Should I buy a Used E class or should I wait?

[ModMan]

First post on here (I think) and just after a bit of advice.

Used to have a C class company car which has since gone back and I now quite fancy an E class. Looking around I have about a 9k budget (Before insurance etc) and have a few questions.

I do 80 miles a day up and down the M1 and like to have the occasional blast into Europe doing 3000/4000 miles a journey there once, maybe twice a year. I'm quite close to www.mercland.com as I live in the Midlands and they seem to get a thumbs up from everyone on here so looked there and they have a few nice cars.

Is any particular engine better/more reliable than the other. Obviously I'll be looking at 03/04 reg for my price range. E220/E270/E320 CDI's etc? I see some mention of I think "6i" and I didn't know what it meant.

Spec wise I only really like the Avantgarde style. Are there any other optional extra's (I can't find a list of all the options) that you would recommend. Also, satnav/command etc, is it worth it? I have a cheapo TomTom that doesn't do TMC which I believe Command Version 9 does. What about parktronic, the E class will be the biggest car I have ever owned and is it easy enough to park most places.

Finally, servicing costs. Are they fixed or variable servicing like my old C class? Do you know a rough price for the minor and major services. I'm looking at anything from 55000 to 90000 miles on the clock so just wondering if anything would need doing at those milages. Also, with the new e class on the way, would it be wise holding off for a bit (I'm in no rush) as 2ndhand prices of the old shape will drop significantly?

Sorry for babbling! Daniel

 

[wemorgan]

First post on here (I think) and just after a bit of advice.

I do 80 miles a day up and down the M1 and like to have the occasional blast into Europe doing 3000/4000 miles a journey there once, maybe twice a year. I'm quite close to www.mercland.com as I live in the Midlands and they seem to get a thumbs up from everyone on here so looked there and they have a few nice cars.

Welcome!
I've had my car serviced and MoT there and can recommend Jay.

Is any particular engine better/more reliable than the other. Obviously I'll be looking at 03/04 reg for my price range. E220/E270/E320 CDI's etc? I see some mention of I think "6i" and I didn't know what it meant.

6i = in-line 6 cylinder.
All those engines should be good for 200k miles. Chose depending on your required performance and budget.

Spec wise I only really like the Avantgarde style. Are there any other optional extra's (I can't find a list of all the options) that you would recommend. Also, satnav/command etc, is it worth it? I have a cheapo TomTom that doesn't do TMC which I believe Command Version 9 does. What about parktronic, the E class will be the biggest car I have ever owned and is it easy enough to park most places.

Leather seats are seen as an essential option by many members

Satnav/Command - The benefits are that it is fully integrated into the car, so looks nice and is hard to steal. But I personally would not pay any more for it. TomTom works fine for me and has 7 digit postcode searching.

Finally, servicing costs. Are they fixed or variable servicing like my old C class? Do you know a rough price for the minor and major services. I'm looking at anything from 55000 to 90000 miles on the clock so just wondering if anything would need doing at those milages. Also, with the new e class on the way, would it be wise holding off for a bit (I'm in no rush) as 2ndhand prices of the old shape will drop significantly?

Speak to Jay at Mecland, he'll be able to quote you some prices and what they include.
Generally people speak of having the auto fluid changed every 60k miles. This is an additional cost not included in any standard service.

I don't think the new E-class will change prices of 5 year old cars. If anything, from what I'm reading the demand for second hand cars is strong, so prices are rising.

 

[st4]

I'd go for as new a car as possible, into 04 but preferably a 54 or 05, even if this means going for a 220cdi. The 220cdi is fine but no ball of fire and good on fuel. The 270cdi is nice and punchy but the 320cdi even more so, but its more juicy around town. The fact you drive in europe where speeds are higher would make me recommend a 270cdi over a 220cdi.

 

[Seamster15]

Modman, Why not call Jay at Mercland and have a chat, apparently he is quite a nice fella

Oh and a very warm welcome to you.

 

[ModMan]

All - Thank you for your suggestions. I just wanted to do a bit of homework before calling Jay and looking a complete novice.

I can't seem to find any 54/55 reg cars in my budget (to the minimum spec I want which is anything other than silver but with the lightest cream/beige/grey leather interior I can find) is there any reason I should pay 54/55 reg cars more attention? I see the geabox went from 5 to 7 speed auto at some point, is that of any decent relevance?

 

[jaymanek]

Around the 55 Reg, the engines were revised to the new V6 3.0 for the 280/320 CDI's. They also got the 7 speed auto box.

In my opinion the 3.0 units are a lot quieter and smoother.

The 7 speed box is again much smoother and gives a few more MPG.

