Buying my first Mercedes-Benz E220 2013

[Tango51]

Hi all,

I have recently been looking to buy my first Mercedes-Benz and I've been looking at a second-hand 2013 E220 AMG sport with 100k miles. It's 16,000 euros with 12 month warranty.
I have been asking people for their opinion about the brand with very mixed reviews. so I thought I might post on here and get advice from the people that know what they are talking about. I have a few questions......or maybe a few myths that need to be confirmed or busted.

A little background about myself and what kind of car owner I am. I own 2 family cars a 2010 VW Passat estate 2.0 TDI (i have had it for 10 years) and a 2005 VW T5 Caravelle 1.9tdi (5 years).
I love doing the jobs I can on the cars myself such as services and replacement of any parts that don't require a lift I am confident with using VCDS and find it an invaluable tool. this I feel gets me closer to my cars and saves me and my family cash.

after a test drive I was very impressed with the E220 it has everything I'm looking for in a car strong, comfortable, economical, very commanding position for the driver, and most importantly for me I felt safe in a robust car.

now, sorry for the long-winded intro... on to the questions.

1. Is there an alternative to VCDS for Mercedes-Benz?

2. Is it feasible to do DIY services and light repairs on a Mercedes-Benz or is it a spider web of specialist tools that are required?

3. If I change a part for example an electronic component does it need to be programmed by the main dealers?

4. Are they as expensive as everyone says they are to matain? ( work is a 100km trip)

5. What is your personal feeling on the E220 is there a better model I should consider?

any feedback would be grateful, thanks.

 

[Not_Anumber]

I have had Mercedes of various types & styles for a couple of decades or so, always buying at a few years old to avoid major depreciation. I have done plenty of work on them myself starting with a restoration on a W108 280S.

1. There isnt an affordable Mercedes equivalent to VAG COM/ VCDS. It is a pity really but Ive got used to not having it and have so far avoided trips to the dealership for coding.

2 Very much depends on the Merc in question. I have maintained most of the Mercs Ive owned myself and only recently taken to using garages to maintain my current car and thats mostly down to infirmity. The largest mechanical thing I did in recent years was an engine change on a W210 E320cdi . There were no particular difficulties encountered though I was glad of borrowing an engine crane rather than a block & tackle as that car had a heavy straight 6 engine. A 4 pot or V6 engine would be more compact to change.

3 Some parts are likely to need coding, depends on the part. Its best to search the site as there is a lot of advice already available.

4. My S212 E350 is slightly heavier on diesel than the 3 litre Audi A7 I had for a while but it also has more grunt so i cant complain. Oddly the Merc is a lot cheaper to ensure.

5. The E220 is ok, the E250 is slightly quicker but what is holding you off from going for a V6. I have had many Mercedes over the years and regard my E350 CDI as probably the best all rounder. Especially after a remap.

The AMG Sport name is just a name. Mine is one aledgedly but I think of it just as an Avantgarde with AMG wheels and floor mats- because that is exactly what it is. I had a real AMG at one time so am never really sure why Mercedes allowed the AMG name to be stuck on anything and everything as it devalues it.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Hi all,

I have recently been looking to buy my first Mercedes-Benz and I've been looking at a second-hand 2013 E220 AMG sport with 100k miles. It's 16,000 euros with 12 month warranty.
I have been asking people for their opinion about the brand with very mixed reviews. so I thought I might post on here and get advice from the people that know what they are talking about. I have a few questions......or maybe a few myths that need to be confirmed or busted.

A little background about myself and what kind of car owner I am. I own 2 family cars a 2010 VW Passat estate 2.0 TDI (i have had it for 10 years) and a 2005 VW T5 Caravelle 1.9tdi (5 years).
I love doing the jobs I can on the cars myself such as services and replacement of any parts that don't require a lift I am confident with using VCDS and find it an invaluable tool. this I feel gets me closer to my cars and saves me and my family cash.

after a test drive I was very impressed with the E220 it has everything I'm looking for in a car strong, comfortable, economical, very commanding position for the driver, and most importantly for me I felt safe in a robust car.

now, sorry for the long-winded intro... on to the questions.

1. Is there an alternative to VCDS for Mercedes-Benz?

2. Is it feasible to do DIY services and light repairs on a Mercedes-Benz or is it a spider web of specialist tools that are required?

3. If I change a part for example an electronic component does it need to be programmed by the main dealers?

4. Are they as expensive as everyone says they are to matain? ( work is a 100km trip)

5. What is your personal feeling on the E220 is there a better model I should consider?

any feedback would be grateful, thanks.

Hello and welcome.

Firstly an S212 (E class estate) is a significantly bigger car than a Passat estate. You will certainly notice the extra room. You’ll also notice the significantly improved turning circle, these big Mercs turn on a sixpence.

Secondly, the 2.1 litre engine is a nice unit, but not stellar. You should expect 38-40mpg in combined usage (I did, same car and same engine). 177PS but 440N.m torque means that it pulls like a train, but is a bit revvy. 7 speed gearbox keeps things smooth though.

To answer your specific questions:

1. There is, it’s called Star but it isn’t cheap.

2. Yes. Perfectly feasible.

3. Depends on the component, many are plug & play.

4. No more so than VW; the total running costs- fuel + insurance + servicing/ repairs- for my 2000 reg CL500 (5 litre V8) were 3 pence per mile more expensive than for my 2002 reg Golf TDi (1.9 PD engine). They’re surprisingly reasonable.

5. I would look for a 350 diesel over a 220, the reason being that the 350 V6 engine has a duplex (double thickness) timing chain, vs a simplex (single thickness) on the 220 IL4 engine. The simplex chain has a known tendency to stretch and jump teeth on the timing gear, and replacement can be eye-wateringly expensive.

 

[DSK]

Some good comments above but I just want to say that for this type and size of car, I personally would not entertain anything less than the 3.0ltr for the diesel.

The extra performance will result in a more relaxed drive and not need to work the engine as hard and thus returning good economy. I personally think the 3.0ltr is efficient. Secondly this engine has been around a long time and it’s tried and tested reputable work horse.

Maintenance is possible depending on your skill level and hunger for it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Capra]

I'm envious of the space you get with the E class estate. I have a W204, so can comment about the engine. I recently covered over 800, with the second part of the trip covered in one day of driving. The 3ltr V6 is so smooth and makes driving effortless, usually below 2k RPM's all the way. And when needed, enough power to pass safely.