E class diesel E320?

st4

Banned
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Messages
8,624
Reaction score
13
Location
Sunny Scotland
Website
1-stephen-taylor.artistwebsites.com
Your Mercedes
Disqualified driver
St4 is here. Sorry for not responding sooner.

£7k is on the cusp of a late E320CDi I6 or an early V6CDi 7g model like mine. Given engine faults on mine have totalled £2500 what do you think I might say. Go on, have a guess.

Thats the bad bit about the V6CDi.

The good. Its ****ing fast, its ****ing quiet, and its very efficient. Performance, it is the best with economy that matches my old E220cdi, and betters it. Performance that matches the 500 V8 practically and refinement thats almost V8 petrol good.

The later the V6, the better they had as they come with a better manifold design and turbo seal which whilst not perfect, will probably avoid the IPS and blocked manifolds issues I had which meant 3 IPS motors in total and 2 manifolds on a car thats 6-7 yr old and 82k miles.

Coil springs go, I've also had a collapsed wheel bearing and rust, but the rust is really rare as is the bearings. If the spring collapses and you are driving, you may or may not live to tell the tale, but the ones we know of collapse when stationary.

Want my advice, get a nice E270cdi or I6 E320cdi. I had a 220cdi and it was ok performance wise, the 270cdi is the pick of the bunch and the I6 E320cdi is nice too. The 5g box is a master peice and is reliable. Check for the valeo radiator fault and ensure if a valeo radiatior is fitted, that its swapped before the fault of gylcol contamination in the ATF hits home, as that makes V6CDI problems seem cheap.

The facelifted E220cdi is a the best choice yet and a real 10yr brilliant ownership bet, a 2yo example will cost a bit, but really is ideal for what you want, and quite fast at 8sec to 60 and 140mph flat out. The V6 takes that down to 6.8sec to 60 and 155mph with the additional in gear grunt you get, by my money, if I could respend it, would go on the E220cdi facelift and some Eibach springs and Blistein Dampers. I only went for the 320cdi to get a sport spec car as I drive a lot on rural roads and want a more sporting drivinging dynamic.
 
Last edited:

paul hayward

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
1,526
Reaction score
3
Your Mercedes
all MB sold..V70R now ;-)
I always check paintwork with a PTG (Paint Thickness Gauge) or get a local detailer to do it for you. This will identify any after market respray areas.

Simon Barry

with the risk of appearing simple ...how do these paint gauge things actually work ..and where do you get them?

Sorry for the hijack!
 

st4

Banned
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Messages
8,624
Reaction score
13
Location
Sunny Scotland
Website
1-stephen-taylor.artistwebsites.com
Your Mercedes
Disqualified driver
They work by measuring by passing a small current from the meter to the car. The paint acts as resistor and the gauge can measure the thickness in the paint by the resistance? I think.

A PTG would have saved me from this car as its an all over respray.

However, the OP is looking at 7yr old cars. I've heard the tired old forum speak "barely ran in etc on 100k", Applies only to the engine. Most cars will have had additional paint for honest reasons like a small parking dents, very minor prangs. Paint to get a colour match needs blended and that means a thicker core of paint from the impact zone outwards.
 

paul hayward

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
1,526
Reaction score
3
Your Mercedes
all MB sold..V70R now ;-)
They work by measuring by passing a small current from the meter to the car. The paint acts as resistor and the gauge can measure the thickness in the paint by the resistance? I think.

A PTG would have saved me from this car as its an all over respray.

However, the OP is looking at 7yr old cars. I've heard the tired old forum speak "barely ran in etc on 100k", Applies only to the engine. Most cars will have had additional paint for honest reasons like a small parking dents, very minor prangs. Paint to get a colour match needs blended and that means a thicker core of paint from the impact zone outwards.

cheers for that:cool:...learnt something new again today:D
 
OP
M

MotardMan

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
895
Reaction score
13
Location
Berkshire, UK
Your Mercedes
1995 E320T, S124, W124, Sportline
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #25
ST4, thank you for your excellent post. If I have paid attention to the advice on the whole of this brilliant if slightly sad thread, I need;

A 2004/5 E270,
A 2004/5 i6 E320.

