To buy or not to buy

[skinflint]

I have an audi a6 and in 3.5 years and 60,000 miles it has given no trouble save for 2 cv gaitors. No rust, no break downs.
For some reason i'm drawn to a w210 estate and having viewed several, they all seem to some extent to be affected by rust.

Do they all suffer or am i just looking in the wrong place?

Are they reliable?

Those who own one, would they buy another?

I've owned 2 w124s and booth were first class. The w210 s seem less sturdy.

Can you advise

Thanks

 

[Piff]

Also had A6 for 3.5 years & no trouble other than regular services, tyres & a brake light switch.
W210's are mixed - either troubled by rust or OK. I bought one - a beautiful & well equipped car, 320CDi, but despite main dealer promises they were incapable of dealing with rust/warranty problems.
If you buy, check paperwork carefully. Insist on a full main dealer service history & check mobilo life cover is intact.
There will be an expert along soon who can advise you better than I can (my ownership was only a few weeks while the main dealer made problems worse). Check for rust around door seals, battery compartment, tailgate/boot release, high level brake light.

I great car, I would love another, but was put off by my experience with a remote, incompetent main dealer.

 

[Smiley]

The body on the 210 is "less sturdy" I think that is a fair comment. Having said that the 124s are now 13 years old at least and they will also be showing their age now. I have two w124s so am a bit biased.
The 211 seems to have improved a lot body wise and were galvanised from a certain point in time - cant remember off hand when.
The 210s are just as reliable as the 124s I think although I have never owned a 210- both are better cars to own if you have a decent local independent to give specialist advice on some repairs.
All of them are better to drive than the A6 - I had one of those a few years ago - it was very competent very comfortable, reliable but just a bit bland. Oh and the Audi main dealer parts prices

 

[Voyager]

When the 210 was in production M Benz were under a cloud and were being run by accountants - hence short-cuts during production - ie one less body dip or thinner protective coatings - hence 210s can rust - but not always.

The mobilo life covers the car for rust for 30 years but you must have a full MB service history for it to be honoured by Mercedes Benz.

I have a 2001 w210 320cdi avantgarde estate and its the best car I have owned - had it for one year - no mechanical problems and absolutely no rust - drives like new and rock solid.

between 30 and 50 mph I can out-accelerate a porsche - something to do with a turbo and heaps of torque - makes for a few surprised looks on the motorway.

Onership should be cheaper now most official mb dealers are fixing their A and B services at a lower price than current to capture customers.

if you see a good one - buy it - solid car, pretty much time-less, will see you good to 175,000 miles +

 

[Smiley]

When the 210 was in production M Benz were under a cloud and were being run by accountants - hence short-cuts during production - ie one less body dip or thinner protective coatings - hence 210s can rust - but not always.

The mobilo life covers the car for rust for 30 years but you must have a full MB service history for it to be honoured by Mercedes Benz.

I have a 2001 w210 320cdi avantgarde estate and its the best car I have owned - had it for one year - no mechanical problems and absolutely no rust - drives like new and rock solid.

between 30 and 50 mph I can out-accelerate a porsche - something to do with a turbo and heaps of torque - makes for a few surprised looks on the motorway.

Onership should be cheaper now most official mb dealers are fixing their A and B services at a lower price than current to capture customers.

if you see a good one - buy it - solid car, pretty much time-less, will see you good to 175,000 miles +

175k a walk in the park if it is well maintained!