W211 E200 buying advice please

[Atominist]

Hi, I am thinking of getting a E200 W211 soon, can someone answer a few questions for me please:

1. Was Airmatic an option, or do all W211's have it? Is it worth having?

2. I've seen some Merc DVD/Sat Nav NTG's on eBay, varying prices, mostly from eastern europe. Do they have a built in amp, will I need to get a loom/adapter to replace a standard headunit, again worth having?

3. Any other general advice when buying a W211, any thing to look out for?

Thanks.

 

[Londonscottish]

Hi, I am thinking of getting a E200 W211 soon, can someone answer a few questions for me please:

1. Was Airmatic an option, or do all W211's have it? Is it worth having?

It was an option on all but the 500's and AMG's. Personally, I love it. Sport II is somehow firmer yet more compliant than my old C43. Comfort is more like a W124. There are two downsides; it get caught out by short sharp shocks like expansion joints and if it goes wrong it can cost a lot. For me it's utterly fantastic and one of the key reasons for getting a 500. I looked at other variants but only very very rarely saw Air.

I've seen some Merc DVD/Sat Nav NTG's on eBay, varying prices, mostly from eastern europe. Do they have a built in amp, will I need to get a loom/adapter to replace a standard headunit, again worth having?

Retro fits are complicated and expensive if you buy the wrong stuff - you need to talk to Comand Online Ltd

Any other general advice when buying a W211, any thing to look out for?

Thanks.

Do a search - lots of threads

 

[kwakdonut]

Try and buy a facelift model as no issues with Valeo radiator, less problems with spurious electronic gremlins.

Ensure EVERYTHING electric works.

Panorama roof not to everyones liking (I like mine!) but makes the car more desirable when you come to sell.

Springs (rear mostly) can break. Track rods wear out.

The 200 is a weedy engine for a car that weighs 1.75 tons! Depends how you use it of course.

 

[Londonscottish]

I started our looking at 320 petrols, then looked in to diesels before settling for the V8. They're all great cars - good luck.


http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/85814-why-should-i-not-buy-211-320-petrol.html

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/86866-i-test-drove-s211-e280-loved.html


http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/87600-89-000-mile-w211-looking-advice.html

 

[Londonscottish]

Panorama roof not to everyones liking (I like mine!) but makes the car more desirable when you come to sell.
.

I can only speak as a passenger - from the back seat the pano roof is quite special.

 

[corned]

The 200 is a weedy engine for a car that weighs 1.75 tons! Depends how you use it of course.

IIRC, the ROI has some pretty hefty VED fees for larger engines, so the smaller engine is something which has to be seriously considered from a financial viewpoint.

 

[kwakdonut]

I can only speak as a passenger - from the back seat the pano roof is quite special.

Totally agree. Think the underlying problem is that (some) of them have a tendency to 'rattle' and annoy the owner! Mine gives me no problems - just needs the occasional squirt of lube along the runner area to keep it smooth.

 

[kwakdonut]

IIRC, the ROI has some pretty hefty VED fees for larger engines, so the smaller engine is something which has to be seriously considered from a financial viewpoint.

Oh yes, understand that - personally would go for the 220 as a start point but as you've said, the OP may well be looking at the hideous amount of money they charge in road tax.

 

[shorty]

My 200k has Airmatic , its a great feature although can be costly when it goes wrong .
As regards the Comand head units , there several types , the early types has a seperate amp , and the later types are intergated . There retro fitable , ive done so many times .
As said already ifthe car is 03 and an auto check of a valeo rad and budget to change it .
If the car your looking at has a manual box dont buy it , there impossable to sell
MPG wise expect around 28mpg with mixed driving .

 

[Atominist]

Thanks guys, yes road tax here is crazy. €550 for a E200 (1.8L) , I would love an 560 SEC but tax would be €1566 a year .

 

[kwakdonut]

Ouch