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W163 or W220?

Mike210

Active Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2018
Messages
98
Location
UK
Car
W210 W202
I need to replace my wifes aging w210. I'm am considering a 2003 ML350 W163 with 67k and good history or an 2004 S500 W220 with 77k and good history. Both are 3k and in decent nick. I am aware of the usual pitfalls when it comes to reliability. I need the car to be safe as my child will be ferried in it so that's one of main concerns. It's my understanding the W220 is superior in that department but I stand to be corrected. Is there anything else I'd have to consider when choosing?

Cheers, M.
 
Air suspension is more prone to failure and needs to be factored into the mtc cost. V8's are going to drink more fuel.
Otherwise, the S class is a fine car.
 
Air suspension is more prone to failure and needs to be factored into the mtc cost. V8's are going to drink more fuel.
Otherwise, the S class is a fine car.
I think the 5.0 Vs the 3.7 fuel difference is academic at best, life in the 20-35mpg range is to be expected. I know the air suspension can be a killer but to be fair there are a lot of fixes for it nowadays without needing an entire overhaul. Plus at 3k I would be getting a tonne of car for money in both instances.
 
I think the 5.0 Vs the 3.7 fuel difference is academic at best, life in the 20-35mpg range is to be expected. I know the air suspension can be a killer but to be fair there are a lot of fixes for it nowadays without needing an entire overhaul. Plus at 3k I would be getting a tonne of car for money in both instances.

Yep, unless you really need 4WD, the S class is a better choice and if you're okay with maintaining the air suspension (poorly maintained air suspension will chew up tires, so it's not just the air suspension), then you really can't beat an S class.

WRT MPG, I average 14-16mpg (US) in my S55. The best I ever got from my W210 E55 which does not have a super charger was 24mpg and that's over a long distance on fairly rural highways with the cruise turned on. I think that 35MPG might be a little too optimistic.
 
Yep, unless you really need 4WD, the S class is a better choice and if you're okay with maintaining the air suspension (poorly maintained air suspension will chew up tires, so it's not just the air suspension), then you really can't beat an S class.

WRT MPG, I average 14-16mpg (US) in my S55. The best I ever got from my W210 E55 which does not have a super charger was 24mpg and that's over a long distance on fairly rural highways with the cruise turned on. I think that 35MPG might be a little too optimistic.
I am leaning towards the S Class TBF. And the mpg is really not that bad considering my wife gets about 40mpg out of her W210 200 kompressor. She wanted something smaller and easier to park, Toyota etc, but had a neighbor of ours recently die in a car accident in his Citroen and the idea of something lesser quality is now well and truly unacceptable. Hence the push for a super safe barge.
 
I am leaning towards the S Class TBF. And the mpg is really not that bad considering my wife gets about 40mpg out of her W210 200 kompressor. She wanted something smaller and easier to park, Toyota etc, but had a neighbor of ours recently die in a car accident in his Citroen and the idea of something lesser quality is now well and truly unacceptable. Hence the push for a super safe barge.

You guys get the S320 CDI which is a fantastic motor in a fantastic body. I'm also pretty sure that the S320 does not have air suspension which is something else to consider.
 
You guys get the S320 CDI which is a fantastic motor in a fantastic body. I'm also pretty sure that the S320 does not have air suspension which is something else to consider.
Yeah we do but there is a massive push against diesel in Europe these days, some cities are banning them from city centres so although I appreciate the benefits of the cdi engine it's not viable here in the long run
 
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Yeah we do but there is a massive push against diesel in Europe these days, some cities are banning them from city centres so although I appreciate the benefits of the cdi engine it's not viable here in the long run
Oh and all W220' come with air suspension unless specced with the ABC one.
 
Remember that a 15/16 year old vehicle might not be as solid as it was when new...

Have either had the air bags replaced which most manufacturers recommend at 10 years old..

A smaller newer car may be safer...
 
N
Remember that a 15/16 year old vehicle might not be as solid as it was when new...

Have either had the air bags replaced which most manufacturers recommend at 10 years old..

A smaller newer car may be safer...
No rust or history of accidents so structural wise the cars are as strong as they left the factory in my mind. I have never heard advice from any manufacturers to replace airbags. I think they used to advise this back in the day but since they are not wear and tear items and single use features they do not require replacement. I stand to be corrected on this but I service my 27 yo W202 at an authorized Mercedes indy and they've never once mentioned it. It would also stand to reason, airbags being a safety feature and all, that the MOT test would factor this in considering you fail if your airbag light is on.
 
As a big fan of all W163s I would recommend the 220 S Class, sounds a much better fit for what you need!
 
N

No rust or history of accidents so structural wise the cars are as strong as they left the factory in my mind. I have never heard advice from any manufacturers to replace airbags. I think they used to advise this back in the day but since they are not wear and tear items and single use features they do not require replacement. I stand to be corrected on this but I service my 27 yo W202 at an authorized Mercedes indy and they've never once mentioned it. It would also stand to reason, airbags being a safety feature and all, that the MOT test would factor this in considering you fail if your airbag light is on.
Which authorised Indy??
 
Which authorised Indy??
I use Headlands MB in Downton, Wilts. Pete is your man over there, he has all the kit, he even cut me new keys for a replacement ignition barrel to match all the locks.
 
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AIRBAG FUNCTIONALITY is likely to be igniter dependant.
Autotrader - page unavailable
In terms of safety I would take a look at the Euroncap scores on side impact if concerned with passenger safety.
https://cdn.euroncap.com/media/9903/euroncap_mercedes-benz_m_class_2002_4stars.pdf
the euroncap for the M class reveal a very strong vehicle [ still part body on frame construction] but one likely to transfer fairly high passenger loading in the event of a collision with a substantial object.
Couldn't find figures for the S class [ EXEMPT BY NUMBERS PRODUCED?]but likely to be similar to the EARLY W211
https://cdn.euroncap.com/media/9901/euroncap_mercedes-benz_e_class_2002_5stars.pdf
On another tack did the W220 have SBC brakes?
 
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Might be worth also considering the W211 which as above has a great safety rating, is a generation newer, likely to be more reliable and probably about the same cost to buy.
 
Might be worth also considering the W211 which as above has a great safety rating, is a generation newer, likely to be more reliable and probably about the same cost to buy.
Yes I accept that except they are ever so slightly more expensive and there isn't a good one for sale near me.
 
Slight curveball, but how about a late w140? All the electrical gremlins were addressed in the late ones, and reliability is certainly higher then the w220's or at least the earlier w220's. Big solid safe cars.
Also, they are creeping up in value now, so you won't loose out come time to sell...
 
Slight curveball, but how about a late w140? All the electrical gremlins were addressed in the late ones, and reliability is certainly higher then the w220's or at least the earlier w220's. Big solid safe cars.
Also, they are creeping up in value now, so you won't loose out come time to sell...
No curve ball at all, W140 is my ultimate goal but for myself as a second car to my daily W202. Way too big for my wife and wouldn't want to daily it either.
 
No curve ball at all, W140 is my ultimate goal but for myself as a second car to my daily W202. Way too big for my wife and wouldn't want to daily it either.

w202 as a daily is always a good choice :)

I daily'd several w140's 10 year ago as bangers when you literally couldn't give them away, as well as stripping one as a track toy. The s320 was the favourite though, even over the 500se v8 - enough power with that lovely m104, and a genuine 35mpg when needed. Really very good cars.

But sorry, taking your thread off topic...
 

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