What were the best years for the C&E class

[evo58]

Probably now looking for a C-E class estate 98-99 ,money to spend £2500-3,000.
What were the best years based on this price.
What engine size
Still not sure whether to go for petrol/diesel
But he car must be good.
Any ideas

 

[TonyVianoAmbiente]

Best years for the E Class estate were 1993-1996 ...

Yes, I'm biased, but from reading widely online (including this excellent forum) I get the strong impression that the 1996- W210 E Class was nowhere near as well made as the 1993-1996 W124 E Class.

 

[gbjeppm]

For the W210 E class it will be a pre facelift at that year, facelift was in 2000 (you can tell by the indicators in the mirrors and the multi function steering wheel).

Mechanically they are pretty solid, biggest worry is rust, which you need to check thoroughly, lots of people are put off by it, but there are plenty of good cars out there nevertheless.

As for engines it depends what you want really, if you don't do many miles you can pick up the V6 320 and the V8 430 for bargain money, and they tend to have more toys. I don't think the 240 is much more economical than the 320.

If you want a diesel you are in 300D territory for this year, and expect to pay quite a bit more.

A bit more reading for you which may help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W210

Enjoy the hunt.

 

[Dieselman]

Best years for the E Class estate were 1993-1996 ...

Yes, I'm biased, but from reading widely online (including this excellent forum) I get the strong impression that the 1996- W210 E Class was nowhere near as well made as the 1993-1996 W124 E Class.

Maybe, but only because that was the first year shakedown, but again maybe not. There is nothing wrong with a W210 other than the paintwork and that fault applies to W124 post 1995 as well.

The Op is looking for a late '90's car. It depends on how much space you need. A late W202 C class is a good car but an older design, a W210 E class is also a good car, more modern and larger but has some paintwork and corrosion issues.

Other than rust there is nothing wrong with a W210 car.

 

[evo58]

For the W210 E class it will be a pre facelift at that year, facelift was in 2000 (you can tell by the indicators in the mirrors and the multi function steering wheel).

Mechanically they are pretty solid, biggest worry is rust, which you need to check thoroughly, lots of people are put off by it, but there are plenty of good cars out there nevertheless.

As for engines it depends what you want really, if you don't do many miles you can pick up the V6 320 and the V8 430 for bargain money, and they tend to have more toys. I don't think the 240 is much more economical than the 320.

If you want a diesel you are in 300D territory for this year, and expect to pay quite a bit more.

A bit more reading for you which may help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W210

Enjoy the hunt.

Many thanks
You are right more reading is needed i need to get my head round the W prefix and consequent numbers,then decide C or E then disel or petrol then what spec to go for.
Very impressed with thew friendly replies
Many thanks.
As i dont have a car as yet threads may appear diverse at the moment while i decide

 

[jaymanek]

For that money I would go for a nice C class as you will get a lot more trouble free motoring for your cash... For under 4K you will only get a rusty e class..

 

[evo58]

The money i specified may well go up as i do not want to be limited to such an extent,but the car has to be right for me.
As i may have stated it is going to be an estate,never owned one before but will suit my future lifestyle

 

[dchester]

For what it's worth, I bought a 99 C240 estate for £3750 a couple of months back, it's not perfect (lil bits of rust here and there) and it has needed a few things doing to it, but it's a damn nice car for the money.

All the E-classes I saw when I was looking around for similar money were in a fair state, like Jay said.

I guess in part it depends how much space you need/what toys you want.

D.