thinking of changing the car ?

[tony gee]

I like my W204 but I also like the W 212, I'm not a big fan of diesels but I would have one for an E class. problem is I do a lot of short trips !!!!! but I try to do a 30 mile trip at least every 2 weeks or so and give them some beans. just the 2.1 engine is enough for what I need.
what you think ?

 

[T5R+]

You will know that the W212 is a bigger car both on the inside and outside - may make a difference?

The facelift does not look as imposing from the front but rear looks nicer at night (it is the lights).

If budget allows - go for the 350. You will enjoy it so much more on the motorway.

Unsure how the DPF will last with only short trips (but my wife only covers 3K/annum in the W204 2.1 for local trips to shops and meet up with “the girls” with zero DPF issues ….,,, thank goodness). I am a massive fan of the last W204 they actually feel like a Mercedes to drive (and I can get 67MPG out of it on the rare occasion allowed to borrow it).

 

[AMGeed]

Why not buy a petrol model then?
A W212 is a nicer place to be than a W204.

An E250 petrol with an M274 turbocharged 2ltr engine would fit the bill nicely. Especially the facelifted version.

Avoid the prefacelift E250 Blue Efficiency model with the M271 engine.

 

[tony gee]

You will know that the W212 is a bigger car both on the inside and outside - may make a difference?

The facelift does not look as imposing from the front but rear looks nicer at night (it is the lights).

If budget allows - go for the 350. You will enjoy it so much more on the motorway.

Unsure how the DPF will last with only short trips (but my wife only covers 3K/annum in the W204 2.1 for local trips to shops and meet up with “the girls” with zero DPF issues ….,,, thank goodness). I am a massive fan of the last W204 they actually feel like a Mercedes to drive (and I can get 67MPG out of it on the rare occasion allowed to borrow it).

yeah the bigger size is not an issue, not bothered about engine size, prefer the smaller one to keep costs down, i tend to drive like an old man in my cars with the occasional thrash now and then !!!! ive got my bikes for the buzz as I said i like to give the cars a good thrash just to blow the cobwebs out
my W204 sport is a petrol, which had a good run yesterday

 

[tony gee]

Why not buy a petrol model then?
A W212 is a nicer place to be than a W204.

An E250 petrol with an M274 turbocharged 2ltr engine would fit the bill nicely. Especially the facelifted version.

Avoid the prefacelift E250 Blue Efficiency model with the M271 engine.

their isn't any petrols that ive found in my price range, and i guess they will be a bit thirsty ? the diesel gets better mileage and is a bit cheaper to tax.

 

[AMGeed]

their isn't any petrols that ive found in my price range, and i guess they will be a bit thirsty ? the diesel gets better mileage and is a bit cheaper to tax.

Unless you intend driving 10k + miles pa, a diesel wouldn't be my choice, but if its all you can get within your budget, so be it.
Just make sure its not an adblue version. Nothing but problems according to the posts on this forum.

 

[350cls]

I've not long purchased a e250 cdi. I have the estate, its a great little engine. I've come from the 648 inline 6 engine. Ok it doesn't give the real shove in the back the 648 does or does it sound as nice. But once you get up to speed the torque takes control and it will happerly sit at high speeds no problem. Mine is a 2010 registration so I have the old robust 5 speed box. It does feel more responsive in S mode but for everyday town driving E mode is fantastic. I'm really happy with mine. It gives great mpg, and like you mentioned the road tax is a lower price. Mines on 16" and it really rides comfortably. Mines the SE model. The 250 puts about 200hp out just over. Not if all the 250 are the same but mine has the smaller 50 litre fuel tank. But im still not in the fuel station as much as I was with the e320.

 

[tony gee]

Unless you intend driving 10k + miles pa, a diesel wouldn't be my choice, but if its all you can get within your budget, so be it.
Just make sure its not an adblue version. Nothing but problems according to the posts on this forum.

yeah your right about getting a diesel, i always say to people if your not doing the miles then its not a good idea. the big petrols are just to thirsty plus the tax !!!! i have looked at a few with the M271 engine but they tend to be 2 door. yeah i know what you all say about the M271 but i don't have an issue with it, its an easy engine to fix over the diesels !!!!

 

[tony gee]

I've not long purchased a e250 cdi. I have the estate, its a great little engine. I've come from the 648 inline 6 engine. Ok it doesn't give the real shove in the back the 648 does or does it sound as nice. But once you get up to speed the torque takes control and it will happerly sit at high speeds no problem. Mine is a 2010 registration so I have the old robust 5 speed box. It does feel more responsive in S mode but for everyday town driving E mode is fantastic. I'm really happy with mine. It gives great mpg, and like you mentioned the road tax is a lower price. Mines on 16" and it really rides comfortably. Mines the SE model. The 250 puts about 200hp out just over. Not if all the 250 are the same but mine has the smaller 50 litre fuel tank. But im still not in the fuel station as much as I was with the e320.

do you do the miles in yours ?

