Thinking of buying E Class estate; advice welcomed.

[Organist]

We’re looking to buy a replacement estate for our current Octavia. Trouble is we do quite a high mileage (we have a holiday place about half way down France). I’ve never been into buying new or even nearly new, and have usually bought cars with about 60k miles, finally changing with about 160+k. This has worked well over the years and I’ve never been too unlucky with the inevitable bills buying a slightly older car throws up (apart from the turbo on a Friday afternoon Previa we had).

Accordingly, I’ve joined this forum as I think the inherent quality (?) of MB cars can make for potential starship mileages. Hopefully I’m not kidding myself.

A few basic requirements:

• Needs to be economical and diesel (much of our annual mileage is in France, so 45mpg or better on a run would be nice)
• Must accommodate 5 in comfort (part of the reason the Octavia, though very capable, must go as its seats aren’t the most comfortable)
• Between 20 and 30k miles a year
• Keep it for 5 years ideally
• No need for mega-speed/power, I'm not interested. Just need an excellent car that will sit at 80mph all day without fuss

My current thinking is a very late W211 as they’re just so darned pretty! I’m wondering if there would be any benefit to seeking out a 6 cylinder owing to the mileage – or is that unnecessary expense all round?

Anyway, I’d be grateful for advice/experience of long term Merc owners.

…or should I get a Volvo?!

Many thanks,

Nic.

 

[merc85]

I had a s211 e320 cdi, What a awesome car it was, I did Hoek v Holland to Austria in 9hrs 27mins that was 660 miles and still had fuel left, 45mpg was easy as was cruising at 100mph plus on the Autobahn where permitted Stunning comfortable car.

Mine was a straight 6 and mapped on a 2003. never gave me any trouble.

 

[st13phil]

S211 or S212 E220CDI.

Pick one with an appropriate spec and it will be a comfortable long-distance car that fits the bill. Personally I'd go for the S212.

 

[Dryce]

If you're not bothered by the need for outright speed and power then a late E220 diesel is respectable (the early W211 E220s were less powerful).

There are three suspenision options (four if you include air suspension). The Classic and Elegance models had a slightly softer suspension while the Avant Garde and Sport weer firmer. I had an Avant Garde and I though it was good balance - but personal tastes may vary.

Late models don't have SBC (after 2006 facelift).

Watch for the gearbox - the 7G was introduced mid way through the W211's life. Some people prefer the older 5 speed box to the early 7G.

Boot and bonnet are aluminium on the saloon.

Springs decay - rear springs can go unnoticed - fronts tend to completely collapse overnight - say 5 years / 50 to 60K. Any knocking or squeaking at the front and it may need new balljoints or bushes.

Exhaust brackets can corrode (may be welded). ISTR that rear speed sensors are integrated into the wheel hubs - a good independent will know where to get them sorted though it may take a few days turnaround.

 

[jpwilliams]

We’re looking to buy a replacement estate for our current Octavia. Trouble is we do quite a high mileage (we have a holiday place about half way down France). I’ve never been into buying new or even nearly new, and have usually bought cars with about 60k miles, finally changing with about 160+k. This has worked well over the years and I’ve never been too unlucky with the inevitable bills buying a slightly older car throws up (apart from the turbo on a Friday afternoon Previa we had).

Accordingly, I’ve joined this forum as I think the inherent quality (?) of MB cars can make for potential starship mileages. Hopefully I’m not kidding myself.

A few basic requirements:

• Needs to be economical and diesel (much of our annual mileage is in France, so 45mpg or better on a run would be nice)
• Must accommodate 5 in comfort (part of the reason the Octavia, though very capable, must go as its seats aren’t the most comfortable)
• Between 20 and 30k miles a year
• Keep it for 5 years ideally
• No need for mega-speed/power, I'm not interested. Just need an excellent car that will sit at 80mph all day without fuss

My current thinking is a very late W211 as they’re just so darned pretty! I’m wondering if there would be any benefit to seeking out a 6 cylinder owing to the mileage – or is that unnecessary expense all round?

Anyway, I’d be grateful for advice/experience of long term Merc owners.

…or should I get a Volvo?!

Many thanks,

Nic.

I think that a late E220 cdi auto estate would be ideal.

I bought a late W210 E 220 cdi auto estate with 60,000 mile on the clock.IT IS NOW ON 212,000 miles having taken me to and from Spain twice in each of the last eleven years. It always returns full to the top with wine and never ever fails to return less than 50 mpg each trip.
Good hunting.

Regards
John

 

[Organist]

Thanks so much all. Any other things to look out for? I'm tending towards a mint very late 211. Just got to find one now!

BTW: there's one with a manual box I've seen. I'm assuming manual is a no-no.

 

[jpwilliams]

Thanks so much all. Any other things to look out for? I'm tending towards a mint very late 211. Just got to find one now!

BTW: there's one with a manual box I've seen. I'm assuming manual is a no-no.

It would certainly be a no no for me Nic.
A late 211 would be my choice too if I were to change.

Regards
John

 

[StuartK]

E350CDI estate - Perfection

Or if you actually like driving in the slightest an E500 or E63.

