Purchasing Advice

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gareth041

New Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2004
Messages
8
Good Afternoon All

I am hoping you could give me a bit of a steer with my choice of steed?
Unfortunately I need to replace my Vito as somebody side swipped it and it is now a write off. I have claimed off my insurance and will be looking at a C220 CDI 04-06 or an E220/270 04/05. I have seen comments/blogs and posts about rust and bad electrics but would like any direction from you all if you do not mind. My Vito had 185k on it and we had it as we did a lot of outdoors stuff and had a big dog. Josh, bless him, died age 5 so now all I need is an estate to ferry the five of us around the Lake District.

Any tips or threads you can direct me to would be most welcome.

Thanks,

Gareth.
 
Afternoon Gareth,

I have an E320 cdi Advantagarde Estate which often has 5 in and is comfortable so I'd say go up to an E rather than the C although I've not been in a C Class.

Estates are useful I always think although not sure if a saloon will be cheaper.

Get another dog!!

David
 
E Class models have the 'can be trouble' SBC brake assist fitted for the manufactured years you mention. See if you can find one with FSH, including the SBC unit being replaced.

Use the forum's search option and look for 'ticking time bomb'. Circa £1500+ to replace if and when they fail.

Post 2004 C Class facelift models are galvanised, so less chance of rust.
Touch wood, I've never had problems with mine, electrical or otherwise. (C Class).
 
Gareth

I would agree with David's comments above, the C class is not spacious, fine for two but cramped for 5.

I am sure you know about the SBC issues on the E class and the injector leak that afflicts some diesels? Check for leaking / staining around the injectors or a chuffing noise. Not a deal breaker but factor in the cost of removal and re-seating if found.

David
 
Good Morning All

Thanks for the replies so far and especially about the brake assist issue, very scary!
I am hoping to see an E270 before the Weekend but he may have sold it already.
FSH and a good spec.

To John and After Shock. Losing the big fella left a huge whole in our life so I relented and we have a 5 month old Border Terrier. Tiny in comparison but completely nuts :)

Any other hints and tips, especially to other posts so I do not waste peoples time most welcome.

Gareth.
 
Regarding the sbc brake problem , if the car has full MB service history and been looked after and less than around 7 years old Mercedes may do the sbc pump under a good will gesture if it does fail !!! But as I was told all cases are treated individually and can't be guaranteed a good will gesture ,,,
 
My Mum has a 2004 E320 CDI Avantagrde, 116k on the clock, FMBSH, COMAND, Drivers electri memory seat, Heated seats, Parktronic, Xenons, 18" AMG Wheels and she absolutely loves it. Had a 2005 W203 C220 CDI Avantgarde Sport before - what a big difference the E makes. I would definitely get the E class and try keep to the 6 pot engines. Great pulling power. As others have said above, watch out for the SBC issue (luckily ours has been fine so far). Makesure it has the BEHR Radiator and NOT the Valeo. Should be ok 2004/2005 as you are looking at.
 
We have a C-class estate and an E-class estate (albeit of different generations), and we're always surprised at how much roomier the latter is considering the relatively small increase in overall dimensions.

Sorry to hear about Josh btw.
 
The e220 and e270 have a reputation for being very reliable engines (my occasional taxi driver had 470K from a 55plate e220). Although post 2006 many of the e class electrical niggles were sorted.

We have a 7month old Border terrier, who is our 3rd. The two previous ones got to 16yrs without bothering a vet until their last year or so. They are pretty long lived, healthy and pretty high energy for little dogs. Our current fella is still fairly loopy. They calm down when they are +10yrs.

I don't take the dog in my eclass estate very often but at least he's got plenty of space for his cage in the back. You could get a pack of BTs in there :) It's always a slight comedy moment when the tinted rear door opens and from a eclass estate emerges a little terrier!
 
To John and After Shock. Losing the big fella left a huge whole in our life so I relented and we have a 5 month old Border Terrier. Tiny in comparison but completely nuts :)

Brilliant.
 
Good Morning All

Well I have now travelled over 800 Miles to see "mint" "FSH" cars and do not have one.
The last E270 CDI had FSH from the local back street garage that was no specialist, it had not seen a main dealer for over 100k, six advisories on the MOT.
The one before had an inoperative rear wiper and parking sensors and bald front tyres and he would not budge on price!

I have noticed the amount of great looking E320 CDI's available and was wondering if people had truly measured what their MPG really is and is there a post on here. I looked on Google and found quite a lot but nothing consistent.

One other question if you do not mind. Is air suspension something to avoid or prefer?

Thanks all for the replies so far,

Gareth.:thumb:
 
Have a look at ML270 CDI. Cheap to buy with a lot more fun factor.
 
Hi again All

Another question after some more investigating if you do not mind?

On searching I understand that the mesh centre grille signifies an updated model.
Please can you confirm if that is "set in stone" and should I avoid earlier cars with the slatted grille please?
Apologies for the questions but trying to find a good, honest car is not as easy as you might think!

Thanks Guy's,

Gareth.
 
John Jones Jr said:
Brilliant.

Great stuff. Couldn't be without a dog.

Look at estates.

320's aren't bad unless I guess you're doing mega miles.

What is your budget?

Look at a few cars that interest you on eBay. Post the link on here and see what views you get from people.

If it looks a good possibility and it is near someone they will often happily go have a look at it. We are all "car" people so enjoy it and are happy to help out.
 
Good Morning All

Further to my "hunt" please see below some examples of cars I am considering looking at:

Mercedes-Benz E Class E320 CDI Avantgarde 5dr Tip Auto 3.2

Mercedes-Benz E Class E270 CDI Avantgarde 5dr Tip Auto 2.7

Mercedes-Benz E Class E270 CDI Avantgarde 5dr Tip Auto 2.7

Mercedes Benz E-Class e270 cdi | eBay

The combination I am after is as follows:
  • Heated Seats
  • Parking Sensors
  • Rear Seven Seater
  • Tow Bar possibly
Any opinions on the above cars is very welcome.
My commute six days a Week is Kendal to Barrow. Door to door 37.5 Miles part dual carriageway, part A road. I currently set my cruise at 52-55 Mph and want to see a genuine 42 MPG hence the hunt for a E270 CDI as a "half way house" between grunt and economy.

Please can you give me any more advice/guidance before I give up :wallbash:

Thanks All for being helpful and cool so far,

Gareth.
 
Morning Gareth

My ability to be properly helpful has come to an end.

I really can't comment on MPG between a 270 and 320. The 320 has great pick up and if you are "5" up I think would be better. Again I don't know how well a 270 would compare but logic dictates???!! Jump in anyone!

I bought mine and loved it. Regretted not "bargaining" harder though!

Be interested to read the report on the eBay listed car that says "Car been chcecked by E class specialist mechanic and there was no fault to any part of the engine,suspension, exhaust, etc.". Also get a guarantee on this?

If you get overall MPG figures and approximate your yearly mileage this will tell you how much buying a 320 over a 270 will cost I guess?

Do Taxi drivers all have 270's??? Never noticed!

I don't know why but I like the 3rd on the list! As I said not really helpful. However. Don't give up. I spent a long time waiting and looking for the right spec car to come up and it drove me nuts but was worthwhile. I love mine now and wouldn't switch to a different badge if I change.

Good luck.
David
 
On the basis of presentation / condition, service history, only two owners and mileage I'd go with the second from bottom advert / car - but it compromises your requirement for seven seats?
 
My preference would be the 320 but for the mileage. Best spec, nice colour.
 

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