W211 2 weeks in

[MJH]

Just to share my thoughts about my new (new to me) E320CDI Avantgarde after 2 weeks of ownership.

Overall, it comes across as one of the most well put together motors I've had the pleasure of owning. It comes very close to my old mans 02 plate S class in terms of comfort and features but without the size and bulk.
It was collecting the S from the factory in Stuttgart 8 years ago that first got me interested in Merc's but it's took until now to actually get around to buying one.

The 320 diesel engine and autobox are fantastic, smooth changes, a wall of torque and surprising economy for the power and size of it. Very surprised how well it does go for what I viewed as an exec barge and amazingly undiesel like refinement.

Handling, hmm not bad, a little weighty in the corners, as to be expected not being a small car. In the dry it is confident enough but in this weeks damp conditions the ESP light has been merrily flickering when getting a shimmy on, it feels skitish in the damp at speed through corners like it's ready to break away at any minute. The backend also loses grip very quickly when accelerating off roundabouts for example.
Some of it's getting used to the way it handles but at the moment it doesn't inspire confidence in the wet, which for me is an unusual feeling as I have done my fair share of track time and driving days in a lot of different machinery so I am happy with how things should feel and normally can get into the groove quickly. Maybe it's just cheap rubber but until they're in need of changing they will have to do for now and I'll have to live with it.

Other than that, no real issues. I'm dreading the servicing costs, 8K until B service is due.... I've always serviced and repaired my own vehicles but with the E having a full history and being in such nice condition I'm retiscent to throw this away. But will it really make any difference on a 6yr old car come re-sale time ?

Regrets... wish I'd held out for one with comand, the standard audio 20 with CDC does it's job but integrated NAV, MP3, Blueteeth etc would have been a nice to have.

Changes I'd like to make and things to do ? not much really. Maybe I'll treat myself to some nice AMG rims next year when the tyres on the standard 16's have done their bit. I need to do some stone chip and spot repairs to the paintwork here and there but nothing that the airbrush and some rubbing compound won't sort. I've still got to get my phone upgraded to get it working reliably with the phone kit and the centre armrest top cover needs some TLC as it's bubbled where your elbow sits, so a syringe and some glue should sort that.

Overall I'm really happy, for just under 7K for a 120K 54 plater I think I had a good deal. Lets hope the love affair continues

Tax and insurance up next month is the only current pain



Mike

 

[BQF]

I'd get your front springs looked at!

 

[A210AMG]

^ Hello

My Dad collected his from Mercedes factory in 2003 and its been the longest car he has owned. His is currently on around 130K and he's almost changed it a few times but Nothing he has tried even the new E class estate that he was waiting for he thinks isn't as good.

It seems to go better and better with the miles. Don't think he has had anything major go wrong, a park sence gizmo, spring cracked, rear load cover stopped working (his is a 320Cdi Estate).

Find a good indy and the servicing should be ok? I doubt the fact you have a FBMSH against a FSH my Mercedes indy will make much differnce if any in a few more years and the cars worth say 5K? I would then go off condition anyway.

Command can be fitted but pricey, I'm looking into an option which may be possible in yours. My Wifes has the Audio 20 and you can upgrade this to a newer version of the audio 20 and then add some extra cables to get the bluetooth and ipod working with it. Should be much cheaper than command / easier and from what I read TomTom still better


Enjoy the car

 

[speedyyellow]

Thanks for that, interesting read. I'm still hunting for my ideal car at the moment but hope to make the swap in the next couple of weeks. So many options and weird specs out there at this price range. Im trying to decide between a £7k car and an £8.4k car with AMG bodykit & wheels at the moment...

 

[MJH]

Thanks for that, interesting read. I'm still hunting for my ideal car at the moment but hope to make the swap in the next couple of weeks. So many options and weird specs out there at this price range. Im trying to decide between a £7k car and an £8.4k car with AMG bodykit & wheels at the moment...

Take your time, I looked at loads over about 3 months in this price range and saw a lot of tarted up rubbish. I test drove a lovely looking 270 with the dreaded gearbox shudder which was being sold by a dealer, Boss Perfomance in Bury. When I queried it, before I'd read up on here, the dealer said "it's wheel balance m8, there are no known problems with merc auto's, put a deposit on and I'll get it sorted for you as part of the PDI" As you can guess I walked away !

For ones in the same condition as mine I looked at quite a few that were 9K-10K before I finally dropped on this one, even with the mileage being a bit more than I wanted, condition and history was what I was really interested in. I missed a 320 with 150K on the clock, 03 plate, really tidy and well maintained ex chauffer car that had spent it's life up and down the M4 into Heathrow. That sold for 5.5K ! it would have been worth a punt but I was too slow off the mark.

Good luck in your search anyway and remember all that glitters is not always gold

 

[st4]

They are brilliant cars.

I have one and noticed the same re the back end. I have cheapies on the back and its quite lively having to deal with almost 380ft/lb torque. In the dry its fine, and remarkably efficient.

Glad to hear you are enjoying the car.

 

[MJH]

They are brilliant cars.

I have one and noticed the same re the back end. I have cheapies on the back and its quite lively having to deal with almost 380ft/lb torque. In the dry its fine, and remarkably efficient.

Glad to hear you are enjoying the car.

Yeah, I've been reading about your road trip, did Monaco a couple of weeks ago

 

[The Pan Man]

MJH is that a personal plate or an 03 W211?

 

[MJH]

MJH is that a personal plate or an 03 W211?

It's an el'cheapo plate I've had for a while, the car was on a 54.

 

[Gareth]

when my rears were down in the middles the back end lost grip VERY easily, even with the width they are and the traction control on.