W212 pre-facelift or facelift

[Ian fozzy]

Hi all,
I am in the market for a used E Class. Finances are restricted and I have discovered my budget can get me a low mileage (under 35k) pre-facelift a high mileage (85k+) facelift model. I intend keeping the car for several years, Which would be the best option??

Regards

Ian

 

[Bluegnomes]

It depends on how much you like the looks of the facelift vs pre-facelift. The engines/suspension/ICE-command in late pre-facelifts is pretty much identify to post facelift. It's form not function that differentiates them!

Edit - personally I'd go for the lower mileage car!

 

[Ash]

As Bluegnomes says, late pre facelift a good option. The very early 212s has a 5 speed box in the 2.1 and a lower output/worse emissions in the 3l. Worth checking the numbers so you avoid. Late pre facelift, good history and toys sounds like best value. Ash

 

[HB]

I bought my wife a late pre facelift. It's a brilliant car.Ours was a tad more expensive with only 25k on the clock from a main dealer but, I'm very impressed with the build quality and it is very refined.

Buy the best you can at the the budget you've set yourself. The V6 diesel is a peach if you can get one.

 

[such01]

Another consideration is whether you will drive into major cities, with the new pollution tax set for Euro 5 vehicles and below.

The facelift W212 bluetec is Euro 6 so is exempt currently.

 

[Londonscottish]

Another consideration is whether you will drive into major cities, with the new pollution tax set for Euro 5 vehicles and below.

The facelift W212 bluetec is Euro 6 so is exempt currently.

Or get a 350 CGI. Petrols get away with being Euro 5.

 

[Londonscottish]

FWIW I've got a 2010 212 stuffed with toys all of which work perfectly bar one of the seat cooling fans.

It's a great place to sit and at 55k it still drives like new.

I prefer the front end styling of the facelift but wouldn't rule out a low mileage pre-facelift.

My logic is that if I do 7k a year in five year's time mine will only just be hitting 100k.

In reality a change of job means that I might well average less than that which is a bonus.

 

[ph47mf]

Personally I think the facelift version looks a lot better, a bit more aggressive and reliability so far has been perfect for me. However if budget doesn't allow, there's nothing wrong with the pre-facelift. Push for the 350 if possible.

 

[benzimar]

I just bought a pre facelift 350 cdi ,its on a 10 plate and I also had the option of getting an early face lift .My budget was 13k . I could have went for a 220 on the facelift but opted instead for the early 350 and all I can say is what a car smooth quiet and powerful . I agree with some of the posts on here with regards to the look. I much prefer the preface and with just 36k on the clock I am more than happy.

 

[Teflonso]

Pre-facelift was hideous with those boz-eyed twin headlamps and the gun sight on the bonnet. If you really must have one, look really hard to find one in dog poop brown metallic. You might as well go the whole hog.

On a more serious point, some of the pre-facelift four pot engines had problems with fuel injectors, so research carefully before you buy.


.

 

[Bluegnomes]

To the OP - as you can see aesthetics is the only real difference between the pre and post facelift! Then it's down to your own taste.

I probably should have offered by pre-face lift 350cdi estate on here, but it's going for trade in when my 213 is finally delivered.

 

[Londonscottish]

Pre-facelift was hideous with those boz-eyed twin headlamps and the gun sight on the bonnet.
.

After two generations and two facelifts I personally thing the facelift 212 is the first E (since the 210) to look really good from the front AND the back.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Pre-facelift was hideous with those boz-eyed twin headlamps and the gun sight on the bonnet. If you really must have one, look really hard to find one in dog poop brown metallic. You might as well go the whole hog.

Your post gave me my biggest laugh of my day!

(And its called Cuprite Brown)

 

[Deleted member 11979]

We've run our pre face lift 2012 e250 cdi convertible from 24k miles to about 84k miles over the last 3 years.

All in all it's been a great car with only a couple of minor niggles fixed under warranty

Economy has been 46.5 mpg over that time

I think Mercedes are making proper cars again

 

[MercedesDriver]

Maybe still early to have a proper car review after only two months of ownership and 1900 miles but I haven't found any faults or heard any funny noise from our 250 cdi pre-facelift estate. As it is MY2010 April it should be clear of Delphi injector issue.