s204 estate: what to look for?

[graphnic]

Thanks to everyone who gave me sage advice on my first post looking looking for an E Class. While my preference is still for a 2012-on E Class estate, the current market is pricing most of the nice ones from good dealers over my £10k max budget (we're trying to release some money from our current, much newer, Skoda Superb 220), so stretching the budget isn't an option. I've therefore started looking at s204 facelift estates, which I think we could just about make work with our 2 kids and the associated junk we cart around on holidays!

Is there anything over and above the usual FSH to watch out for with the s204? I suspect it will be a diesel auto we'll be looking at. @jaymanek at Mercland, which is not far from me, has a few in at the moment and seems to be posting a lot of c-classes in the classified here, so I think finding one might be easier.

 

[Smiley]

You'll be in safe hands buying from mercland, from what I've seen on here over the years the car will have been properly checked over before it's sold - probably more thoroughly than a main dealer. Otherwise the big thing to look for is rear subframe corrosion on top of all the usual stuff.
After that just bear in mind that euro5 diesels are probably going to depreciate fairly heavily over the next few years as more and more low emissions zones come into force, depends on where you live and drive to I guess.

 

[graphnic]

You'll be in safe hands buying from mercland, from what I've seen on here over the years the car will have been properly checked over before it's sold - probably more thoroughly than a main dealer. Otherwise the big thing to look for is rear subframe corrosion on top of all the usual stuff.
After that just bear in mind that euro5 diesels are probably going to depreciate fairly heavily over the next few years as more and more low emissions zones come into force, depends on where you live and drive to I guess.

Thanks, good to know about the subframe... I'll try and get an eyeball under there.

Mercland seems to have some nice stock and I like that they list the service history. Google reviews are mixed, but I take those with a pinch of salt. There are always some numpties with an axe to grind.

I have found a few nice looking E-Class's but they are all from non-specialist small dealers so it's a bit of a lottery.

Yes, the Euro5 impact on values is a concern although we live in small market town, so won't generally be a big inconvenience to us. If I go to London I nearly always use the train. Irony is, we have a ULEZ compliant 2018 petrol at the moment but the unending financial squeeze has caused us to make some changes and release some of that value. Such is life!

 

[Tonygw]

I Have an S204 C250CDi, I also have two kids and regularly carry large or heavy loads. It copes fine. Been on a few camping holidays and towed a medium trailer from time to time. No issues at all.


In 3&1/2 years of ownership its had:-

New timing chain and tensioner (excessive use of stop start by previous owner)
Water pump (common to leak, not a big job)
New intercooler pipe (split, probably due to my lead right foot)

New front lower arm bushes, advised when it was serviced as an advisory, common though
New front (rear) lower arm due to MOT advisory of slight play in ball joint
New transmission mount, easy repair, common wear item

Apart from that just the usual servicing at MB specialist.

As said Mercland will sell you a good car that's been thoroughly checked over, they have a good reputation.

I keep my cars in good condition, anything that is advised is done. They are good reliable cars, and its only wear and tear. I bought the car with 80K on and its now on 115K, not excessive mileage I know but I have no intention of changing it any time soon.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Don't discount the petrols either; most will be C180s which from 2012 was the M274 engine which doesn't have the timing chain issues of the earlier M271 lump.
I was doubtful before I bought mine that a 1.6 in such a relatively heavy car would be man enough, but in reality it doesn't struggle at all and returns around 43mpg on a decent motorway run.
Then there's this rare beast:
Mercedes C350 PETROL AMG Sport BlueEfficiency Estate | Mercedes Cars for Sale

 

[graphnic]

I Have an S204 C250CDi, I also have two kids and regularly carry large or heavy loads. It copes fine. Been on a few camping holidays and towed a medium trailer from time to time. No issues at all.


In 3&1/2 years of ownership its had:-

New timing chain and tensioner (excessive use of stop start by previous owner)
Water pump (common to leak, not a big job)
New intercooler pipe (split, probably due to my lead right foot)

New front lower arm bushes, advised when it was serviced as an advisory, common though
New front (rear) lower arm due to MOT advisory of slight play in ball joint
New transmission mount, easy repair, common wear item

Apart from that just the usual servicing at MB specialist.

