gary350
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2004
- Messages
- 809
- Location
- south wales
- Car
- slk 230 & slk 350 (sold) Jag XF 2.7 Premium Luxury
The 350 is my slk I will go for the 320cdi if I do buy the E.
gary
gary
We went to test drive a facelift E class (280 Cdi Avantgarde Estate) last Saturday and regrettably it was not a happy experience. Remember this is the model that MB is pinning its hopes on to turn around its somewhat tarnished reputation; they keep reminding us that the facelift 211 has over 2000 new components so I was looking forward to a top line experience that would persuade us to part with the best part of £45,000.
On leaving the dealer’s premises it quickly became apparent that the car was lacking in power. It was impossible to accelerate over 1800 rpm in any gear and we made a somewhat sedate return to base. Our “minder” decided that for some reason the car’s management system had reverted to safe mode and he recommended that we consumed some coffee and Danish pastries whilst he investigated. Twenty minutes later he emerged triumphant; he had been unable to commandeer anyone from the workshop to offer assistance but having started and stopped the engine about half a dozen times the problem had miraculously gone away.
Sure enough once we cleared the built up area and ventured out towards the M40 it quickly became clear that the new 3 litre diesel engine and 7 speed automatic transmission had oodles of seamless power and was a marked improvement on our 5 year old E320Cdi. The car was exceptionally quiet at all speeds and the ride quality on less than perfect roads was also better and seemed close to S class standards.
However the climate control system emitted an annoying and quite tiring whistling sound when set to auto. The only way to reduce this was to set it to manual and control the fan speed independently to reduce the airflow.
Every single footbrake application produced a low volume but just noticeable graunching sound from the lower part of the car coupled by a slight tremor in the footbrake which was reminiscent of the ABS system cutting in on the old W126 S Class of 20 years ago.
I also thought the new steering wheel design of the facelift model was a cheap and cheerful alternative to the style it replaced. The wheel rim looked and felt like a piece of compressed plastic foam more commonly used as packaging material for consumer electronics goods. Not quite what I expected in a car of this price.
On returning to the showroom both my wife and I were somewhat surprised that the salesman’s reaction seemed to be one of some indifference although he did say he would report our findings to Mercedes. I would have thought a greater priority would have been to take this vehicle out of service immediately and carry on with the other demonstrator they had to avoid hacking off any more potential customers.
I count myself lucky I didn’t commit to spending over 35% more on the latest model than I spent five years ago on our on our current car – a massive price increase I think. This new model is an excellent car in so many respects that I left it with the salesman that I would not reject buying one out of hand but carefully monitor other purchasers’ experiences over the next 12 months for frustration or delight. There is also nothing wrong with our 70,000 mile E class so this gives us plenty of time in the months to come to reflect on what alternative marque might suit our needs. If it didn’t look so damn butch, we might be tempted to go for a Chrysler 300C Touring. With Mercedes engine, gearbox and drive train and fully loaded with toys for under £30,000 it has a lot going for it.
On leaving the dealer’s premises it quickly became apparent that the car was lacking in power. It was impossible to accelerate over 1800 rpm in any gear and we made a somewhat sedate return to base. Our “minder” decided that for some reason the car’s management system had reverted to safe mode and he recommended that we consumed some coffee and Danish pastries whilst he investigated. Twenty minutes later he emerged triumphant; he had been unable to commandeer anyone from the workshop to offer assistance but having started and stopped the engine about half a dozen times the problem had miraculously gone away.
Sure enough once we cleared the built up area and ventured out towards the M40 it quickly became clear that the new 3 litre diesel engine and 7 speed automatic transmission had oodles of seamless power and was a marked improvement on our 5 year old E320Cdi. The car was exceptionally quiet at all speeds and the ride quality on less than perfect roads was also better and seemed close to S class standards.
However the climate control system emitted an annoying and quite tiring whistling sound when set to auto. The only way to reduce this was to set it to manual and control the fan speed independently to reduce the airflow.
Every single footbrake application produced a low volume but just noticeable graunching sound from the lower part of the car coupled by a slight tremor in the footbrake which was reminiscent of the ABS system cutting in on the old W126 S Class of 20 years ago.