Earlier v6 320's will hurt me very badly by having failed 7G governors, manifold flap and motor fails and turbo oil leaks.

A 2 yr old E220 would be my best long term bet, but will probably be out of range financially.

I have a batch of watched 270 and 320's on fleabag and have even found my ideal combination of dark blue and light leather. No cars on Pistonheads though, and Trader is not giving me as many matches. The search, thanks to you guys, is ON!

Anyone want a low miles (79k) scabby looking C240? Or a 78k mile old 98 VW Polo 1.4?

;-)
 
OP
M

MotardMan

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
895
Reaction score
13
Location
Berkshire, UK
Your Mercedes
1995 E320T, S124, W124, Sportline
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #26
They work by measuring by passing a small current from the meter to the car. The paint acts as resistor and the gauge can measure the thickness in the paint by the resistance? I think.

A PTG would have saved me from this car as its an all over respray.

However, the OP is looking at 7yr old cars. I've heard the tired old forum speak "barely ran in etc on 100k", Applies only to the engine. Most cars will have had additional paint for honest reasons like a small parking dents, very minor prangs. Paint to get a colour match needs blended and that means a thicker core of paint from the impact zone outwards.

A ptg would have saved me from buying a C240 with paint worse than a Chinese bicycle. So how do you know how to judge a good reading, and a bad? Is there a minimum thickness required by MB?
 

Simon Barry

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2003
Messages
236
Reaction score
37
Location
midlands UK
Your Mercedes
CL500 215
St4 is here. Sorry for not responding sooner.

The later the V6, the better they had as they come with a better manifold design and turbo seal which whilst not perfect, will probably avoid the IPS and blocked manifolds issues I had which meant 3 IPS motors in total and 2 manifolds on a car thats 6-7 yr old and 82k miles.

I have a similar model to Steve in both age & mileage. It is on its 4th turbo seal, the last two being the updated versions. The plastic housing that accomodates the seal is not cracked (From overtightening).

I too, have suffered one IPS (M55) motor failure through oil ingress & my current one is affected but still working.
It is my considered opinion that unless these seals are regularly monitored further (expensive) motor failures will occur.

Fitting the modified intakes will not stop M55 motor failures, only EGR bypass will assist
this & unitil Alex Crowe has formulated this modification for the V6 engines the problem remains.

Simon Barry
 

st4

Banned
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Messages
8,624
Reaction score
13
Location
Sunny Scotland
Website
1-stephen-taylor.artistwebsites.com
Your Mercedes
Disqualified driver
ST4, thank you for your excellent post. If I have paid attention to the advice on the whole of this brilliant if slightly sad thread, I need;

A 2004/5 E270,
A 2004/5 i6 E320.

Earlier v6 320's will hurt me very badly by having failed 7G governors, manifold flap and motor fails and turbo oil leaks.

A 2 yr old E220 would be my best long term bet, but will probably be out of range financially.

I have a batch of watched 270 and 320's on fleabag and have even found my ideal combination of dark blue and light leather. No cars on Pistonheads though, and Trader is not giving me as many matches. The search, thanks to you guys, is ON!

Anyone want a low miles (79k) scabby looking C240? Or a 78k mile old 98 VW Polo 1.4?

;-)

Yep, either the 270 or I6 320cdi is what you need and thats the age of car you want. Then the valeo rad should be not there, and if on the off chance it is £120 buys a Nissens or Behr one and that is that potential issue sorted.

I have a similar model to Steve in both age & mileage. It is on its 4th turbo seal, the last two being the updated versions. The plastic housing that accomodates the seal is not cracked (From overtightening).

