advice on best car

[martthefart]

Heres the choice:
E Class 320 CDI on 02 plate 41K miles or E Class 270CDI on a 03 plate 37K miles. Both approved Mercs MB FSH etc.

Would it be best to go for the older 210 chassis 320 as hopefuly the niggles and rust issues have been sorted (have they?) Is the older 320 cdi a more relaible better performing unit and car than the newer 270 cdi that's on a 211 chassis?

I have always thought you are better buying the last of a model than the first of a new model as the older the model has had most of the problems engineered out.

FYI the 270 is £3k more, one year younger and 5K miles less than the 320.

Which is the best to buy in the opinion of the forum users.

Cheers

 

[television]

Heres the choice:
E Class 320 CDI on 02 plate 41K miles or E Class 270CDI on a 03 plate 37K miles. Both approved Mercs MB FSH etc.

Would it be best to go for the older 210 chassis 320 as hopefuly the niggles and rust issues have been sorted (have they?) Is the older 320 cdi a more relaible better performing unit and car than the newer 270 cdi that's on a 211 chassis?

I have always thought you are better buying the last of a model than the first of a new model as the older the model has had most of the problems engineered out.

FYI the 270 is £3k more, one year younger and 5K miles less than the 320.

Which is the best to buy in the opinion of the forum users.

Cheers

Hopefully the new one should be more reliable, and the older car the best image for the money.

malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

The 320cdi is an amazing engine, however the W210 chassis that is wrapped around it can suffer quite badly from corrosion.
The 270cdi is not as smooth but has better fuel economy, the early W211's have had quite a few electrical issues as well, although they should have been covered on warranty. As they are both from MB you should have 12 months warranty on both.
IMHO though I would try and find a newer W211 E320cdi from an independant MB specialist. As long as it is less than 3yrs old the MB warranty still applies. So you could benefit from the lower cost of buying independantly yet still benefit from MB warranty. A win win senario

 

[jberks]

I would imagine you have a preference in the looks stakes and financially and I would be swayed more by that than anything else.
The 320 is great but I've never been embarrased by the 270. There's plenty of go for normal use and reliability wise, they are fine.
The 270 is a bit more economical and the 211 will probably depreciate more slowly due to it still being the current model.
Any early 03 problems should be long gone by now so I wouldn't be concerned and reliability wise, they will be much the same.
As to whether an 02 210 is rust free - I'm not certain. They didn't do a lot to alleviate it in terms of being galvanised etc. Even the 03 211 isn't galvanised. The 211 contains a lot of aluminium and plastic so the tin worm shouldn't be a concern, and IMO, it's a lot better looking and better equipped than the 210 which is what swayed me.

Follow your heart on this one but firstly think seriously about Blobcats advise re finding a non franchised one - wise words.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Some very good advice has already been given, which will be a great help.

It's difficult to judge between the cars without knowing how much you are actually paying.

Both are good cars but the 320CDi engine is very special, I am still amazed at mine, both its frugality and immense power are amazing. The answer may lie in what has already been mentioned re the end of line reliability against a new model and aesthetics of the two very different designs.

If the 320 is rust free I can't see a problem with it and it would be my choice providing the spec is not poverty.

I know I'm biast.

Hope this helps.

 

[Flying Scot]

And

if its not fast enough Superchips do a conversion for the 2005/6 Mercedes 320 CDI with the new 3.0l V6 224bhp turbo diesel engine. This conversion will give a maximum power gain of 37bhp at 3958rpm and torque gain of 70Nm at 1943rpm.

 

[martthefart]

Thanks for the advice from all. Malcolm is thinking along my lines, end of line reliability etc. The price is by my thinking very good. For the age and mileage I think I would be hard pushed to find a private sale for cheaper. It will also mean I could trade in my current 92 plate 300D as I don't think private sale is really an option considering its current condition.

The other consideration is using independent specialist for major items may be easier as it's a model thats been around a bit. That way I could use the main dealer for services to keep Mobilio going and independents for other work. I like the idea of the power of the 320CDI and there is after all only one year between them so . Any problems present on the 320 are likely to present on the next year as the technology either overlaps or is completly new with new problems. Newer, unless brand new, doesn't always mean better.
Whilst the 270 may look nicer, £3000 needs to be a lot of nice to justify the expense. I like the look of both of them to be honest. In fact if they were the old 124 shape i'd be even happier!
I imagine both have their share of problems, but as both are under warranty the first 12 mths shouldn't be a problem.
Malcolm you have one, have you had any major problems or experiences?

Thanks for all the great advice and thoughts and keep them coming.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I have covered 10K with the car since bought in Nov 04. It had 36K miles when bought and is the colour I wanted (silver) and almost fully loaded (I took my time buying and found the best spec I could).

To date the car has required new discs and pads and a brake light switch.

I owned a 124 300TE prior to the 320CDi and I must say that MB moved forward in design considerable with the 210. The Avantgarde suspension and parameter steering improve the driving experience considerable and the engine performs more like a petrol with superb throttle response, its amazing.

I can only say well done MB (I know there are issues but the bad news is out there), and I would be at the front of the queue for another. On another note I very much doubt whether the current V6 CDi engine is better than the IL six of the 210 CDi, MB had to go the V6 route to accomodate putting the engine in other smaller chassis. The 270CDi was no doubt a compromise until the V6 CDi engine was developed.

Hope this helps in your choice, if you need more just ask.

ps. the climate control is superb.

 

[television]

Malcolm210 did what I did, get one with all of the options, its well worth it, then you do not end up wishing that you had this or that, and you cant add them once you have bought the car, you will feel so good driving it ,you wont want the speed mods for you will drive very slow so that all can see it.

malcolm

 

[martthefart]

Thanks for the advice guys, the comments about the move from a straight 6 to a V6 mirrors my thoughts exactly. It's looking more like the 320 for me with every post. Will keep all informed.

Mart

 

[Balal]

why do you not consider an S-class (mybe even S320) !? you can get used ones at fairly reasonable price now!

 

[television]

A freind of mine is selling his 2005 E class 320cdi 16k miles as new, loaded.

malcolm

 

[martthefart]

A freind of mine is selling his 2005 E class 320cdi 16k miles as new, loaded.

malcolm

How much is he asking?

 

[television]

How much is he asking?

I will put the figure up when I speak to him this evening, normally trade in book price.

malcolm

 

[martthefart]

Update folks, the car has been sold before I had the chance. Not surprised really, it was an approved car from main dealer, 41K on clock, full leather SH etc and they were aksing just under £15K. Sounded like a bragain soemone else as well it appears. Never mind, back to the hunting!

 

[television]

Update folks, the car has been sold before I had the chance. Not surprised really, it was an approved car from main dealer, 41K on clock, full leather SH etc and they were aksing just under £15K. Sounded like a bragain soemone else as well it appears. Never mind, back to the hunting!

Just spoke to him, he sold it this morning, sorry. I know the feeling.

Malcom

 

[martthefart]

Thanks Malcolm, Do you kow what it went for?

Mart

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Sorry you missed it, at least you are better prepared for the next one. Sounds like somebody got a good buy.

Good hunting