Why should I not buy a 211 320 Petrol?

[Londonscottish]

Hi all,

I'm looking for reasons not to consider an S211 320 petrol.

I think I'll end up with a budget of £14k. And I want an S211 with a big spec. I'm below the point where I can get a facelift (in which I'd have a 350, 320 CDI or 500).

So the choice on the earlier cars is 32O, 320 CDI or 500. Having read a recent Evo s/h test I feel that I ever were to buy a diesel it would have to be the new V6. So in that case I'm left with the two petrols. And I've seen a top spec 320 for sale.

Now obvously the 320 petrol is less wafty than a 500 - but how much? Am I going to wringing it to the readline all the time or is still a large engine with a bit of grunt which makes the whole E Class experince gell nicely?

PS I'm not particularly bothered about fuel bills as my annual mileage is low and I have a petrol card.

Any thoughts from anyone out there who's made a similar choice?

 

[jaymanek]

For 14K ish you could get a V6 diesel...

The 320 is a great engine but remember residuals will be rubbish.

 

[Ade B]

According to Richard Branson, we're running out of oil next week - so the residuals on any large engined car will be ****e


Other than that, can't think of a decent reason not to. I'd be looking for one now if I had the spare cash.

On a different note, I thought the 320CDI had much more poke than the equivalent petrol.

Ade

 

[kwakdonut]

According to Richard Branson, we're running out of oil next week - so the residuals on any large engined car will be ****e


Other than that, can't think of a decent reason not to. I'd be looking for one now if I had the spare cash.

On a different note, I thought the 320CDI had much more poke than the equivalent petrol.

Ade

Says Richard Branson, the same man who is launching a completely pointless not-quite-spacecraft which uses more fuel towing it to its launch pad than most of us use in a lifetime!!!

And the 320CDI will be much more fun to drive as it has way more torques than the petrol model!

 

[renault12ts]

The 320cdi will have less power but more torque. Its the torque that gives the go. So, go for diesel you'll not regret it. I6 is fine.

 

[ChrisMc]

I was one of those people hat just couldn't 'get' Diesel, unless you did a lot of miles and wanted the economy etc. As far as I was concerned, they were noisy, and stank like hell..
I'd had some pretty nice motor's over the years, RS Turbo, 944, 2 Sapphire Cosworths, and a Volvo 850R, before finally succumbing to Family motoring with a Volvo V70 2.4 T.
All had great engines, with the Cosworth standing out.....

However, and just to put things into perspective, I recently tested a C250 CDI Sport, which had the same BHP as the Cosworth, @ 204ish...impressive enough on its own.
But, the way that thing delivered that power was nothing short of sensational, and I simply couldnt beleive just how fast and secure it was to drive, the low down torque was mind-blowing.
I even took the C350 out too, and that was so fast it was a guaranteed license loser !

So, in all honesty, I dont see the need for Petrol performance engines for most of us mere-mortals. Sure, if you can afford a C63, get one, but if you are asking me which is the more 'use-able', the 320 Petrol or 320 Diesel, the Diesel will feel just as quick as it pulls from the moment you touch the pedal.

 

[kth286]

depends if the car is a keeper in the long run.

there is an awful lot of additional complexity with modern diesels to achieve that power/economy, and it will not go into high miles without likely expensive service/repairs, compared with the "simple" petrol engine configeration.

you only have to see this within these forums.

so if it is your own money, you could be spending the savings on diesel economy later on with expensive repairs.

 

[Londonscottish]

For 14K ish you could get a V6 diesel...

The 320 is a great engine but remember residuals will be rubbish.

Where can I get a V6 diesel for £14k? I saw one of the members recently managed it but when I look on Autotrader they all seem to be in the £17-£18k bracket

 

[Londonscottish]

On a different note, I thought the 320CDI had much more poke than the equivalent petrol.

Ade

Well it's got more low-end torque. But, I assume, a relatively narrow power band and no top end.

It might suit the nature of the car better.

I'm just owrried about the almightly clatter on a cold start - I think the V6's are better in this respect. Both fine when warm.

 

[ecky jeck]

deisel gives super economy

I have a 2003 W211 320cdi avant garde which now has 153,000 miles on the clock. Last week, keeping to the speed limits I averaged 48 mpg over 650 miles. mostly done at 70 mph. No need to go petrol. The car drives a real treat. Best E class I have ever owned.

