

I expect it will be cheaper to keep it than buy something else of that quality.

Good cars ,

 

[Mactech]

Experience suggests that these are 1/4 million mile cars with the correct servicing. For someone who is quality and not fashion driven, then keeping the car for another few years is the way forward.
It probably will not be without the odd niggle (expect at least another glow plug!) but you would be unfortunate to have any major outlays.
I recently ran an '07 S203 to 125k miles and it cost peanuts.
If I wasn't hard-wired to crave the latest technology, I'd still have any one of my W211's !

 

[davidjpowell]

7g Gearbox and plate.
Famous Port Inlet shutoff motor.
Turbo and Vanes....

I think I've seen all of these from my 320 cdi's. Hence why I no longer play Mercedes...

Everything apart from the gearbox (which was at low miles) has been just over 100k.

 

[bolide]

I expect it will be cheaper to keep it than buy something else of that quality

I think that just about sums it up

The only downside is that the car will be (even more) worthless in six years time. Still, he can cheer himself up by doing that most pointless of British habits - buying a new car on retirement

Nick Froome

 

[grober]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is his annual mileage--- e.g. how much of that 80k has he done ? If his annual mileage is low then buying something newer is going to shed value due to ageing rather than mileage? What is looming on the horizon is what is going to happen to diesels vis a vis urban access and possible vehicle licencing. This varies from nothing much to draconian restrictions which would reflect on diesel resale values. Impossible to predict so perhaps the thing to do is to ask- is the car running well- does it fufill his current motoring needs- if it does then stick with the known. If he really wanted to change he wouldn't be asking the question surely ?

 

[Charles Morgan]

His mileage is pretty low. I think he was quite surprised by how low the value was but he isn't absurdly stuck on car forums like me. Genuinely I don't think he's decided, he's very analytical before making decisions, except on his Westfield.

 

[mbenz1]

To add also...

Beware of crankshaft bearing issue with this engine, which occurs immediately after an oil change.

Symptom: metallic ticking noise best heard from front left wheel area.

Reason: I understand it's due to not filling the oil filter housing with oil before putting in the filter. Due to this absence of oil in the housing, there is a delay in the oil circulation or something along those lines which results to the metallic ticking noise from the bearing. Not sure exactly what the ticking noise means but it's a really expensive labour job if the bearing was to break.

We had this issue on a V6 CDI my dad had a couple of years ago. I believe there is a MB Bulletin on this issue also.

But all in all, it's a really fine engine and also reliable.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using MBClub UK

 

[Charles Morgan]

Thanks all, I'll pass that on.

 

[David404]

Yes your pal should expect some maintenance shocks on a 2007 plate car even though the miles aren't high. But there is limited scope for depreciation so in total cost of ownership terms its likely to be way more efficient to keep the current car than buy new.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I can only speak of my own experience.

I bought mine at 30k miles just over 3 years ago, I have doubled the mileage with the majority being in year one of my ownership.

I might regret saying this but it's been pretty drama free for me:

The cable to the boot broke and cost £40 to fix.
The cable to the door mirrors must be dodgy because they often refuse to open fully from start up, I just leave them in the open position.
I had an exhaust bracket welded at under £40
I have a glow plug out but it's been the same for 2 years with no issues at all.
I'm still on the original brake pads and discs!
I would drive it to Spain tonight if required.

Expect a new thread from me anyday soon asking for advice because my car has died in the most horrible way.