320 CDI W210

[The Pan Man]

Hi everybody not posted anything for a while but have now got a query that some of you will answer with ease as usual.
I have the chance to buy a 320 CDI Estate and the question is " Is there anything I should look out for specificly" Full MB history. Its a 2002 regisered one of the last 210 series.
All genuine comments appreciated.

 

[jberks]

Rust is the weakness of the W210. There are some horror stories about but most aren't too bad and Merc will fix it anyway provided its got a merc history. There is a huge tirade on this subject with all the info you need - just search for e class rust. Mostly check under the door rubber seals for any signs. Mine has a spot or 2 on the inner sills but I am waiting for Merc to agree to pay and its not actually visible without a lot of effort. I'd have it given the once over by the dealer and request a corrosion inspection.
320CDi engine is a fairly solid reliable beast with loads of go so I can't see a problem if the price is right.

 

[The Pan Man]

Taken the plung

Well guys just an update I have taken the plunge and bought the 320CDI Avantgarde, what an improvement over the 240 Elegence. The suspension seems to suit the estates better. Returning home after collection malfunction light comes on turns out to be the off side brake light bulb, got through several in 2 years in the 240. Why? Now for a killer question::: If the digital display is a known problem on the facelift 210 why with full main dealer history won't MB replace under warranty? The replacement part is on back order world wide so i'm told. Any sugestions clues or ideas? I will be in touch with the servicing dealer on Monday to see if it was recorded before the 3 years were up if it was "Do I have a case"?
One more question why on a car with Sat Nav is there only a single CD player that, as far as I can see you can't use if you want to use the Nav System? Comand Nav requires the disk in place to work, thats how it reads to me and as a quick trial last night that proved to be the case, have I misunderstood the instructions? If this is correct what model no CD Changer do I need or can I mix and match from the local ICE centre.
The car is also pre wired for a Nokia 6310 which I ahve but thesytem will not recognise it, again any sugestions. It says phone not plugged in when unplugged but when plugged in just says initialising phone and nothing happens.
Look forward to the responses.

 

[IDMerc]

With regards to the phone problem - the Nokia 6310 didn't arrive until 2002, so your car is more likely to be configured for the Nokia 6210. It is likely that the E320's software won't recognise the more recent phone. I suppose the only way you will prove this is to get hold of a 6210 and try it.

You will most likely fiind that the car cannot be reprogrammed to suit the 6310, as it is only since September 2004 that Mercedes have offered other phone "fitments" to cars with factory fit hands free systems.

 

[The Pan Man]

Thanks

Thanks I D Merc I know where I can get a 6210 to test it. I looked in the rear today and it is all prewired for a changer just need to make sure that I get the correct one.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

I will give you a list of things to check.

Air con, notorious for trouble. Check the condenser radiator, behind the wheel arch on the passenger side. You probably can't get at it but really check the air con is working, if not then get dealer on to it, expensive.

The blowing bulbs...I had that for years, one a week, and blowing bulbs all over the place. The offside rear light cluster [in the body, not the one in the door] was the worst. You need a new bulb holder, another known problem. If that does not work then a new real light cluster.

Watch for blowing headlamp bulbs too, the bulb holders in mine melted.

Check drop links at front, if you hear any sign of knocking, they are only good for 30 -50k. Mine were gone at 25k and the dealer insisted it was normal for Mercs to knock!!

The six unit cd changer goes in the rear wheel well at the first aid kit. I believe it comes prewired and the unit just drops in but am not certain.

Watch the electric windows, try them out particularly in hot weather, can be troublesome.

I have had two failures with the ABS pump, you need to check at the ESP/ABS unit between the nearside wheel arch and the engine......alloy, brake pipes come out the top. So did my brake fluid.

Rust is a big problem, you need to peel back the door seals all round including the tops of the doors, you will find rust beginning under them. My doors are being replaced, garage told me its over ?2k for parts but MB are footing the bill for once.

As for phones, I dont have the option. I was in dealers one day and while at the desk there were three calls complaining about non working phone kits!! I hear a lot of trouble with these.....

