buying a merceded cdi e class need help

[johnny4]

hi to all as this is my first post so go easy

iam looking at getting a e class cdi and been looking around and after all this time i thought id ask the question here been looking at the e220 cdi around 03/04 thats what my buget can go to without finance and i dont want that but from going for a e220 cdi to a 320 cdi they not much saving on fuel thats what i was most bothered about but in anyones option which is the best to go for and what year as ive seen problem with body work and i need to for most motorway traveling

thanks for any advice before i part with my money

thanks

johnny

 

[stumpy]

Hi Johnny and welcome.

Try and get as new a car as poss built after 04 04 as the rust protection and paint is better. If all you need is motorway cruising then a 220 is fine and can be easily remapped for better mpg and more oomph. The 320 is better in that most have some nice extras which buyers of 220s generally don't bother with.

Oh, and next time please put some full stops in your sentences as it makes them easier to read.

 

[television]

Nothing wrong with Stumpy's advice go for after that date and welcome to the forum

 

[johnny4]

thanks for that lads not to sure which to go for the e220 or the e320 i see they not much diffrents in mpg what he pro and cons to lookout for in each model or iam i safe if i get something after 04/04 just it hard finding something around that year on my budget?

thanks for the help

johnny

 

[television]

One thing is for sure,that is the prices are going to fall even more on the run up to Christmas,, If you do mainly town work go for the 220, longer runs the 320

 

[johnny4]

well i do about 300 miles a week to work mostly motorways so what would be the best the e220 or the e320

thanks for the advice

johnny

 

[meri_gadi]

What ever you do make sure you get manufactures Warranty.

 

[hawk20]

In modern traffic it won't make a blind bit of difference to your journey time which you get. The 220cdi has a top speed of around 130-140 mph so it should manage Britain's speed limits OK!

The 220cdi will give you about 10% more mpg and lower VED too. The 320cdi is a great engine with loads of grunt but the 220 is surprisingly good too. Drive both and see what you think. I did and found the 220 effortless and fun. You will find a lot more choice in 200cdi's and get newer for your money of course.

Any E class built in 2003 or later will have been fully galvanised (see sticky in the bodywork section). Check the build date (not first registration).

On a tight budget I would go for the 220cdi and have a newer car. Get one with full MB service history (plenty have that) and best of all buy from an MB dealer and you will get a full 12 month warranty -and you can extend that. They are very competitive at the moment. Very. And haggle. Try the search engine on the MB website.

Often get spectacular deals in December as they strive for end-year targets.
But, also, all car prices drop in January as they become a year older and nobody has any money left after Christmas. Good luck.

What's your budget -approx?

Don't forget the 280cdi. Nice compromise. V6. Plenty about. Nice one at my local Southampton dealer. Only 34k miles, Avantgarde, 280cdi automatic, leather, COMAND, heated seats, phone pre-wiring etc etc asking a tad over 15k and will go for under £14k I would guess. And it is 2005. Good value.

 

[jberks]

lots of good reasons to buy the youngest you can. The old man has a 2003 and has had more issues than I have with my 2004, inc corrosion of the rear wheelarches.

Engine wise - you can only really tell the difference between the 3 cdi engines at higher speeds say 70+ - though to be fair the kick in the back from the 320 can become addictive. Yes the 320 is really nice and launch itself at the horizon at an almost scary rate, but the 220 will still keep up with normal traffic with plenty of grunt still in reserve, and if you're budget is tightish - the lower VED and better fuel economy, plus, lower maintenance costs (cheaper tyres, less injectors, less oil, etc etc) will add up over time.

If you really can't decide do as I did and compromise with an E270cdi - virtually the same mpg as the 220 (I regularly get over 40mpg) and closer to the 'chew them up and spit out the bits' performance of the 320 and squeazing neatly into the lower VED band to boot .

 

[hawk20]

Wise words Jberks, as ever. I forgot the E270cdi went into 2004. Loads of power with good economy and a good deal cheaper than the 280cdi secondhand -in most cases. A good buy.

 

[johnny4]

thanks for the advice lad but ive had a change of heart ive gone for a clk 270cdi ( seeing iam only 37 years old just wait the outcome of a aa report as the car is mile from me but if it comes back good ill get it

it a 2004 ( 54 reg ) anything to watch out on these and anyone point me in the right direction for a good warranty company

thanks for the advice its be really helpfull

 

[hawk20]

Has it got full MBSH?

Why not buy approved used and you get a full 12 month warranty that is excellent and you can extend it?

 

[jon cash]

ya i think you are spot on going for the clk, they are a lot more mimble than the E class but maybe i would prefer the E class if it was all motorway journeys i was doing. The Clk should get about 44mpg on a motorway run so. Is it a facelift model Clk, Simply put has it a large display radio or a smaller display radio with a cubby hole under the actual stereo?

 

[johnny4]

yes it the new facelift model its got the new type large satnav in it and its a nov 04 ( 54 reg ) and yes full merc history he said it has a couple of approved merc stamps in book aswell as the mercedes main dealers where he got it ( 77000 on clock ) just need to sort a good warranty out

thanks

johnny

 

[johnny4]

anyone point me in the right direction of a good warranty company

thanks for all the help

johnny