 

[MrGreedy]

do you do the miles in yours ?

How many miles a year might you realistically be doing in the E class @tony gee ?

I asked because e.g. at 3k miles a year and 45mpg in the E350 CDI, that's £420 in fuel a year.

If you get e.g. the E500 petrol V8 and manage 28mpg, that's £670 a year. Only £250 more a year, and that's the E350 CDI £1000 oil cooler seals bill avoided.

I'm not suggesting you get the petrol V8, but depending on mileage, a few hundred quid a year might not be an enormous cost compared with generally running a premium German barge.

 

[350cls]

do you do the miles in yours ?

I do about 5 to 7k per year. I have another vehicle I use plus a van.

I do a lot of short trips. But I also give all the deisels I have owned a good run once or twice a fortnight. My last deisel didn't have a dpf but this one has it actually seems to Regen about every 400 miles. But will only Regen if the fuel tank is above the quarter empty level.

What sort of mileage car would you be looking at. A lot of the deisels seem to have quite a bit of mileage on. If service history stacks up and the car drives well. Cant really fault the deisels in my opinion.

 

[tony gee]

How many miles a year might you realistically be doing in the E class @tony gee ?

I asked because e.g. at 3k miles a year and 45mpg in the E350 CDI, that's £420 in fuel a year.

If you get e.g. the E500 petrol V8 and manage 28mpg, that's £670 a year. Only £250 more a year, and that's the E350 CDI £1000 oil cooler seals bill avoided.

I'm not suggesting you get the petrol V8, but depending on mileage, a few hundred quid a year might not be an enormous cost compared with generally running a premium German barge.

yeah not many, around 3000ish !!! I know its not practical getting an E class but you know when you like something you don't listen to your head theirs nothing wrong with my W204 (much) and it'll do the job just fine.

 

[tony gee]

I do about 5 to 7k per year. I have another vehicle I use plus a van.

I do a lot of short trips. But I also give all the deisels I have owned a good run once or twice a fortnight. My last deisel didn't have a dpf but this one has it actually seems to Regen about every 400 miles. But will only Regen if the fuel tank is above the quarter empty level.

What sort of mileage car would you be looking at. A lot of the deisels seem to have quite a bit of mileage on. If service history stacks up and the car drives well. Cant really fault the deisels in my opinion.

ive seen a few for around 5 - 6k with less than a 100.000miles with service history and good nick.

 

[350cls]

ive seen a few for around 5 - 6k with less than a 100.000miles with service history and good nick.

That's really good value at that mileage

 

[MrGreedy]

yeah not many, around 3000ish !!! I know its not practical getting an E class but you know when you like something you don't listen to your head theirs nothing wrong with my W204 (much) and it'll do the job just fine.

I've got a W212 E350 CDi and I love it. It's totally pampered (mechanically - must do better with the washes!).


I think with diesels on this car, you need to be realistic with use case. If it's not doing long runs, diesel might be out.
In you position, I'd be looking for an E350 petrol. Fuel consumption costs over 3k miles is nothing.
Problem with diesels is that short use scenario you mention.

However, if the 220 or whatever E CDI is £5k, and the equivalent E350 petrol is £10k, go for the diesel. That £5k difference pays for a whole enormous chunk of repairs.

 

[ALFAitalia]

ive seen a few for around 5 - 6k with less than a 100.000miles with service history and good nick.

My 97,000 mile E350 CDI 212 was rather less than that.....they are out there.....just got to keep looking and be quick when they appear.

 

[tony gee]

My 97,000 mile E350 CDI 212 was rather less than that.....they are out there.....just got to keep looking and be quick when they appear.

yep seen some at £3700 with less than 100,000miles

 

[ALFAitalia]

Thats about what I paid......
Came with a reasonable history and lots of invoices, two new and two nearly new tyres, 4 week old MOT, new rear discs/pads.....and it in Sport spec with grey leather!!! Fairly basic spec though.....but I think of that as less to go wrong!!

 

[tony gee]

Thats about what I paid......
Came with a reasonable history and lots of invoices, two new and two nearly new tyres, 4 week old MOT, new rear discs/pads.....and it in Sport spec with grey leather!!! Fairly basic spec though.....but I think of that as less to go wrong!!

View attachment 167766

what mileage did it have when you bought it ?
im looking at a 2012 E220 with just over 100,000 miles for £4500. looke very tidy.

 

[ALFAitalia]

97500 miles.