Buying Information - E Class

[Matt_EClass]

Hi All, Im a new Member - just joined this morning. At the moment - (wondering if I can mention it on here!) I drive a 2000 X reg Astra 1.7dti - currently at 148,000 miles, I know the shame!!! dont get me wrong, its done exactly what what it says on the tin! I do approx 500 miles a week, all personal miles, I get between 55 - 60 mpg (depending on how I drive it) my journey is mostly motorway with abit of stop start stuff. Not long ago I really did my back in and the Astra just isnt big enough, Im 6ft5. I want to move up to the big league and buy a Merc diesel - this is whats on my list:

Merc 300 D E Class Auto
Merc 220 CDI E Class Auto
Or Poss Merc 320 CDI E Class Auto

I'll probably have approx £8,000 to spend - plus the Astra - which should be (not alot).

What sort of MPG should I get out of the above Mercs? Ive never had a Mercedes before, I know a bit about cars but what should I be looking out for, apart from the service history etc...... And really just some general comments would be good!

Many Thanks

Matthew

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome,

300D Mid 30's
220CDI into the 50's on a long run
320CDI I've averaged 36.5mpg for 91K miles

Astra is very light (and uncomfortable) Mercedes are very heavy (and comfortable). 220CDI may seem underpowered depending upon how you drive. 300D is very old technology now and is noisy compared to newer CDI engines - however it is a very good engine and can run on cooking oil and bio fuels. The 320CDI is a flying machine, melting tarmac and shreding tyres.
You should be able to get a last of the line 320CDI on an 02 plate for the money you have. Mileage is not an issue to me as the engines can cover mega miles.
Rust is the big issue on E Class', however post 99/00 MB came in with a 30 year warranty which if the car has MB stamps in the service book they will cover.
My best advice is to search around this forum as there is so much excellent information.

 

[jberks]

OK - first thing is that a Merc is going to be a lot more to run than the Astra. Fuel certainly but also insurance, servicing, exhausts, brakes,tyres - pretty much everything. It's important to bear in mind as the purchase price may be apealing but be wary of the overall running costs which will be around double that of the Astra.
A 220 cdi will get to 50mpg if you take it really steady and let it cruise, a 320 more like 35-38 but again that's only half the story as round town, where the Astra will drop from 50-60 to maybe 40 ish, the merc will be in the mid 20's as Mercs are heavy autos so take a fair bit to get moving. In short, I'm delighted with the 23-44mpg I get from my E270cdi when compared to the 15-31 I used to get from my E240, but it's crap compared to my friends new Mondeo.

If you do 25kpa, then you need something with sensible mileage to start with. That probably rules out most 300D's and in any case the CDI's are more modern and fuel efficient.

Also, you are looking at the last E class - A '210' - check out the rust issues that affected that model. (do a search on here).

Those are the downsides - the upsides I'm sure you know. Great, roomy, long distance cruisers. Given the choice, I won't drive anything else.

So, if after that you're still eager to get an E, then drive the 220. If the performance is ok for you, don't drive the 320 as once you have, it's very hard to go back. I managed to compromise on a 270 but you don't have that option!

 

[Blobcat]

I managed to compromise on a 270 but you don't have that option!

Could have, rare as hens teeth but I have seen an RHD W210 E270 CDI for sale, it was a special order from the factory.

 

[Matt_EClass]

OK, I wont think your trying to put me off!

I hear what your saying, Ive been driving the Astra since 2002 and although its been a great car - Its done what I wanted, although I wouldnt have said it wasnt that cheap to maintain - ive had some big bills on it. What are my options though, dont like BMW - never interested me. Ford, Vauxhall etc... OK, they have some good cars but, I just dont think they wear as well as a Merc, I mean Ive really looked after the Astra but its starting to show its miles, and Im sure a Benz will look just as good (as long as its looked after) at 150K as it did at 10K - and at least have some value - whereas the Astra wont be worth alot when I come to pass it on.

I realise it will cost me more, but after 3 years in the Astra, I want some comfort and Im pretty sure a Merc will give me that.

I really want an E Class - but should I perhaps look at the C Class as well? or just go for it with the E.

Many Thanks for your replies

Matthew

 

[Blobcat]

If you want an E class just go and get one, simple as that. I came from a Vectra and have never regretted buying my 'E' for a minute. Not even when I had a >£1K bill for a service.
Your only this way once, enjoy.

 

[alexspurs61]

I had about £4k to spend on something (I imagined) like a Mondeo or possibly an Alfa 156 when I gave a company car back four months ago.

The E Class estate I went for instead came in at £3k after I'd got busy waving folding notes around. I spent about £200 quid on fresh brake pipes and V belt, so still under book price.

