Started on the road to searching for a decent diesel Mercedes and having never driven one before, and thinking the E would be a wallowing barge but refined and upmarket with it, decided to test one out and see what they are like and then test a C to compare and narrow down my search by discounting one or the other. Now however, i am no closer to a decision!
To be fair, the E270CDI was scuffed on all four corners and had half leather. The wood was dark with a weird pattern and looked fake. The interior was therefore underwhelming, but i am sure there are much better combinations. The colour was Silver - not my favourite as i think only dark colours can look really glossy.
To drive it was refined with plenty of torque, smooth gearchanges and did not wallow or lean too much at all - it was an Avantgarde spec. Quite liked it actually and it did not feel as big as i thought it would. I reckon these E's need bigger alloys than the 16" standard ones as they look a bit old fashioned now.
Then drove the Midnight Blue C270 CDI - similar 75000 MILES - huge speedo!
Felt smaller, more wrapped around me as i drove (i currently drive a Focus ST so i am not used to large cars). Did not feel any faster even though it is probably lighter but engine a bit noisier- sound proofing better in an Eclass?
Handled well and felt easier to hustle, overall a bit more agile. Dark blue exterior and grey leather interior were better than the E class above, but all alloys needed refurb and it pulled to the nearside - tyre was also unevenly worn. Some slight squeaking from the nearside corner???
It seemed as if the Eclass was trying hard to be upmarket and the interior combination was off the mark, whereas the C class felt more honest, not trying to be flashy, but well made and more utilitarian - but why do they make the heater/air con controls so complicated - may prefer the later model with updated centre dash.
Dealer had changed small rad at front as it had been providing "weak aircon" - don't know if this would solve Valeo issue or not?
The E270CDI '53 reg with 74000 miles was £8500
The C270CDI '03 reg with 84000 miles was £6995
Think if i found a really good E320/270 CDI or a C270CDI in the right colour/interior combination, i would be happy with either car if it all checked out ok.
To be fair, the E270CDI was scuffed on all four corners and had half leather. The wood was dark with a weird pattern and looked fake. The interior was therefore underwhelming, but i am sure there are much better combinations. The colour was Silver - not my favourite as i think only dark colours can look really glossy.
To drive it was refined with plenty of torque, smooth gearchanges and did not wallow or lean too much at all - it was an Avantgarde spec. Quite liked it actually and it did not feel as big as i thought it would. I reckon these E's need bigger alloys than the 16" standard ones as they look a bit old fashioned now.
Then drove the Midnight Blue C270 CDI - similar 75000 MILES - huge speedo!
Felt smaller, more wrapped around me as i drove (i currently drive a Focus ST so i am not used to large cars). Did not feel any faster even though it is probably lighter but engine a bit noisier- sound proofing better in an Eclass?
Handled well and felt easier to hustle, overall a bit more agile. Dark blue exterior and grey leather interior were better than the E class above, but all alloys needed refurb and it pulled to the nearside - tyre was also unevenly worn. Some slight squeaking from the nearside corner???
It seemed as if the Eclass was trying hard to be upmarket and the interior combination was off the mark, whereas the C class felt more honest, not trying to be flashy, but well made and more utilitarian - but why do they make the heater/air con controls so complicated - may prefer the later model with updated centre dash.
Dealer had changed small rad at front as it had been providing "weak aircon" - don't know if this would solve Valeo issue or not?
The E270CDI '53 reg with 74000 miles was £8500
The C270CDI '03 reg with 84000 miles was £6995
Think if i found a really good E320/270 CDI or a C270CDI in the right colour/interior combination, i would be happy with either car if it all checked out ok.
