Should I buy a E320cdi?

[Orwic]

Hi everyone.

It's about time my old C240 (270K miles or near enough) was retired, and I've been wondering what to get to replace it. I do a lot of miles, mainly dual carriageway and motorway (very little round town) and nearly all journeys are over 25 miles. So I want some comfortable cruising (but would like a bit of performance). Also need a reasonably big boot (and don't want an estate).

I've been thinking about a E class, changing to diesel, and thought of a E320cdi, or maybe a E280cdi (if I've got the figures right).

I've seen mixed reports on E320cdi, but having sat in an E280 cdi yesterday at a local dealer, I did like the 'look and feel'. I'd be going for a secondhand car, maybe four years old, maybe a little bit older. I would appreciate some feedback from fellow members as I don't really have enough personal knowledge to make a sensible judgement.

Many thanks

Orwic

 

[renault12ts]

The V6 E320 and E280, have the same engine...except for different power and torque outputs.

 

[st4]

E280cdi and E320cdi. Both powerful, very smooth and economical.

Its a well loved on engine on here by many, but not by me. There are some well documented issues with the engine relating to the motor that controls the swirl flap mechanism, manifolds and engine bearings.

The gearbox is loved by many, but not by me, and I've driven a few 7g cars and many 5g cars to know which I think is best, make sure you have a good drive of one. Again there are well documented issues with the valvebody in a 7g car.

The 211 E class is a great car, I've had two of them and really rate them as a car. Big and comfortable but not barge like.

Personally, for you uses, a facelifted E220cdi should also be considered, its got 170bhp and performs the 0-60 in 8 secs and is capable of 140mph so its not a slouch and we don't see many issues with this car. On motorways and DCW its as hushed as the V6CDI and whilst doesn't do much better on economy, may well prove to be a less troublemsome car, and you'll get a newer/lower miles car for your money.

It depends whether you want the superlative torque and power of the larger engine, or the lesser costs of the smaller one.

 

[sinewave]

I'd probably go for the 220CDi if I spent most of my time on the Motorway etc.

Once up to speed any old diesel will do, who needs power on the Motorway?

If ya wanna have some power then you may as well go with the 320 as the fuel consumption is as near as dam it the same as the 280 but it's got a ruck more 'waft' in it!

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I've seen mixed reports on E320cdi, but having sat in an E280 cdi yesterday at a local dealer, I did like the 'look and feel'. I'd be going for a secondhand car, maybe four years old, maybe a little bit older. I would appreciate some feedback from fellow members as I don't really have enough personal knowledge to make a sensible judgement.

I've owned five W211's; one E270 CDi, two E320 IL6 CDi's and two E320 V6 CDi's, I've enjoyed every single one.

For A/B roads and motorway cruising, the E320 V6 CDi takes some beating, the torque in these things is simply addictive.

In my 57 plate E320 V6 CDi Sport I can achieve 50mpg on a run and about 35mpg round town, but these figures obviously fluctuate on what mood I'm in...

Specification-wise I'd say COMAND and heated memory seats are a must, if you like your music I can personally recommend the brilliant Harmon Kardon.

What sort of price range were you looking at?

 

[trapperjohn]

How did you find the 270 Lee. Quite a few knocking about now.

I'm guessing under powered and down on MPG.

Cheers

 

[s88]

In line 6, 320cdi, 2004 model; now 69,000 miles bought when 30,000 best car ever had, faultless, pulls like a train, handles well on B roads, very deceptive for a big car, eats motorways in silence. A bit noisy on pull away, a shame my wife commutes 4 miles in it!

Overall average is 32mpg, which is reasonable for its short trips, will do over 40mpg on the motorway, even more if you go slower.
I sit at 80mph at 2000 rpm.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

How did you find the 270 Lee. Quite a few knocking about now.

I'm guessing under powered and down on MPG.

Cheers

Quite the opposite John; 45-50mpg on a run with a good turn of pace when you need it, they're 177 bhp iirc.

If anyone asks me which Mercedes to buy with five grand, as a safe bet I'd always suggest the E270 CDi, I had it for one year and it cost me absolutely nothing other than diesel, tax and insurance.

Brilliant car and it was my first ever Mercedes, so it'll always have a special place in my heart...

 

[D-18]

Plenty good advice given so far and I'd not disagree with it.

I had an E220 before buying my present E280 and for motorway use it was fine. I didn't like the E220 diesel clatter pulling away or at low speed, but once up to cruising speed it was a pretty quiet machine. The V6's give you more refinement with little in the way of a fuel penalty over the four pot, but maintenance costs are likely to be higher with the V6.

I thought the E220 was perfectly adequate in the performance stakes for real world motoring. The V6's do add a fair bit more of a shove which make them more relaxing to drive I think. A well sorted 7G 'box can provide lovely smooth changes, but they seem to be far more variable in nature than the 5G in the E220.

Try to get a drive in an E220 and a 280/320, it's really the only way to decide. I'd have the V6 every time as I think it suits the character of the car more than the 4 cylinder.