 

[renault12ts]

The e350 cdi and cgi have the same performance figures, yet the petrol has 25% more power and the diesel is 90kg heavier. The performance from the diesel if effortless and unhurried. This makes for a more relaxing, yet no less exciting drive.

 

[BenzedUP]

if you want to go for the 320 petrol then this one is a great example:
Trade Car Warehouse : 2003 53 Reg MERCEDES E320 AMG AVANTGARDE 4DR AUTO

If your not going to do allot of miles then the 320 petrol is fine and it's smooth.

I would personally go for the 320 CDi it's a rocket and will match if not beat the E500 once it's had a good remap

 

[renault12ts]

The big diesel has more torque than the 500. The 0-60 time suffers by about 1.5 seconds...as said above a remap will sort that out.

 

[Londonscottish]

if you want to go for the 320 petrol then this one is a great example:
Trade Car Warehouse : 2003 53 Reg MERCEDES E320 AMG AVANTGARDE 4DR AUTO

I would personally go for the 320 CDi it's a rocket and will match if not beat the E500 once it's had a good remap

That's a great car there - shame it's not an estate as that's what I need.

I'm just worried about the start up noise of the earlier diesels. I was walking past a 270 cdi in the office car park last year as it started up and it was really LOUD!

I had a short lift in one and it was pretty rattly amd rumbly for the first 5 or 10 mins. Once warm they seem fine and they make a nice growl. But cold - hmm....as a city dweller who doesn't do a lot of miles I need a bit more sound deadening.

 

[Londonscottish]

The big diesel has more torque than the 500. The 0-60 time suffers by about 1.5 seconds...as said above a remap will sort that out.

The remap of the V6 which Chris Harris ran really got my attention - took a V6 cdi down from the mid 8's to mid 6's for the 0-60.

NOT fatser that a facelift 500 though - that's got 386bhp and more torques than you can shake a stick at.

 

[LTD]

You would get a nice W220 S500 for £14k

 

[st4]

The remap of the V6 which Chris Harris ran really got my attention - took a V6 cdi down from the mid 8's to mid 6's for the 0-60.

NOT fatser that a facelift 500 though - that's got 386bhp and more torques than you can shake a stick at.

You are used to running an AMG.

I guess fuel consumption isnt a major issue.

I'd think a 320 petrol would be fine enough, but a 350 or 500 ideal. You will not have to rev it hard to make decent progress, its not got the torque of a diesel but its not exactly a sluggish engine either, still a healthy amount of torque and more peak power. Remember torque itself is useless with engine speed, so when the petrol does rev say beyond 4k rpm, you'll be making decent progress if not decent economy. A modern diesel does the performance/economy blend very well however

A 500 is probably better, and the diesels are quiet, the V6s especially so, the 220cdi's not so but ok when warm.

Get the best car in the best condition you can afford is my best advice.

 

[BenzedUP]

That's a great car there - shame it's not an estate as that's what I need.

I'm just worried about the start up noise of the earlier diesels. I was walking past a 270 cdi in the office car park last year as it started up and it was really LOUD!

I had a short lift in one and it was pretty rattly amd rumbly for the first 5 or 10 mins. Once warm they seem fine and they make a nice growl. But cold - hmm....as a city dweller who doesn't do a lot of miles I need a bit more sound deadening.

The 320 CDi is smoother and quiter than the 270, start up it is abit loud but give it 5mins and it will be v quite and smooth.

Since you don't really do much miles then it would be best to go for the 500 or even 350 as the 320 petrol in an estate doesnt shift.. no torque for a heavy car like that.

 

[st4]

The 320 CDi is smoother and quiter than the 270, start up it is abit loud but give it 5mins and it will be v quite and smooth.

Since you don't really do much miles then it would be best to go for the 500 or even 350 as the 320 petrol in an estate doesnt shift.. no torque for a heavy car like that.

320 petrol should be ok.

approx 220 ft/lb @ approx 3500 rpm on a car that freely revs to 6000rpm is more than what most cars have, despite the mass of the 211 wagon. Real world a diesel 320 will be better and more effortless but I doubt the petrol is a slug. For pootling about london and on mways the petrol will be fine.

Remember, power is the work done, torque and engine speed is what is applied to make the power

 

[LTD]

<cough> S500 </cough>