As said Mercland will sell you a good car that's been thoroughly checked over, they have a good reputation.

I keep my cars in good condition, anything that is advised is done. They are good reliable cars, and its only wear and tear. I bought the car with 80K on and its now on 115K, not excessive mileage I know but I have no intention of changing it any time soon.

Thanks, all useful info. Much appreciated!

 

[graphnic]

Don't discount the petrols either; most will be C180s which from 2012 was the M274 engine which doesn't have the timing chain issues of the earlier M271 lump.
I was doubtful before I bought mine that a 1.6 in such a relatively heavy car would be man enough, but in reality it doesn't struggle at all and returns around 43mpg on a decent motorway run.
Then there's this rare beast:
Mercedes C350 PETROL AMG Sport BlueEfficiency Estate | Mercedes Cars for Sale

I had read about the issues on the previous one. Good to know it's solid from there on. That C350 is very tempting, although I'm not sure it would get sign-off from my better half!

 

[graphnic]

Shame to see this generation was a bit mediocre on the Euro N Cap test, especially for pedestrian safety, when compared to its contemporaries.

 

[Chrishazle]

Be aware that if you go for a 204 facelift with Comand, updating the satnav etc is more intricate and expensive than a pre-facelift, as the NTG4.5 fitted to those needs a code from the MB mainframe specific to the VIN then the update DVD's, whereas pre-facelift with NTG4 just needs the DVD's. I speak as an owner of a pre-facelift S204 with Comand!! However, the RF for a facelift could be less than a pre-facelift. Check the CO2 emissions of what you're looking at, I got a nasty surprise when collecting mine as I was expecting much lower RF!!

 

[graphnic]

Be aware that if you go for a 204 facelift with Comand, updating the satnav etc is more intricate and expensive than a pre-facelift, as the NTG4.5 fitted to those needs a code from the MB mainframe specific to the VIN then the update DVD's, whereas pre-facelift with NTG4 just needs the DVD's. I speak as an owner of a pre-facelift S204 with Comand!! However, the RF for a facelift could be less than a pre-facelift. Check the CO2 emissions of what you're looking at, I got a nasty surprise when collecting mine as I was expecting much lower RF!!

Thanks for the heads up... I'm getting the sense the E-Class of the same era is a safer bet all round.

 

[Skd884]

Thanks for the heads up... I'm getting the sense the E-Class of the same era is a safer bet all round.

Use google maps dont worry about the dated Comand system.

 

[Smiley]

Thanks for the heads up... I'm getting the sense the E-Class of the same era is a safer bet all round.

No I don't think that's the case. I would not bother about the command, not sure why anyone would bother with an old car sat nav when the phone works better.
The S204 diesel engines span the e class S211 and S212 models - early 2008/9 S204s in 2.1 litre diesel were fitted with the bulletproof OM646 (2148cc) engine as fitted to the S211 range. Later S204s in 2.1 diesel format were fitted with the OM651 (2143cc) unit.
The OM651 was tweaked during the production run and the emissions fell from 2009 through to 2014/15 (? )when the S205 was introduced. The earlier OM646 models have higher emissions and ca £300 VED whereas the newer 2013/14 OM651 models in SE option with 16 inch wheels can get all the way down to about £130 VED - and there is probably an overall 10mpg difference between the early and late S204s.
As far as what to look for the rear subframe is the biggie on the S204 but there have been cases on the S211/212 as well so equal there. The S211/212 has the added complexity of rear air suspension - apart from that the mechanicals are the same. It is a trade off between the bulletproof OM646 vs the more economical but slightly less robust OM651 - either are good and I would decide based on condition and service history. If you can live without the extra space of the 211/212 then the 204 is likely to be quite a bit cheaper to run overall so if that's the objective the 204 is the way to go.
Bear in mind that the S204 is also available as a C200cdi, same OM651 engine detuned by about 20% and very little difference in fuel economy - don't really see the attraction of it.
BTW I assume that you thought about an older VAG model eg skoda superb/octavia/passat? Also decent cars but probably not as reliable as the merc.