Yep, it's a 96 so there's a bit of pretty manageable rust. But d'you know what? I won't be changing it, unless I'm suddenly in a position to be spending £8k like your good self! Mine's a relatively slow old bird so if you can run to a 320, have it. I've driven one and blobcat's comments about them 'flying' are bang on the money.

My eventual point is that like me you've had a fairly straightforward (but very worthy, I'm sure!) box which you're changing and the E gives you an integrity pretty unmatched at the price. It's just....I dunno, different!

And at the risk of being controversial, I'd go independent with the servicing every time once warranty and re-sale aren't so much of an issue.

 

[jberks]

If you really want the E I won't be able to put you off. Hopefully I can't as they are great.

Its simply that we don't know people's financial position. Some sensibly spend 8k and some stretch themselves to buggery to raise it. The former - great - go for it, the latter however can end in tears if 2 months down the line you're staring down the barrel of a £600 repair bill. Tyres at £90+ per corner can be a shock if you're used to £40 etc.

A service at an indie will be from £150 to £400. Avoid the dealer.

Check the insurance first too. I was quoted an extra £100 over the 270 for a 320. They are nice and quick though!

 

[Blobcat]

Mine's a relatively slow old bird so if you can run to a 320, have it. I've driven one and blobcat's comments about them 'flying' are bang on the money.

I even have a photo from North Wales Police now to prove it :Oops:, I will post it up once I find my scanner.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi Matt,
Totally agree with all the good advice given.

I know I'm biast but to quote JC (Top Gear),
"The 320 CDi is every engine you will ever want".

I wholeheartedly agree, after living with one for the last 20 months, brings a smile to my face every day. and the Ive never passed so many filling stations.

Ave mpg 33, ranges from 25-42mpg dependant on type of motoring.

Choose well (good spec and fsh) and you won't regret it.

 

[alexspurs61]

Hi Matt,
Totally agree with all the good advice given.



Ave mpg 33, ranges from 25-42mpg dependant on type of motoring.

Choose well (good spec and fsh) and you won't regret it.

Jeez, look at those figures AND with more grunt than a grunty thing!

My pipsqueak engine has given me a worst of 20 and a best of 35mpg. Glad most of my journeys are short and my servicing costs minimal! Still love the thing tho'!

 

[hawk20]

Matt Eclass - rather a long answer but I have much in common with you and quite a lot of information which may help you. Not to be personal, but what's your inside leg measurement? I'm 33 inch and that is what drove me to Mercedes. No other car offers the legroom. It is not height but leg-length that matters. You should be able to push the seat back far enough until your thighs are supported by the squab and your legs should be pretty straight out in front of you. Not out sideways at an angle. An Astra is hopeless for me as are most normal cars; they are designed for average height drivers. Hell for you, I should think.

If your legs are as long as mine (with your height they may be longer -I'm just 6ft) -if they are then heed this advice. When you get the seat back as far as you will need, you will IDEALLY need to adjust the rake and REACH of the steering wheel. I have owned the old E and the current E and done big miles in both. The old E, you cannot adjust the wheel for reach AND it has less legroom than the new model. BEAR with me. Your budget probably won't reach a current model E (well it might reach an early one over book miles?????) BUT it will reach an early current model C class. Just don't rule it out. I've owned one of those too and done 25k miles in one. IT HAS MORE LEGROOM THAN THE OLD E CLASS IN THE FRONT. You need that at 6ft 5ins. AND it has a steering column adjustable for rake and reach so you can get really comfortable for the first time, in your case. All I say is check one out. We are both freaks. You are far taller than car designers want you to be. I am far too long in the leg to be economically viable to build cars for. We have special needs. Believe me the C class is a very nice drive, very like an E class in many ways. Front engine rear drive. All the right things. In a C class the 200cdi and 220 cdi do mega miles per gallon. And both offer excellent performance after the Astra. Not dear to run, was my experience and no problems with rust. If you buy the old E you have to very very careful about rust and it is not always easy to find. See other threads. The C is a safer bet, a more economical car to run and for the special reasons above probably more suited to your dimensions.
Final thought. Merc are now offering special rates through dealers for servicing and for Service Plus which almost amounts to a warranty on cars 3 to 6 years old. I'll try and find the thread and post it later. It's much less expensive than you might expect.
Lastly, check out What Car's insurance (done via Liverpool Victoria but with all the cover What Car experts demanded). Amazingly competitive. I paid only £250 p.a. fully comp for a new £25k B class and to my amazement pay only £345 for a Dec 2005 S320cdi. Everyone I've recommended it to has saved. And they don't ask your mileage, or care if you go to France or Europe -often as you like. Great. Good luck.