I too, have suffered one IPS (M55) motor failure through oil ingress & my current one is affected but still working.
It is my considered opinion that unless these seals are regularly monitored further (expensive) motor failures will occur.

Fitting the modified intakes will not stop M55 motor failures, only EGR bypass will assist
this & unitil Alex Crowe has formulated this modification for the V6 engines the problem remains.

Simon Barry

Manifold replacement is what I had to do, nearly £2000. The seals etc do seem to go, a modified one went on 30k miles before its second fault. Someone on MBC was on seal and motor 4. The later V6s are supposed to be better, but I suspect they are just still too young to be showing fault.

Not to mention the bearing faults, thats two grand.

OP, cheap nice 211 would be a 2004/5 E270cdi or I6 E320cdi. If you could raise more money or borrow over a longer term, a facelifted E220cdi would serve you well and these are not slow.

if you dont care about an MPG, get an AMG. The later 500 petrol V8s 5500cc have timing gear issues. The early ones are solid as
 

malcolm E53 AMG

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
6,992
Reaction score
4,595
Some really good advice given.

To add my twopenneth, I wouldn't discount a late 210 320CDi. I noticed the other day on ebay two 2003 cars were on offer, one a 211 and the other a 210, both 75k ish miles. The really interesting point being that they were identically priced at about £6.5K which says a lot for the older model.

It's also interesting to see that MB are still fixing SBC problems on the early 211 cars, I suppose they are between a rock and hard place on this issue as it is safety related, just another point to consider when buying an early 211.

Hope this helps!
 

gizze

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2008
Messages
2,574
Reaction score
23
Location
Norfolk
Your Mercedes
5 Series Touring + 911 Carrera 4
I noticed the other day on ebay two 2003 cars were on offer, one a 211 and the other a 210, both 75k ish miles. The really interesting point being that they were identically priced at about £6.5K which says a lot for the older model.

Is that what they ended at?

Or is it a case that someone thinks their 210 is worth more than it is?
 
OP
M

MotardMan

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
895
Reaction score
13
Location
Berkshire, UK
Your Mercedes
1995 E320T, S124, W124, Sportline
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #32
Hi gizze, they were both immaculate vehicles and classified ads.

I know the cars in question and am in Dialogue with one of the sellers. A 210 was my original thought as I suspected a low miles 211 to be out of reach... I guess a late run out 210 would be a go I'd bet of the history is there and the miles are reasonably low.

The AMG is out of the question Steve, it would cost more to run than both my current cars added together!
 

tombell777

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Location
England
Your Mercedes
E270cdi
E270!

Hi,

I went to Madeiraast year on hops every taxi is a Merc I went in many e class's which swayed me into buying one
The drivers had done 500000 which is average they reckon 1 million. Miles!!!!
E270 is fantastic I have 2003 mint model can't go wrong, still got 900000 miles left!!
 
OP
M

MotardMan

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
895
Reaction score
13
Location
Berkshire, UK
Your Mercedes
1995 E320T, S124, W124, Sportline
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #34
Found one.

Update at long last.

I finally found myself with a budget, and a car turned up locally that seemed good. A 2004 E320 CDI Avantgarde. Tansanite blue with Sand leather. 94k miles on the STRAIGHT SIX, and the 5 speed auto. Full dealer history up to the last service which was done at a specialist independant.

Drove it, sniffed round it, and paid the deposit. I pick it up on Monday! Spec list below:

vin WDB2112262A494309
whc WDB
chassbm 211226
chass_ident 2A494309
type 211
subbm1 226
delivery_date 040116
engine 648961 30 056469
front_axle1
front_axle2 AL231131162110
heater
interior 835A
lights
model_idx 0
odometer
order_num1 0353772915
paint1 359U
production_num1 7598556
production_order_ref N
rear_axle1
rear_axle2
release_date 040116
retarder 8 040116
transmission 722626 05 053086

