Thoughts on the E320 CDI?

[RSTurbo50]

Im looking at buying this as my workhorse for work. Im currently doing 350 miles a week and although this is an old model, i know these engines can take the mileage well. There is only part service history but I have put aside £1000 for anything that may crop up. Does anyone know this particular car or the garage? Also, what sort of things should I be looking for on one of these?

Thanks in advance.

https://www.billtonmotorslimited.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-benz-e-class-3-0-e320-cdi-sport-g-tronic-4dr-peterborough-202205246046850

 

[HB]

I have a well to do friend who does this kind of mileage every week also. He only buys cars like this with 100k ish on the clock and runs them another 100k. His theory yet to be proven wrong is that the majority of what needs fixed will have been done already to an already tough car.
That Eclass is a tremendous relaxing mile muncher with plenty of power in it. Hopefully it is in good condition for you.

 

[Smart320]

Had a 2008 211 with the V6 cdi , great car, very reliable , quiet and comfortable on long runs, remarkably light on fuel overall, would happily have another

 

[RSTurbo50]

Thanks guys,

Im also considering this:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

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The black E350 for £9450,,.....a little bit more expensive but a more modern car that will be better on juice and maybe nicer to live with everyday? This example has full mercedes history too. Really in a dilemma about what option to take as I like both,

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Im looking at buying this as my workhorse for work. Im currently doing 350 miles a week and although this is an old model, i know these engines can take the mileage well. There is only part service history but I have put aside £1000 for anything that may crop up. Does anyone know this particular car or the garage? Also, what sort of things should I be looking for on one of these?

Thanks in advance.

https://www.billtonmotorslimited.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-benz-e-class-3-0-e320-cdi-sport-g-tronic-4dr-peterborough-202205246046850

I really like that S600 they have. Eye watering mpg though - not sure i could quite live with that.

 

[mercmancdi]

Thanks guys,

Im also considering this:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

The black E350 for £9450,,.....a little bit more expensive but a more modern car that will be better on juice and maybe nicer to live with everyday? This example has full mercedes history too. Really in a dilemma about what option to take as I like both,

I m o for that type of car nice as it is it’s £1000 too expensive, I think you will find it’s still for sale next week , if the 320 is cheap enough and in good condition it might actually be better in the long run. I never found the 350 much better on fuel that would make a great difference. Especially once you buy the 350 and do 350 mls a week for another year the value will have dropped big time , so big loss.

 

[Benz17]

For me personally my previous w211 v6 facelift has great memories, being my first merc, and it being just a well all round comfortable car.

I never warmed to the shape and interior of the w212, others do feel different about it, that’s, why my replacement of the w211 was the w213.

 

[RSTurbo50]

Just paid a deposit on the E320...so excited, lets hope it drives as well as it looks

 

[Smart320]

Just paid a deposit on the E320...so excited, lets hope it drives as well as it looks

Looks a lot of car for the money, good luck

 

[RSTurbo50]

Do they all come with Xenons as standard?

 

[jdrrco]

Just paid a deposit on the E320...so excited, lets hope it drives as well as it looks

I think that's the right choice. The 212 looked fine, but not worth the extra proportionately. Also, I suspect that the 320 would be better on fuel than the 350.

 

[RSTurbo50]

I think that's the right choice. The 212 looked fine, but not worth the extra proportionately. Also, I suspect that the 320 would be better on fuel than the 350.

cheers mate. Yep i agree i think the E350 was probably about a grand overpriced and reliability wise the E320 (facelift model) seems to be bulletproof

 

[Smiley]

Whilst the engine is bulletproof there are a few things on these cars that can drain your wallet quite quickly if you suffer multiple problems
1. oil cooler seals (pita job, labour intensive)
2. rusty brake pipes, these are 1970s quality and at this age of car they are certain to need changing if not already done
3. turbo/actuator/inlet port motor problems
4. duo valve on the heater system fails and is a pita to get to on rhd cars
5. front springs, balljoints, engine mounts - heavy engine takes its toll I guess
6. corrosion around the rear arches - and in some cases the rear subframe (although that is more the c class)
Then you have all of the usual 10+ yr old 100k miler things to look at - brakes, a/c etc etc
If I were buying one of these I would pay for an inspection by an indi who knows what to look for - it could save you a fortune.
re the dealer the warranty terms would be a red flag warning for me - offering a 3 month warranty tells me that they are chancers - the dealer is responsible for faults arising within 6 months of purchase.
I would have a look to see if Mercland in Nuneaton has anything suitable - you will get proper a properly inspected and sorted car with a warranty that actually covers something.

I

 

[merc estate]

I had an e320 for 8 years what a brilliant car very good on fuel, it was like new when i sold it, a great car i would buy mine back in a heartbeat.
The rule i go by is buy the best you can get, then you sell the best anyone can get.

 

[fabes]

That 320 looks fantastic.

With your fettle fund, you can address any mechanicals and if it's just a tool for 1,400 miles a month, it will do what the newer car would have, for thousands less.

For when the mileage stops, you've less money sat on the drive, you might be able to opt to and justify keeping it whereas with the other you'd have been into it for that much more.
Selling either / any car with 'well over" 100k on it is and will be only getting trickier....

 

[RSTurbo50]

Is there anyway online if I input the chassis number I can pull off any service history it may have had from Mercedes’?

 

[DSM10000]

Im looking at buying this as my workhorse for work. Im currently doing 350 miles a week and although this is an old model, i know these engines can take the mileage well. There is only part service history but I have put aside £1000 for anything that may crop up. Does anyone know this particular car or the garage? Also, what sort of things should I be looking for on one of these?

Thanks in advance.

https://www.billtonmotorslimited.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-benz-e-class-3-0-e320-cdi-sport-g-tronic-4dr-peterborough-202205246046850

Quite a high price considering the age of the car.

 

[Darrell]

The 320 looks very nice.
Round my way next year it’s going to cost £12.50 a day to drive one of these to the shops.

 

[RSTurbo50]

Quite a high price considering the age of the car.

Really? I think it’s pretty reasonable.

 

[DSM10000]

Really? I think it’s pretty reasonable.

Prices have clearly changed

I bought an almost identical 2008 model privately 4 years ago for £5,500

When was its last transmission fluid change?
The most likely items that will need replacing in the next couple of years will be engine mounts and possibly the Turbocharger or actuator.

Actuators are no longer available from MB, they only sell them with the Turbocharger for around £1800.

Other companies sell the Garret Turbocharger for around £450 if needed

I am not trying to put you off, I think that they are very good cars for commuting.

Fuel consumption is reasonable considering the size and performance but I have had an average of 35.8mog.

Motorway work at 75mph with cruise generally gives 42 mpg on a brim to brim measure.