£6k w220 or £8k w221

IceBoy

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Hi All,

If I want the ultimate waft-ability with minimal cost and running expense I have these two options:

1. Low mileage S320 cdi W220 at £6k
2. High mileage S320 cdi W221 at £8k

So what are the pros and cons?

I don't want to be stuck with big bills, which I had in my high mileage E320cdi w211!

I think the technology costs scare me in the W221, if things go wrong then huge bills...or will a low mileage w220 still throw big bills at me?!?!?! HELP!

Over to you..
IceBoy
 

Botus

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age kills cars even more so with electronic toys, I believe both have air struts in each corner so the simple answer is buy something else

get a jag for 3 k you can have two of them for the price of one faulty merc and it'll waft far better
 

Craiglxviii

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970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone
As with anything, things can go weong. You're looking to buy a £90k when new motor car, it will still now have £90k level running costs. That said...

The powertrain is pretty bulletproof.
A fair amount of work can be done on the driveway.
Many parts around for not huge costs.
You avoid ABC with the 320 and Airmatic is much more forgiving.

Keep an eye out for rot. Search member C16RKC's "My S320 thread" for an eye to what it costs/ what can be done.

Lovely big old barge and waft a- go go baby!! I think you should point to the W220 myself.
 

PovertySpec

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W211 facelift? I went for the E220. So far, so good.
 

DSB SL AMG

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I did own a W220 S320CDI which I never took too...and have had the experience of W221 E350CDI BE hire car whilst in Germany on business a few times, night and day for me in terms of efficiency and handling, although both airmatic, modern interior architectural appeal with the W221...

I would go for the W221, with full MB + MB indy history + lots of receipts, find one as cherished as possible, any potential buy with high miles I would definitely get a pre-sale inspection by a recognized forum Indy (scattered UK wide) + you can use the report as a good negotiating tool...you need to make sure no massive bills on the horizon. (as much as possible).
 
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turbopete

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ANY car can throw up big bills. its the luck of the draw. your E320 may not cost a penny outside of wear and tear for years now. or it could have a fortune needing to be spent yet. you just never know.

if you want to reduce the likelihood of big bills happening, you need as few gadgets and electronic aids as possible. for that reason alone, assuming size isn't much of an issue, id suggest a C class on that budget. or something like a high spec Ford Mondeo or similar.
 

DSB SL AMG

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Typo below, I meant W221 S350CDI BE...

I did own a W220 S320CDI which I never took too...and have had the experience of W221 E350CDI BE hire car whilst in Germany on business a few times, night and day for me in terms of efficiency and handling, although both airmatic, modern interior architectural appeal with the W221...

I would go for the W221, with full MB + MB indy history + lots of receipts, find one as cherished as possible, any potential buy with high miles I would definitely get a pre-sale inspection by a recognized forum Indy (scattered UK wide) + you can use the report as a good negotiating tool...you need to make sure no massive bills on the horizon. (as much as possible).
 

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