Code
M32 CAPACITY 3,2 LITER
U15 Unknown
U16 Unknown
054 YEAR OF MODIFICATION 03/2
213 PARAMETER STEERING
220 PARKTRONIC SYSTEM (PTS)
249 AUTOMATICALLY DIPPING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
287 THROUGH-LOADING FEATURE
289 WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL
354 ANTENNA FOR TELEPHONE D/E-NET
359U TANSANIT BLUE METALLIC PAINT
380 Unknown
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
423 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
500 OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR LH AND RH FOLDING
543 SUN VISOR WITH MAKE-UP MIRROR L. AND R., BE-
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
618 Unknown
668 PACKAGING FOR SHIPPING VEHICLES WITH TIE-DOWN HOOK
690 Unknown
804 AEJ 06/1/M/X
819 CD CHANGER
830A Unknown
835A Unknown
840 DARK TINTED GLASS
875 HEATED SCREEN WASH SYSTEM
882 INTERIOR SAFEGUARD/TOWING PROTECTION
910 DYNAMO WITH HIGHER CAPACITY (FFO)
915 FUEL TANK WITH LARGER CAPACITY
954 EQUIPMENT PACKAGE FOR AVANTGARDE VEHICLES
984 COC DOC., DELETION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOC.
989 Unknown
205B OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
221B INFO PLATE, COOLANT - ENGLISH
250B Unknown
5XXL EUROPE
537L GREAT BRITAIN
359U TANSANIT BLUE METALLIC PAINT
835A Unknown

Название Value
AF1SV
AF2SV
ENGSV
CASESV
AR1SV
AR2SV
TRANSSV
MTRSAC A6480100600

WHOO HOO!

Thank you for all the advice, appreciated. The C240 is being traded in so may live again, but probably not... :eek:(
 

Corned

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2012
Messages
1,470
Reaction score
5
Age
121
Location
East Midlands
Your Mercedes
2005 S211 E320CDI Avantgarde
Straight-six E320CDI estate. Good choice!

Seems nicely tooled up too, so well done. Almost identical spec to mine, except we swapped COMAND for the wood steering wheel and the tints.
 

malcolm E53 AMG

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
6,992
Reaction score
4,595
Glad you've found the right car, the pointers ST4 makes are good ones, also read up on the forum about the SBC braking system so that you are prepared. Other than that enjoy the car, the engine and 5 spd gearbox are a perfect match. :)
 
OP
M

MotardMan

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
895
Reaction score
13
Location
Berkshire, UK
Your Mercedes
1995 E320T, S124, W124, Sportline
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #38
Straight-six E320CDI estate. Good choice!

Seems nicely tooled up too, so well done. Almost identical spec to mine, except we swapped COMAND for the wood steering wheel and the tints.

I don't suppose COMAND is retro fit possiblity is it?
 
OP
M

MotardMan

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
895
Reaction score
13
Location
Berkshire, UK
Your Mercedes
1995 E320T, S124, W124, Sportline
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #39
Good luck, watch for rust, valeo rads and the odd injector issue and thats it really.

Enjoy

ST4, it was you that saved me from the V6 woes, thanks very much! Good call on the rad, will get it checked over as soon as I have the car.

As for rust, it seems pretty much free of corrosion, but I'll be checking the usual places when the car is on my driveway.
 

Peter De La Mare

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2006
Messages
508
Reaction score
1
Your Mercedes
15 reg E63, 14 reg Smart Passion and 64reg Caterham Levante.
I don't suppose COMAND is retro fit possiblity is it?

It's very possible indeed, quite common actually. Alfie of Comandonline can help.
 


Mercedes-Benz Servicing, repairs, engine and diagnostics
Wayne Gates - Mercedes-Benz, Unit F3, Phoenix Industrial Estate, Rosslyn Crescent, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 2SP
Tel: 020 8863 9233
Established for 20 years all vehicles washed and vacuumed.
Top Bottom