New E220Cdi Estate advice?

[The Polisher]

Hi All,

Newbie here, first post.

Currently drive a leased company Audi A4 Avant, which is due for replacement. Just got the new list, so need to choose and order.

I need a bigger car now, A4 just too small. 2 children in child seats and a 1500kg caravan to tow.

I can have an E220Cdi SE Estate auto. Test driven one and I love it!

Issues with factory fit bar as the dealers are telling me that if I factory order it, earliest delivery will be April/May and it will be the re-styled E Class, which I am not sure about!
Order without any extra's and I can have a pre booked one so will arrive earlier than retro fit a bar. Talked to PF Jones and no issues and cheaper than factory fit.

Any thoughts or issues with retro vs factory fit bars?

Any issues with E220Cdi, do about 40k a year so I want a comfy barge to tramp up and down the motorways with room for kids/dogs/bikes/caravan at weekends.

Advice or thoughts on current owners of this type appreciated!



Ps, also tried the BMW 5 series touring...... appalling ride! A6 Avant dull, E Class stands out by a mile for me!!

Thanks

 

[developer]

Welcome to you.

There wil be no issues with an aftermarket bar, provided you get it fitted properly by a reputable dealer.

I'm guessing 9 from 10 bars are aftermarket.

 

[Bacchus]

would you rather not wait a few months and get the facelifted E class
especially if you are keeping the car 3 years or so.

 

[The Polisher]

Not really, don't like the new look of the front end.

Also, don't have to option to wait that long due to end of lease of existing one!

 

[Mr E]

Loved both of my E220s (saloon and estate) - albeit W211 - and did 40k+ miles pa in both including regular runs down to the south of France (and even the south of Spain this year!).

Agree with you on the look of the facelift front-end - will have to see one in the flesh but I don't like what I've seen so far.

We did 740 miles in one hit (bar a fuel stop) last week in the W212 E250 saloon. Fantastic comfort - everyone else slept all the way - and just under 10 hours ferry to door. We'll see what it's like in the snow tomorrow as we head up to Isola for the weekend.

No-one I know who has a W211 / W212 went for the factory towbar as it was overprices compared to the aftermarket options.

Order and enjoy

 

[sinewave]

I've had three Witter Tow Bars fitted over the years, far better than most factory bars in my (and most others) opinion.

Mercedes Towbars - Find your Mercedes Tow Bar by Witter Towbars

 

[developer]

I've had three Witter Tow Bars fitted over the years, far better than most factory bars in my (and most others) opinion.

Mercedes Towbars - Find your Mercedes Tow Bar by Witter Towbars

Witter, Westfalia, Brink - all will be fine.

 

[Ash]

I'm very happy with our 212 estate. Excellent motorway car.
Capacious as the boot is, kids' stuff will always fill it.

I'd like a tow bar for a multi-bike rack. Let us know if you're pleased with yours.
Ash

 

[WillDeBeest]

Ours is a 211 too but it does the long-distance motorway stuff very well. The seats are an acquired taste - for a long-time Volvo driver like me - but without being as immediately welcoming, they support in all the right places on long journeys, so I get out with no ill-effects, and the space for a tall family and its luggage is just brilliant.

We had a Witter towbar fitted not long after taking delivery, but for not much less than the £650 the MB price list shows for a factory bar. The Witter bar is fine - and we use it only occasionally, for just the kind of bike rack Ash has in mind (I posted some pictures in another thread back in the summer) but I'd take the factory option if buying new.

Comments here prompted me to look for facelift 212 photos and I like it. The current 212 is a bit of a mess, but the facelift smooths out the headlights and tones down the fussy crease over the rear wheels. I like the slim tail lamps too; big improvement all round.

 

[The Polisher]

Well, deed has been done. Placed the order this morning.

E220Cdi SE Estate 7G Auto in Iridium Silver. Just got to wait for a date, hoping I can get a stock or pre-ordered car rather than wait for the new facelift....... which I really am not sure I like!

Lets see what happens in the coming weeks!

Thanks for the help, I opted to not have the factory bar and will be having one retro fitted by PF Jones when it arrives.