Very sensitive to tyre pressures for economy and handling. I have Pirelli P6000 at about 38psi. Makes handling quite sharp, tyres last well. Watch the wheel nuts too if you get a puncture, different nuts for the steel spare. Make sure you have them. my advice is buy a secondhand alloy to match the others, Ebay is good.

Next important one, because MB, whether anyone like it or not, are prone to breaking down. Make sure to carry your driving licence in case you are given a loan car....they wont give you one unless you have your licence with you.

They are great car to drive, but the ownership experience which is destroyed by the dealer network would not inspire me to ever buy another one. I intend keeping it for a few years and eventually replacing it with an older classic and buying a more reliable car for everyday use.

 

[The Pan Man]

Olaf thanks for a great reply

Thanks Olaf good reply. I am aware of some of the problems and not so of others, E240 had the front end knock was told it normal so made a big fuss and got that sorted.(Funny how that is normal becomes "The parts were ok but we changed them any way" and the noise goes. Rust issue well I will check all the points have to say there was none on the E240. I will go to the local stealer to get the number of the changer and then go from there. Phone well surely all these are reprogramable??? Has any one else heard the rumour that the digital display parts are "On world wide back order" All the other bits seem to work fine. One last comment the Air Con rad went on the E240 went local independant got recon unit fitted as you say common problem bill less than a third of the cost of the MB part from the stealer.
Interesting poin on the tyre pressures, If I may be so bold as to ask how did you arrive at that figure? I am a motorcycle instructor and 1 or 2 P.S.I. either way make a bike handle like a slippery pig.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Hi Pan Man....

I love motor cycles too, agree entirely with you. I reckon too you need to check pressures every week or two. The book went for lower pressures and I normally like a softer ride but I found the roadholding much better at the higher pressures. A wise man in a tyre shop told me to try the higher pressure. I know it works too because I just changed my still legal front tyres with 43k on them. Pothole took out one sidewall so I replaced them both. Wear patterns were perfect.

 

[jberks]

Pan Man,
Interesting you mention the display issue on the facelift models. I was not aware you could actually replace any of the display components. Are they sourcing you a new clock / temp display, or a whole binnacle. Mine comes and goes, and allegedly, it is repairable as the fault is little more than a bad connection. But I haven't attempted to strip mine yet. Not sure about the knock - my E240 has 52k on it and no noises whatsoever. I like the cdi, definately somewhat livelier than the 240! But how are you getting on with the increased noise and vibration?

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Cdi...

The CDI certainly has the edge in terms of driving. There is a good balance and the engine and car are well matched. I have not had a petrol car on over 20 years, first LPG then diesel. Diesel I like, get range of 500 miles upwards. The book might say more noise/vibration, but the engines are very low revving, 1800rpm at 60mph so the end feeling is much less noise and much more relaxed engine speeds.

The drop links will eventually go, but as Pan Man found they make a difference.

 

[jberks]

I guess like most things, you get used to it in no time. I had a full spec new 211 320CDI for a couple of days. Loved the performance, the economy and the toys, but the noise reminded me of my old transit, and I found myself missing the quiet refined whirr of the petrol V6. (I didn't miss the performance or economy though). Don't get me wrong, I think the 320CDI is a fantastic car, in reality vastly better than mine, but I bought mine for the refinement and I do wonder whether I would miss it.
Somewhat academic though as I intend keeping the 240 for a while yet.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Curious W211 and W210.

I took a W211 320CDI for a drive too and decided it was rougher than the W210 320CDI. I felt the W210 to be more solid. I am guessing the W211 is lighter. The W211 may possibly be better handling but I am not in a position to comment on that. Was not the first time this happened me. I had the same a number of years ago, had a 1987 Nissan Bluebird and in 1990 got a new one [well, 4 months old, from a liquidator] but had the old one for while. The comparison was amazing, the older one was so much quieter and smoother despite both being the same model designation and the same diesel engine.

Of more concern is the dealer service and reliability issues. I would not pay out the kind of money for a new 320CDI until I was sure of the reliability record. A new diesel engine is being used now, a V6, this may well kill values of staight 6 cars particularly if earlier W211 models prove to be as bad as W210 cars. So far the record is not good.