New MB owner soon - hopefully!

[AMMANATI]

Hi guys,

Just looking to buy my first MB. Used to drive Fiat, Volvo, Ford but haven't owned one since moving to London few years ago. The time has come and looking forward to driving regularly again.
Looking at the w211 from 2007-2009. I am no mechanic myself whatsoever but hoping to learn here. Clearly there is a lot of info on the forum.

Thanks

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome, good luck with the search.

 

[MissyD]

Hello and welcome

 

[Smart320]

Welcome, had a 2008 w211 E320cdi Avantagarde, great car , hopefully you will be able to find a good model

 

[AMMANATI]

Welcome, had a 2008 w211 E320cdi Avantagarde, great car , hopefully you will be able to find a good model

Thank you! I am looking at the same but in Sport trim. Can I use this thread to ask question on what to look out for in this car? Any advise?

 

[Smart320]

No problem although there hopefully will be some more technical input from other members.
Definitely look for a complete service history, main dealer / MB specialist ( Indi ) as well as checking the MOT history which should indicate what sort of ownership it might have had / confirm the mileage looks genuine. Avoid if there are any dash board warning lights ( although they are very sensitive to low / bad batteries which can show up as a whole series of warning lights / convenience functions not available.
Check for gearbox service history, should have been done every 37500 miles or 4 years, whichever soonest.
If serviced correctly should have had Brake fluid changed every 2 years.
Gearbox when warm should change up and down very smoothly, no jerking.
Try to ensure you drive it from cold, gearbox can have sharp up / downshift to 1-2 or second to third when cold , had this on my ML ( same gearbox ) this not a problem as long as changes smooth once you have done 2-3 miles. If gearbox not been serviced budget approx £200 ish for a full gearbox / torque converter fluid change at an Indi.
Check brake discs are not badly lipped.
Only problem I had was ABS wheel sensor replacement needed, they don't like standing parked for too long
If you're not using it regularly.
Look out for / listen for injectors leaking / Google BlackDeath.
Swirl flap motors prone to problems if you get oil leaks ( once again Google )
If I was buying if the body / interior/ tyres looks good and it has a good service record and drives well
I would not be too worried if the mileage was high, they can be very reliable if serviced correctly at the correct mileage, there are plenty around just hope you find a good one.
Maybe there is a forum member with a W211 for sale, check in the classified section of the forum website

 

[Smart320]

Pachanga 231 has a 2007 Sport which he posted as being for sale on the forum

 

[AMMANATI]

Pachanga 231 has a 2007 Sport which he posted as being for sale on the forum

Could you tag him please? I havent seen it in Sales.

 

[AMMANATI]

@Smart320 thank you! Thats great list. I didnt know about exact intervals but I noted that in the last 4-5 years the brake fluid or gearbox were not serviced. Only engine oil and filters.
Actually it was like:
brake fluid 2009, 2011 in MB, then not once since.
gearbox not once

Engine oil was changed regularly to the low ash one 5w30/C3. Seller does not have any repairs, parts replaced receipts. He didnt know (dealer). Although I noticed new springs in the front.

So the service history exist but is it a good one?

 

[AMMANATI]

Pachanga 231 has a 2007 Sport which he posted as being for sale on the forum

@pachanga 231 is that true, you have e320cdi sport for sale?

 

[Smart320]

I would keep looking based on that service history unless there are some other really good reasons to choose it and it drives really well , although I am sure that plenty of owners don't bother with gearbox service or replacing brake fluids. You would need to budget £300 min to get those done at an Indi.
What is the MOT HISTORY, more than one fail and regular advisories would indicate it has been run on a shoestring, if all passes and mileage ok then might be worth risking.
Also look now in forum section with items/ cars for sale, just seen posted this morning a really nice w212 e250cdi for very reasonable money, highish mileage but looks ok
Think Patchanga car was maybe an e280 , still a nice motor.

 

[AMMANATI]

It has 62k miles, 2 former keepers. Outside is very nice, literally 1 scratch on the bumper.
MOT history, last 5 checks, no advisories, since 2010 2 failures due to tyre tear. Second owner took much better care it seems.
Its 2007 reg but produced in 09.2006. The guy wants £6k.

I am in no rush. Viewing 2 more tomorrow and one next weekend.

 

[Smart320]

£6 k too expensive, I p/X my E320 Avantagarde 2008 2 years ago with 45 k on clock , full MB history, all serviced as per the book and got £ 4850 against an ML of similar age.
Put the car details into WeBuyAnyCar website and it will give you a value ( and that is probably what a trader would give the owner in part ex )
Take a good look at what price similar cars are advertised at.
Service history then not major issue as the MOT history looks pretty good. But if negotiating on price you can use the lack of Gearbox service and brake fluid changes to get price reduction.
Good luck

 

[pachanga 231]

E280 cdi sport
2007

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[pachanga 231]

@pachanga 231 is that true, you have e320cdi sport for sale?

E280 cdi sport, 2007

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[AMMANATI]

E280 cdi sport, 2007

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Is it listed anywhere? Can you send me details? Thank you

 

[Smart320]

Go to heading above Search Forums, open then it offers search by various , enter pachanga in by member search option and his car appears in the third post down , headed for sale

 

[AMMANATI]

Found it thanks!

£6 k too expensive, I p/X my E320 Avantagarde 2008 2 years ago with 45 k on clock , full MB history, all serviced as per the book and got £ 4850 against an ML of similar age.
Put the car details into WeBuyAnyCar website and it will give you a value ( and that is probably what a trader would give the owner in part ex )
Take a good look at what price similar cars are advertised at.
Service history then not major issue as the MOT history looks pretty good. But if negotiating on price you can use the lack of Gearbox service and brake fluid changes to get price reduction.
Good luck

Yeah it seemed to me too expensive. 4850 or 5k would work much better.
WeBuyAnyCar quoted £4k so you're right. Its probably what the owner p/x it.
Listed prices vary between £4250 and £6000 (for 08/09 and dealers). I think service history is not brilliant so def a negotiation but not sure I would anyway.

 

[AMMANATI]

I would keep looking based on that service history unless there are some other really good reasons to choose it and it drives really well , although I am sure that plenty of owners don't bother with gearbox service or replacing brake fluids. You would need to budget £300 min to get those done at an Indi.
What is the MOT HISTORY, more than one fail and regular advisories would indicate it has been run on a shoestring, if all passes and mileage ok then might be worth risking.
Also look now in forum section with items/ cars for sale, just seen posted this morning a really nice w212 e250cdi for very reasonable money, highish mileage but looks ok
Think Patchanga car was maybe an e280 , still a nice motor.

Just saw that w212 it does look good, well serviced. Waiting for my min number of posts so that i can PM him .

 

[Smart320]

Just saw that w212 it does look good, well serviced. Waiting for my min number of posts so that i can PM him .

If you are really interested ask the administrators they might enable the facility for you to message