Pre or Post facelift W211?

[dmarook]

Hello

I am hoping to buy a used W211 in the next couple of weeks. I would appreciate some advice.
1) I am wondering whether I should go for a Pre or Post facelift W211? Budget is between 12 to 14K.
2) Is there great advantage in buying from a dealer (Approved used)?
3) Anything particular I should be mindful about for the E-Class models between 05 to 07?
Thank in advance for any help, advice or insight.

 

[Ratz]

I've owned both and the post-facelift is definitely the better car and according to the local dealer much the more reliable (this was when I still owned the older car).

Approved used gives you a comprehensive MB warranty. I found out to my cost that 3rd party warranties leave you very short when it comes to claiming. For example max value per claim is limited, for a gearbox failure (as in my case) they will not replace the gearbox but repair.

I was particularly unlucky with my first W211 which turned out to be a complete lemon, so I may well be biased.

 

[Mactech]

I had two pre-facelift S211's and both were brilliant
I did have a facelift 211 as a loan car last year, and I felt the 220CDI engine was a big improvement over the pre-facelift car, but you would really have to drive the cars back to back to spot the other improvements other than the few visual changes.
If you are looking at an 05 or 06 car then I don't think the reliability issues are worth worring about, but if it's a 220CDI you are looking for then there really is a case for the facelift car.

 

[Donk]

I think if it was me and I could afford it I'd go post facelift if I could get the engine / trim combo I wanted in my price range. My pre facelift 04 W211 had no big issues other than smaller niggles that the dealer sorted out (electrical oddities, sat nav ariel, phone module, alloy wheel corrosion, random error messages etc) but I remember when the post facelift was introduced it was at a time when MB were really making an effort to make a difference in reliabilty. I seem to recall reading somewhere there were like 2000+ changes to the car and most of them not visible (dont quote me on that, best to check as I may have been dreaming).

I understand that the cars were also a bit sharper to drive? Its pretty usual for the last years of the model run from any manufacturer to have all the issues sorted so they make pretty good buys.

 

[e55]

Definately post face lift if you can. Alot of the electrical issues with the earlier models were resolved.

 

[dmarook]

Thanks everyone for your response. What are the major service intervals for these cars? I am looking at a couple which have done between 40K and 50K. Am I going to get a nice suprise in the coming months? I usually do less than 10K per year.

 

[jeremytaylor]

Having had pre and now post facelift 211s, I would go for the facelift models. You don't get the SBC brakes (but still get a hold function) and the spec levels are ever so slightly lower, but the handling finish and reliability are all improved.

 

[The Boss]

Hello

I am hoping to buy a used W211 in the next couple of weeks. I would appreciate some advice.
1) I am wondering whether I should go for a Pre or Post facelift W211? Budget is between 12 to 14K.
2) Is there great advantage in buying from a dealer (Approved used)?
3) Anything particular I should be mindful about for the E-Class models between 05 to 07?
Thank in advance for any help, advice or insight.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I have my 2005 e class for sale - e350 AMG avantgarde with all bells n whistles, factory amg kit etc, nappa, navigation, telephone, elec mem heated seats, xenons, 7 speed tip tronic etc..

silver metallic
black luxury nappa leather

1 owner + dealer
31k miles
just services last month
Full MBSH
MOTd and Tax'd
pristine condition, just got it back from Tony Fowkes, who checked over the body and tidied up any grazes, scratches, marks or car park door dings, condition really is A1.

if interested, reply on this thread for now, or let me know how to contact u and i shall send u some pics etc

pre or post, both seem to be good cars. i differ in view from others in that i personally prefer the pre facelift (my model) as the facelifted pointed nose design looks awful in my opinion. My brother has the facelifted version, and when i spent time with him, i found the look and feel of the interior a little lower quality feeling. i dunno.. the steering wheel plastics for example on the facelifted model seem lesser quality than the pre facelift model, a ot more shiny, and just more japanese looking in my opinion.

The new direction of pointed nose on the car just doesnt look right, the number plates don't sit right and if u ever nudged the front, it would look silly.

 

[christopherwk]

I just bought a facelift W211, and about to sell my pre-facelift W211

As I've yet to pick it up, the visual differences I can see so is the shape of the steering wheel, and the mirrors - they seem to be better designed than the pre-facelift mirrors who's electrical functions keep failing because of the fragility of the wires inside the frame. I also agree with Boss above, about the pointy nose. The number plate has to be "bent" quite a lot for it to sit on the bumper.