I also thought the new steering wheel design of the facelift model was a cheap and cheerful alternative to the style it replaced. The wheel rim looked and felt like a piece of compressed plastic foam more commonly used as packaging material for consumer electronics goods. Not quite what I expected in a car of this price.
On returning to the showroom both my wife and I were somewhat surprised that the salesman’s reaction seemed to be one of some indifference although he did say he would report our findings to Mercedes. I would have thought a greater priority would have been to take this vehicle out of service immediately and carry on with the other demonstrator they had to avoid hacking off any more potential customers.
I count myself lucky I didn’t commit to spending over 35% more on the latest model than I spent five years ago on our on our current car – a massive price increase I think. This new model is an excellent car in so many respects that I left it with the salesman that I would not reject buying one out of hand but carefully monitor other purchasers’ experiences over the next 12 months for frustration or delight. There is also nothing wrong with our 70,000 mile E class so this gives us plenty of time in the months to come to reflect on what alternative marque might suit our needs. If it didn’t look so damn butch, we might be tempted to go for a Chrysler 300C Touring. With Mercedes engine, gearbox and drive train and fully loaded with toys for under £30,000 it has a lot going for it.
the butchness is what sells it 
SL Boy said:
C240Sport97 said:the butchness is what sells it
well I can imagine it might be of interest to the likes of David Beckham and the footballer crowd as a fashion statement but there must be a reason why these cars are not exactly flying off our local dealer's shelves; surely they should be at their price compared to an E class estate.
jeremytaylor
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2005
- Messages
- 2,414
- Location
- Surrey Hills
- Car
- E280CDI Sport Est., CLK 200k Cab., VW T5 174, Citroen C8, and a 2CV!
I remember seeing in the news recently about a disgruntled mobile home tenant who demolished the park owners Essex home with a JCB, in the process flattening his cars.
A Chrysler Crossfire and a 300C.
I'm not sure I would like to put my money into the chariot of choice for an Essex trailer-park owner.
A Chrysler Crossfire and a 300C.
I'm not sure I would like to put my money into the chariot of choice for an Essex trailer-park owner.
glojo said:
yes John, this (the touring) one
http://www.chrysler.co.uk/chrysler/vehicle.aspx?ID=248,17
but they are selling very well. You even have to wait 2 months for delivery for the CDi model as it's such good value. plus discounts are not high on them, about 5%.
SL Boy said:
glojo
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
C240Sport97 said:
I was trying to find out the details of the CDI but failed miserably. (as usual) Is it the older in-line straight six 3.2ltr or the newer V6 3.0ltr? Then I suppose if it is the older straight six, are the performance figures comparable to the older 210, or the newer 211?
John
it's the new V6 3.0 diesel but with 5 speed auto
http://www.chrysler.co.uk/chrysler/versions.aspx?ID=285,17,132
http://www.chrysler.co.uk/chrysler/versions.aspx?ID=285,17,132
glojo said:
glojo
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
C240Sport97 said:
Thanks very much,
One eye on the Internet and one eye on the cricket simply doesn't work
Oh by the way England actually won the Test.
Quite a few folks prefer the 5 speed box over the newer seven!!! Most manufacturers believe a six speed is the optimum but each to their own and I'm sure the seven speed is brilliant.
By the way England have just won the latest Test and I believe that also means the series??? Great series played in a great spirit.
John
we won something?
we won something?
we won something?
worth repeating!!!!
we won something?
we won something?
worth repeating!!!!
glojo said:Oh by the way England actually won the Test.
By the way England have just won the latest Test and I believe that also means the series??? Great series played in a great spirit.
John
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
gary350 said:
It certainly is hard on the Avantgarde BUT on that model you can choose the comfort suspension which I think is much nicer on awful British roads. The hard suspension is often compounded by people fitting bigger wheels and low profile tyres and then you get a ride as harsh as a BMW. Some like it but in modern traffic on our roads it seems to me pointless.
On the sport version you cannot choose the comfort suspension.
What you can get is the air suspension as on the S class. This is fabulous. You can set it to comfort, or sport or sport times two. You choose, to suit your mood. Personally I prefer Elegance for the walnut and leather look and am not keen on the aluminium industrial building look. But whatever style you like the air suspension is well worth trying. Magic carpet ride.
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