 

[hawk20]

This is the thread on parts and labour warranty/service plus agreements
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=18621

 

[Blobcat]

If your legs are as long as mine (with your height they may be longer -I'm just 6ft) -if they are then heed this advice. When you get the seat back as far as you will need, you will IDEALLY need to adjust the rake and REACH of the steering wheel. I have owned the old E and the current E and done big miles in both. The old E, you cannot adjust the wheel for reach AND it has less legroom than the new model. BEAR with me. Your budget probably won't reach a current model E (well it might reach an early one over book miles?????) BUT it will reach an early current model C class. Just don't rule it out. I've owned one of those too and done 25k miles in one. IT HAS MORE LEGROOM THAN THE OLD E CLASS IN THE FRONT. You need that at 6ft 5ins. AND it has a steering column adjustable for rake and reach so you can get really comfortable for the first time, in your case. All I say is check one out. We are both freaks. You are far taller than car designers want you to be. I am far too long in the leg to be economically viable to build cars for. We have special needs. Believe me the C class is a very nice drive, very like an E class in many ways. Front engine rear drive. All the right things. In a C class the 200cdi and 220 cdi do mega miles per gallon. And both offer excellent performance after the Astra. Not dear to run, was my experience and no problems with rust. If you buy the old E you have to very very careful about rust and it is not always easy to find. See other threads. The C is a safer bet, a more economical car to run and for the special reasons above probably more suited to your dimensions.

Hawk20 I'm not sure which E you had but my W210 has a fully adjustable steering wheel, reach as well as height. Looking at my '00 brochure fully adjustable steering wheel is standard across the range, although only electrically adjustable with memory seats. (Now that's an option I don't want to live without)
As for interior space the E is much larger than the C
Headroom 997 rather than 987
Seat back to front of seat squab 528 rather than 526
Seat squab height at front 301 rather than 272
Width across car at seat level 1452 rather than 1400
width across car at shoulder level 1431 rather than 1350
and don't even mention the back seat in the C class.

 

[jberks]

The adjustable steering wheel came in with the minor facelift in 2000. They did a few bits like change the gear shift handle slightly and add the adjustable wheel (Can't think of anything else they did). My facelift 2000 E class had a fixed wheel.

 

[Blobcat]

The adjustable steering wheel came in with the minor facelift in 2000. They did a few bits like change the gear shift handle slightly and add the adjustable wheel (Can't think of anything else they did). My facelift 2000 E class had a fixed wheel.

New instrument panel, new centre consol, new bumpers, new rear lights. My brochure is dated March 00 so it is interesting that your 00 240 didn't have the adjustable steering wheel.

 

[jberks]

They did that with the 99V facelift - deeper airdam, more sloped front, indicators on the mirrors, new lights, dash, buttons on the wheel etc
But they then made a few extra cosmetic changes shortly after. The only 2 I remember were a new gear shift lever, where the elegance/avantgarde label on the top was changed for one that ran down the back of the lever, plus they introduced the adjustable wheel as standard. Mine was a facelift, so had the computer etc, but had the old 'top button' style gear lever and a fixed wheel .

 

[benzo]

Best Place to Buy

Hello all

Sorry, Matt - don't mean to hijack your thread but my question is along the same lines. I opened a similar thread but that had to do with tyres. I have made up my mind (hopefully not against common wisdom) to buy a 24-36 mth old W211 320 or 270 cdi.

Initially I was looking only at Autotrader and local adverts but reading through the forum has me very concerned about the car. There is a lot of negative input about it and there seems to be a consensus that it is better to buy used ones from Mercedes so you can at least get a comprehensive warranty.

My initial plan was to find a seller not too far from my indy and have him give the car athorough once over before taking the plunge. Will this be good enough or am I safer buying from Merc Direct? the price difference for similar specced cars is about £4K -£5K. Is the "peace of mind" from Merc direct really worth that much more?

Also if you buy a used car from outside their dealer network can you still get a Mercedes warranty on it?

Thanks.

 

[Blobcat]

MB have a 36 month warranty, so even if you are the second owner as long as it is less than 36 months old the MB warranty will apply. IMHO the best deal is from an independant MB speciallist on a car 24 months old.
You can get MB warranties and service plans, subject to a survey by an MB dealer

 

[benzo]

IMHO the best deal is from an independant MB speciallist on a car 24 months old.
You can get MB warranties and service plans, subject to a survey by an MB dealer

Thanks for the reply. I thought "an independant MB speciallist" was just for car repairs, guys like George Fraser and Andy Gayle. Also, how would you know if a vendor was an independent specialist - would you just take his word for it?