New To Me E220?

[tommytucker]

Hello all, haven't posted for yonks partly due to ilness but hopefully on the mend now and so I'm thinking it's time I changed my car so 1st a bit of background. Had my S211 E320 for 11 years this summer and I'm thinking of downsizing to a S213 E220. The 320 engine and Airmatic have been excellent during my ownership but I don't think I need a 6 cylinder these days although the Airmatic is always welcome. Sorry for the bad language but I've been doing a lot of research on BMW 5 series and Volvo V90 but seem to have come full circle back to MB mainly I think because mine has been so good. Now I'm retired, emphasis is purely on reliability and comfort, not sure about the autonomous stuff but would like Nappa if I can find one. Budget is 35K so can any of you guys give me your thoughts good or bad, sorry for the long thread, all comments much appreciated.
Tom

 

[Smart320]

Stick with 6 cylinders

 

[RSTurbo50]

Should have stayed with BMW

 

[SmartAmg]

Firstly Tom, glad to hear your on the mend. You'll get a lovely Mercedes E220 for 35k. Would definitely make sure it's a Premium Plus model with all the toys, and a Pan Roof is very nice. Good luck with your search.

 

[Gazwould]

This would be the 1950cc OM654 engine ?

 

[fabes]

Now you are retired (congrats btw) will you be doing the miles to require and justify a diesel?

You may be doing the road trips we all promise ourselves, but if not, the world is your lobster (Rodney) and a good 4 cylinder E class or even a 6 cylinder petrol / hybrid could be yours in budget.

Just a thought.....

 

[DrNick]

V90 is very nice but is a bit of a barge. Makes the E class seem very nimble

 

[Gollom]

Personally - stay with the S211 if it is a good car. Wish I had stayed with mine and most people I know who changed think the same. The S211 is timeless

 

[tommytucker]

Stick with 6 cylinders

I'd love to but I musn't let my heart rule my head.

 

[tommytucker]

Should have stayed with BMW

I get the impression your'e not happy with MB/

 

[tommytucker]

Firstly Tom, glad to hear your on the mend. You'll get a lovely Mercedes E220 for 35k. Would definitely make sure it's a Premium Plus model with all the toys, and a Pan Roof is very nice. Good luck with your search.

Thanks for the kind words, I'm in no rush so going to take my time and hopefully find the right car.

 

[tommytucker]

This would be the 1950cc OM654 engine ?

Yes that is correct.

 

[tommytucker]

V90 is very nice but is a bit of a barge. Makes the E class seem very nimble

Looking at the dimensions of both there's very little in it, the best thing to do would be to test drive both.

 

[tommytucker]

Personally - stay with the S211 if it is a good car. Wish I had stayed with mine and most people I know who changed think the same. The S211 is timeless

Your'e not the 1st person to say that to me, along with a couple of mates my wife says the same but I was thinking that newer technology etc would make for a better car. I feel that the car is of an age where something big could go on it, on the other hand I'd be gutted if I was to regret selling it. Decisions decisions!

 

[Gazwould]

The 1950cc OM654 is fine if the miles are low and annual mileage is small , some amazing mpg figures .

Higher mileage and the chocolate melts

 

[RSTurbo50]

I get the impression your'e not happy with MB/

every Mercedes I have had has had some sort of issue whether it be small or large. BMW's on the other hand, they always ALWAYS are reliable and drive so much nicer. Ok maybe not as comfortable but like chalk and cheese when it comes to excitement

 

[MD5]

I feel that the car is of an age where something big could go on it, on the other hand I'd be gutted if I was to regret selling it.

You won't know until you do, Tommy, then it's too late!! I've had my S211 E500 about 12 years or more now, and whilst I fancy a change, Euro 6 diesel engines put me off with their known issues (the replacement I want doesn't have a sensible petrol option).

If you like your car enough to have kept it all this time and something big goes, it's very little, spread over all those years. I take the view of could I buy the car for the cost of the repair? It softens the blow for a new lease of life, and you'd still have £30k+ to play with, and you could buy yourself a nice weekend toy!

 

[E55BOF]

every Mercedes I have had has had some sort of issue whether it be small or large. BMW's on the other hand, they always ALWAYS are reliable and drive so much nicer. Ok maybe not as comfortable but like chalk and cheese when it comes to excitement

You need an AMG,, not a four-pot diesel AMG Sport...

 

[markjay]

That'll be an S213 E220d... with the AdBlue system....

 

[MrGreedy]

I'd love to but I musn't let my heart rule my head.

Says the person thinking of dropping £35k on a liability that will depreciate rapidly?

I think your idea of letting head rule heart and mine must be somewhat different.

With £35k to play with, there is plenty of room for head and heart.

I'd consider something like a very low miles super condition Lexus IS200 petrol, similar age to the Merc, for drudgery duties (very reliable).

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2008 £7k 29k miles

Your 'toy' of choice, be that an MX5, something off-roady, a bike (pedal or engine!?), SLK etc.

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

2014 £7k 39k miles


£20k in the bank for repairs/compound interest/road trips to Spain/Italy/meals out at nice places/weekends away/learn to skydive/start a small business hobby/get the garden improved etc.

With the Lexus and Mazda I've linked to, they are two cars where even at their age, I would expect good reliability.

If it must be Merc and must be £35k, you can get a decent 6 cylinder for well under that £35k and save some cash for fuel. How many miles over your predicted ownership are we talking here? 10k? 20k? 50k? If we are talking head over heart here, the use case becomes critical and we need to be able to look at the figures to see where the break even/cliff edges are/is diesel worth it due to mega miles/mileage isn't an issue therefore the 'premium' of a V6 for the anticipated life of ownership is pocket change in the grand scheme of things.

Congrats on reaching retirement