I think, although not sure, the post-facelift W211s come with parking sensors and heated seats as standard, (depending on spec level?) as my pre-facelift W211 don't have these.

I'm not sure you can get an W211 within your budget at a main dealer, they seem to be a lot pricier.

Autoquake has a few in your budget, both pre and post-facelift, although their cars seem to be ex-lease, and most are standard spec with few options.

 

[dmarook]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I have my 2005 e class for sale - e350 AMG avantgarde with all bells n whistles, factory amg kit etc, nappa, navigation, telephone, elec mem heated seats, xenons, 7 speed tip tronic etc..

silver metallic
black luxury nappa leather

1 owner + dealer
31k miles
just services last month
Full MBSH
MOTd and Tax'd
pristine condition, just got it back from Tony Fowkes, who checked over the body and tidied up any grazes, scratches, marks or car park door dings, condition really is A1.

if interested, reply on this thread for now, or let me know how to contact u and i shall send u some pics etc

pre or post, both seem to be good cars. i differ in view from others in that i personally prefer the pre facelift (my model) as the facelifted pointed nose design looks awful in my opinion. My brother has the facelifted version, and when i spent time with him, i found the look and feel of the interior a little lower quality feeling. i dunno.. the steering wheel plastics for example on the facelifted model seem lesser quality than the pre facelift model, a ot more shiny, and just more japanese looking in my opinion.

The new direction of pointed nose on the car just doesnt look right, the number plates don't sit right and if u ever nudged the front, it would look silly.

Thanks for the info. Looks like very good specs. But I am a bit partial to black and am actually looking for a black one.

 

[The Boss]

Thanks for the info. Looks like very good specs. But I am a bit partial to black and am actually looking for a black one.

good luck on the search. there are many on ebay and auto trader.

my advice is to avoid dealers, and get second and third opinions from members on here...

knowledge is power, and there are alot of knowledgeable members on here.

Cover your back, and all will be well.

If your thoughts change, i am happy to email you new pictures etc on my car.

I am not a black car fan, as i always see the colour on hire cars, chauffeur cars and luxury taxi versions here in the UK, and thus the brighter neutral colours always seem to age well etc.. just a personal opinion.

if u see other cars from non dealers, do post on here and im sure the opinions will direct u to a good deal!

 

[vincenz]

good luck on the search. there are many on ebay and auto trader.

my advice is to avoid dealers, and get second and third opinions from members on here...

knowledge is power, and there are alot of knowledgeable members on here.

Cover your back, and all will be well.

If your thoughts change, i am happy to email you new pictures etc on my car.

I am not a black car fan, as i always see the colour on hire cars, chauffeur cars and luxury taxi versions here in the UK, and thus the brighter neutral colours always seem to age well etc.. just a personal opinion.

if u see other cars from non dealers, do post on here and im sure the opinions will direct u to a good deal!

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I have my 2005 e class for sale - e350 AMG avantgarde with all bells n whistles, factory amg kit etc, nappa, navigation, telephone, elec mem heated seats, xenons, 7 speed tip tronic etc..

silver metallic
black luxury nappa leather

1 owner + dealer
31k miles
just services last month
Full MBSH
MOTd and Tax'd
pristine condition, just got it back from Tony Fowkes, who checked over the body and tidied up any grazes, scratches, marks or car park door dings, condition really is A1.

if interested, reply on this thread for now, or let me know how to contact u and i shall send u some pics etc

pre or post, both seem to be good cars. i differ in view from others in that i personally prefer the pre facelift (my model) as the facelifted pointed nose design looks awful in my opinion. My brother has the facelifted version, and when i spent time with him, i found the look and feel of the interior a little lower quality feeling. i dunno.. the steering wheel plastics for example on the facelifted model seem lesser quality than the pre facelift model, a ot more shiny, and just more japanese looking in my opinion.

The new direction of pointed nose on the car just doesnt look right, the number plates don't sit right and if u ever nudged the front, it would look silly.

Just to counter the boss' opinion, I think the facelift cars look fantastic, you can't doubt they look newer with the more chisseled front and revised optics.

