IanT
Active Member
W210 pre or post facelift?
I've got an adequate pile of money burning a hole now I've sold my old car.
I'm pretty settled on a W210 as the replacement, having owned a 2001 E220CDI Avantgarde about three years ago and a C250 diesel a few years before that.
This time I'd like some more refinement, but don't want to get into E500 territory on fuel consumption (despite the lovely noise a V8 makes). That leaves me considering a 320 CDI in facelift form or the predecessor engine (300 DT), or perhaps one of the petrol V6s. My driving style probably suits a big diesel, I prefer big torque at low revs in general.
The E220 took an age to get warm, as did my Mk4 Astra (it burned so little fuel that you could leave it idling for an hour and it wouldn't get 'properly' warm), so I'd like to get away from that and have better winter mornings.
IIRC, the main changes in the facelift as of late 1999 were:
What I'm less clear on is when the mechanical upgrades were made throughout the life of the W210. IIRC the gearboxes were changed at some point, for example.
So, what are the pros and cons? On the face of it, they're all affordable now and should be great value. Which make the better car to own and which is the easiest to maintain myself, should I continue with the DIY?
Ian.
I've got an adequate pile of money burning a hole now I've sold my old car.
I'm pretty settled on a W210 as the replacement, having owned a 2001 E220CDI Avantgarde about three years ago and a C250 diesel a few years before that.
This time I'd like some more refinement, but don't want to get into E500 territory on fuel consumption (despite the lovely noise a V8 makes). That leaves me considering a 320 CDI in facelift form or the predecessor engine (300 DT), or perhaps one of the petrol V6s. My driving style probably suits a big diesel, I prefer big torque at low revs in general.
The E220 took an age to get warm, as did my Mk4 Astra (it burned so little fuel that you could leave it idling for an hour and it wouldn't get 'properly' warm), so I'd like to get away from that and have better winter mornings.
IIRC, the main changes in the facelift as of late 1999 were:
- revised bumpers
- new door mirrors with indicator repeaters
- revised instruments with fuel computer etc
- steering wheel control of radio, fuel computer etc
What I'm less clear on is when the mechanical upgrades were made throughout the life of the W210. IIRC the gearboxes were changed at some point, for example.
So, what are the pros and cons? On the face of it, they're all affordable now and should be great value. Which make the better car to own and which is the easiest to maintain myself, should I continue with the DIY?
Ian.
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