That said, there is not a large enough difference in noise and performance that you should discount the older engines as they have proven to be very very reliable.

 

[mattc]

Jay, whats your opinion on the 7 speed box..some say its constantly hunting for gears but is that just urban myth doing the rounds?

 

[jaymanek]

No its not a myth... it does change way to often for my liking, its sort of inbetween the old honda constantly variable transmissions and normal auto boxes for how it feels...

but its so smooth you dont notice unless you gaze at the rev counter...

If I were looking at buying two identical cars, one with 5 and one with 7, I would go for 7... but if the one with 5 had something the one with 7 didnt (comand for eg) i would go for the 5!!

What im trying to say is, its a lovely smooth box, but the old one was great too!

p.s. to original poster.. if you are looking to buy, buy now... Glass's guide are reporting price increases of 5-10% every month at the moment for most MB models.

 

[Mactech]

I agree with Jay mostly about the 7 speed box. In the past few years I have had 3 Mercs with 5 speed and 3 with 7 speed. The 5 speed feels really old fashioned if you have experienced the 7 speed. I never find mine hunting for gears if you drive smoothly and the response time is quicker when you do need to go quickly. If refinement and economy are high on your priority list then for me at least, there is a strong reason to go for the more modern 'box.

 

[hawk20]

I've done quite a few miles with the seven speed box and plenty too with the 5 speed. With a diesel engine I actually prefer the 5 speed box. So much torque you really don't need all those gears. Truth is, I suppose, they are both good and have their fans.

E's built in 2003 onwards are fully galvanised for all steel panels so check the production date (not just first registration).

Over 60% of E's are some version of silver (the traditional MB colour) or some version of black.

Tealite blue looks good.

 

[Dryce]

Tealite blue looks good.

I concur on that. It would probably be my first choice of colour on the E.

 

[Dryce]

If refinement and economy are high on your priority list then for me at least, there is a strong reason to go for the more modern 'box.

I prefer a 4 speed box.

I set mine to C most of the time.

 

[jeremytaylor]

I've had both 5 and 7 speed autos with 320 diesels.

I think the 7-speed is sometimes a little too keen to change - it should rely on the engine's torque more. But I sometimes wish the 5-speed would change more often - it occassionally labours a touch too much.

The solution? I think a 6-speed box would suit me perfectly!

 

[Mactech]

I've had both 5 and 7 speed autos with 320 diesels.

I think the 7-speed is sometimes a little too keen to change - it should rely on the engine's torque more. But I sometimes wish the 5-speed would change more often - it occassionally labours a touch too much.

The solution? I think a 6-speed box would suit me perfectly!

I think these are available at you local Jaguar and BMW dealers!
Having driven the Lexus 460 8(!) speed auto, I agree that is a speed too far! It is not so much that it has so much choice, it's just it takes so long choosing

 

[jeremytaylor]

I think these are available at you local Jaguar and BMW dealers! (

Well on that basis, Mercedes should have them in, ... oh ..., about 5 years time?

 

[hawk20]

If you drive the 220 series S320cdi, with the 5 speed box, when you put your foot down it gives you the most impressive shunt in the back. Great feeling.

Then drive the 221 series 320cdi, with the seven speed box, and when you put your foot down it just wafts smoothly and effortlessly forward. Silky but not such an impressive shunt.

Both have very similar 0-62 times but the 5 speed 'feels faster' when you give it the gun.

On the engine front, the new V6 engine is magically quiet and even outside the car it sounds much more like a petrol engine than a diesel.

 

[BTB 500]

even outside the car

... or van

 

[Mr E]

I'd go for as new a car as possible, into 04 but preferably a 54 or 05, even if this means going for a 220cdi. The 220cdi is fine but no ball of fire and good on fuel. The 270cdi is nice and punchy but the 320cdi even more so, but its more juicy around town. The fact you drive in europe where speeds are higher would make me recommend a 270cdi over a 220cdi.

I do similar or higher mileage in Europe with my E220 - both saloon and estate cruise happily at 80 - 100 mph, and at a steady 80 return 50 mpg with 4 and luggage.

 

[kay7]

Followed btb500`s advices and tips and bought a Vito this january and waiting for the 2nd one to be delivered tomorrow from Bell Trucks . The 1st one is Vito 111cdi, 55reg, burgundy, 36k now and the new one is 115cdi, 57 reg, blue,16k. So far i`ve been happy with my van. If business goes well i shall buy a Sprinter this june.
Now i`m looking for an E320 57/58reg, under 25k. Done a testdrive for bmw 530d and wasn`t impressed at all. It`s sporty, yeah, but something tells me "don`t buy it" so i have to go back to MB. So e320 it is