 

[StuartK]

Thanks so much all. Any other things to look out for? I'm tending towards a mint very late 211. Just got to find one now!

BTW: there's one with a manual box I've seen. I'm assuming manual is a no-no.

Buy a manual Merc is financial suicide. You will never be able to sell it unless you take it to Spain and fit a meter.

 

[Headhurts]

I have a 2016 E350 (V6 Diesel) these are superb engines and do great mpg when cruising.

I was achieving high 40's in France this year.

That said the E Class range is great for cruising and doing the sort of driving you talk of.

I do not know the W211 range from personal knowledge so cannot advise I am afraid.

Good luck on your search.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[zipdip]

Well if I needed a big estate for eating the miles it would not be a E class,I would pick something bigger,more reliable and giving better MPG,sorry folks the Ford Mondeo Titanium estate is the car to buy,a nearly new one say 2015 for £16,000 is a absolute bargain and the parts are cheap as chips

 

[Tim203]

• Must accommodate 5 in comfort (part of the reason the Octavia, though very capable, must go as its seats aren’t the most comfortable) •

Despite all the good things said about these cars no one has answered the 'seat 5 in comfort bit'. I have yet to see any German car that is comfortable for the middle passenger at the back. Same goes for Jaguar. Why they don't just say they are an occasional 5th seater I don't know. The transmission tunnels make you bandy legged and knock kneed after just a few miles. There is often little mentioned about this in road tests. I go with my family to Germany every year to see my wife's parents. It's 600 miles each way. A day in the car. My children were born doing long trips since we lived near Munich. I ended up with an old S203 as it was so much more comfortable in the back than a 3 series or A4 and had more room. I have 2 children though and if we were 5 I'd be looking for something without a transmission tunnel ( if they exist!) or a third row or a six seater car.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Well if I needed a big estate for eating the miles it would not be a E class,I would pick something bigger,more reliable and giving better MPG,sorry folks the Ford Mondeo Titanium estate is the car to buy,a nearly new one say 2015 for £16,000 is a absolute bargain and the parts are cheap as chips

The S211 E220 CDI is bigger than a Mondeo estate, more reliable, far more comfortable and will do 60mpg.

 

[Lennox]

No no no!!!!!

Bmw 520d!!! [emoji1303][emoji1303][emoji1303][emoji12][emoji12]

But if it must be a Merc yes the w211 in my view is very pretty especially silver in sport spec with the black pano roof. Though for £16000 you are in w212 territory.

The Mondeo is an interesting option, great car, great spec but it's like comparing a PC world laptop to a MacBook. They do the same thing, but one has kudos, will retain its value better and makes you feel special. The others a Ford.

If you really want a good ford with all the space and is built more like a German get an Smax. We nearly bought one as a family waggon, superb load lugger, great to drive but just wasn't for us.

 

[Abcan]

I bought a 62 plate S212 250 6 months ago and I have just got back from a 2 week holiday in France. In my opinion the car was perfect. The boot swallowed all the stuff needed for a 6 and 1 year old and I could still see out of the back window. I averaged 49mpg from Cardiff to the Vendee driving at the speed limit. I couldn't fault it. I agree with the above regarding a Mondeo, I have one on a regular basis as a hire car for work and they're good cars but find them very boring. The boot is no where near as big as the S212.

 

[Organist]

Buy a manual Merc is financial suicide. You will never be able to sell it unless you take it to Spain and fit a meter.

...might be a new career option...not.

There's a gorgeous 211 in Hampshire which looks perfect - 66k and obviously led a nice life...but manual! Such a shame.

 

[Tim203]

Buy a manual Merc is financial suicide. You will never be able to sell it unless you take it to Spain and fit a meter.

Why is that Stu? Is it residual value or reliability .

 

[190]

The issue must be that a manual MB will have a very limited market so will be much harder to sell.

For those that keep a car long term there must come a point in time when there is no financial disadvantage. A late model manual MB will cost at least £1000 less than an auto so once the car is 10 + years old and worth only a couple of thousand then surely there can be nothing in it.

At one time reliability would have been in favour of the manual as an auto box fault could easily write off an old car. Dual mass flywheels in manual cars has changed that to some extent.

 

[Organist]

Dual mass flywheels in manual cars has changed that to some extent.

Yes, this is a problem with the VW stable for sure. Current Octavia was sought for the DSG auto which is very good so far.

 

[Mactech]

I agree that a late model 211 sounds ideal for the task!
I had new ones in 2006 and 2007 and they were wonderful mile munchers.
The E220 would run 50 mpg with ease, but did sound a bit like a taxi. It was replaced by a E280 which was not quite so economical (45 to 47mpg) but was a whole different league in terms of refinement. It just felt a lot more relaxed way to travel
In between cars 18 months ago I bought 2007 C180k estate with 100k miles on for peanuts. It is now up to 121k miles and it has cost almost zero to run or in depreciation....so it is still with me. I'm only doing national journeys now, but if I was going international, an E280 or E320 of a similar age would be top of my list.