However what would make me get a facelift hands down is that the SBC braking assist was dropped and for MB to drop it speaks volumes that it was a flawed idea and should be avoided..... like the plague.

 

[st4]

I don't like the look of the post facelift but IMHO it is an improved car and worth purchasing if you can.

 

[GordonTarling]

I don't like the look of the post facelift

 

[Dryce]

However what would make me get a facelift hands down is that the SBC braking assist was dropped and for MB to drop it speaks volumes that it was a flawed idea and should be avoided..... like the plague.

Have you ever actually experienced SBC in action?

I would guess very few people who comment negatively on SBC have ever experienced it keeping a good day from turning into a bad day.

The pre-facelift W211 has an advanced braking system. The post-facelift W211 has a *cheaper* and arguably inferior setup which manages to emulate some of SBC's features.

I wouldn't be surprised if even 8 years on a 2010 W212 with the latest enhanced BAS implementation can be outbraked by a 2002 W211 with SBC.

 

[vincenz]

Have you ever actually experienced SBC in action?

I would guess very few people who comment negatively on SBC have ever experienced it keeping a good day from turning into a bad day.

The pre-facelift W211 has an advanced braking system. The post-facelift W211 has a *cheaper* and arguably inferior setup which manages to emulate some of SBC's features.

I wouldn't be surprised if even 8 years on a 2010 W212 with the latest enhanced BAS implementation can be outbraked by a 2002 W211 with SBC.

If was so good then why was it dropped? The concept was great but it was cheaply executed with sporadic pump failure in typical mid 00's Benz fashion.

I have seen the system in action when benchmarking.

 

[MUGGY]

Have you ever actually experienced SBC in action?

I would guess very few people who comment negatively on SBC have ever experienced it keeping a good day from turning into a bad day.

The pre-facelift W211 has an advanced braking system. The post-facelift W211 has a *cheaper* and arguably inferior setup which manages to emulate some of SBC's features.

I wouldn't be surprised if even 8 years on a 2010 W212 with the latest enhanced BAS implementation can be outbraked by a 2002 W211 with SBC.

Having a pre-facelift 211 I can testify to the amazing SBC braking system. Yes it is a little more costly on maintainance but it's got me out of trouble a few times and that makes it all worthwhile for me.

I can only comment on my own car but I have had no problems of any kind, electrical, SBC or otherwise in over 50,000 miles of use and my car is over 100,000 miles now.

Sorry I did have a couple of springs go but I understand that is common on all 211's pre & post facelift.

My advice would be to get the best spec/best kept car you can within your budget and don't worry about whether pre or post facelift.

If you go diesel I would consider a remap - I have been amazed at the difference - smoother and faster. In fact a mate of mine has just bought a new E350CDI Coupe and my car is definitely quicker

 

[st4]

I like SBC too and the brakes are really good on the 2 cars I have with SBC. However I haven't sampled a non SBC 211 and would wager with same size discs/same spec pads and a servo as opposed to an electric pump, the system should be as good.

The main reason I went for a pre facelifted 211 was

a) price
b) spec-wanted a sport one for the budget
c) they do look better, nicer grille, and front.

SBC pumps are often changed FOC by MB.

 

[Gareth]

I'd say with your budget your only really looking at pre-facelift and non-dealer? Unless your looking at high mileage anyway.

 

[SL300-24]

I have had both pre and post facelift....still have a 56 reg sport estate, sold an 03 saloon both 320 CDI's.

Personally I think the later car is better looking (especially in sport estate) over the earlier car, however this may just be down to familiarity of my old car and newness of the estate. I had no real problems with the old one, pano roof did not rattle, SBC brakes worked great but pump was noisy, alloys corroded very badly, and front sam unit had to be replaced, but overall a great car.
The post facelift braking system works just as well, abeit missing a couple of features, the build quaility seems comparable on both, I miss the centre glove box cooler in the old car, missing in the new one.
If you read the road tests/reports you should go for the post facelift, if only to be sure the valeo issue will not affect your purchase. Earlier inline 6 was more economical, later V6 more refined and quiet. 5 speed autobox more than adequate, 7 speed probably overkill on a torquey diesel but seemless gearchanges. Occasionally you can confuse the 7 speeder into changing up-down/down-up when not neccesary.
Overall a great car IMHO...