Time to replace my trusted old A6 2.4 TD.

[Old_man]

Hi all,

Time to replace my trusted old A6 2.4 TD.

Usually I would dig into my savings and get a nice second-hand car for @ £15.000.

Having been diagnosed with Cancer, I would rather wait spending such amounts of money until the outcome of my condition is a little clearer.

Had a look on Autotrader and found some 380 offers for the E-Class Mercedes all of the 2003-2006 model years, all within 100 miles from home.

With that many cars about, the prices are rock-bottom it looks like.

I found a 2004 320 CDI estate with 129.000 miles on the clock, car looks immaculate with all gimmicks and service history.

Only problem is that it shows a “Brake Problem” on the speedo.

With an asking price of £2800, I am quite happy to spend another £1000 to fix the issue.

Like I said otherwise, the car looks like new.

What are the usual issues with this model of car, 270 CDI/320 CDI?

What to look out for?

I know my Audis quite well and re-cutting my Injector seats as example are not a big issue, even that it takes me some time these days.

With the Mercedes, I don’t know much about.

Only thing I have to go by is my Son’s Mercedes, a 1998 E300 Turbo diesel he bought for £750 with 340.000 miles on the clock.

He hammered that poor old car for 2 years, only buying the cheapest Lidl oil but the car never set a foot wrong. :bannana:

Any buying advice is much appreciated

Mike

 

[John]

2002 > 2006 W211s have big two potential issues besides the engine (and my understanding is early diesels can be problematic compared to petrol).

One is Airmatic if you buy a car with it. This can involve replacement of struts and pumps.

The other is SBC, which was binned on 2006 facelift W211s onwards. This is a great braking system but budget in a £1000 for replacement of the pump should it be required.

Other than that, they can suffer from dopey electric problems and are quite troublesome should the voltage not be high enough.

Other than that - great cars if you find a good one.

If you can reach a 2006 facelift version, I understand these are better built and more reliable although that is anecdotal of course.

Good luck with your treatment.

 

[Old_man]

Thanks for that John

Thanks for that John,
I had read that 2006 and newer had issues with the Timing chain, they can snap on the 2.8 /3.0 diesels?
£1000 or even £2000 for any repairs, is not that big an issue if I end up with a minter.
My (perhaps false) logic is, if I replaced the something like the SBC at the beginning, I should never have to deal with it again.
If I spend the same money on an apparently newer/better car, I could end up in the same position in 6 months’ time?
What it says on the number plate is not relevant to me, 03, 04 plate I don’t care.
I like the shape of the car, the equipment looks good too.
Air suspension, I can live without.
It’s a Mercedes and the ride quality will be more than adequate even with standard suspension, one would think.
So it’s just the case of finding the right one and making it as Bulletproof as possible.
If that makes any sense
Thx again
Kind regards
Mike

 

[StuartK]

Personally in that age/price range I would go petrol.

2003 and the surrounding years were not MB finest years.

 

[John]

I'm not really up on diesel W211 faults to be honest - are you definite on a diesel btw?

In terms of plates - reliability of post 2006 cars improved with the facelift.

I hear what you are saying about buying a car, and then 6 months down the line being in the same boat with a 6 month newer car - but you really cannot compare cars on age so much as mileage, condition and history at this stage of the life of the car. SBC expires with number of presses, which can be reset if the pump is OK, but you avoid this with a post 06 car.

As you no doubt know, it's a lottery whatever you do but with an 06 onwards, you would hopefully have a better chance of finding a more reliable car.

Saying that, there are plenty of examples of older W211s being reliable.

I would try to find a loved one and take it from there.

I would argue if you are going to spend £3k/£4k on a car, I'd add some of the contingency in to find an 06 onwards personally.

 

[rockits]

I have a nice S211 2003 E240 Estate 7 seater that may possibly be up for sale at some point. Only 79k & 2 previous owners & came from Olly (PCS) with 6 months warranty when I bought it.

 

[abecketts]

A late model w210 is not a bad bet as long as it is free of rust. Our 2003 320cdi Estate is probably going to be available.