E class Estate or VW

[eyelight]

Had been on the verge of going and buying a 1994 M reg E280 estate this week, but my partner, (she's the practical one) has found a 1998 R reg VW Passat 1.8 20V estate, which has way less miles, just passed it's MOT and been serviced, and is roughly the same price.

The heart wants the Mercedes but the head is saying this Passat is 4 years younger and would probably be far more economical.

Any thoughts from Merc veterans about the relative pros and cons of each.
The Mercedes is from a small dealer who gives a 3 month warranty.

Thanks.

 

[Myros]

The Missus

had a T reg 1.8 20v Passat, for about 80,000 miles. Big as a spaceship, fast as a rocket, really comfortable. The build quality on the Merc is better though, as I'm finding with our 88 300 TE. The 6 cylinder merc lump is sublime. I have the same one in our 280, and it is phenomenal. For that reason alone I would buy the Merc over the Passat.

 

[mattsurf]

I changed from a Passat 2.5 TDI estate to an E280 Estate. Send me an email and I will send you all of the costs including fuel for the 2 cars.

Overall the Passat was not really much cheaper to run (less than 1 pence per mile difference) despite the the passat being a diesel, doing over 40mpg and the Mercedes a petrol doing 25mpg

I would never go back from a Mercedes to a VW

my email address is matthew_spooner@tiscali.co.uk

 

[Parrot of Doom]

You can't compare the rides. The Merc will be far superior. I find VW seats pretty uncomfortable. The steering is pretty vague and the brakes tend to be overservoed. That engine is pretty small and breathless.

Don't believe everything you hear about build quality either. I've owned 2 Audis and the Merc is far better built under the skin.

 

[mattsurf]

One bit of advise with the Mercedes - look around and get the best one you can. The other day I looked at an E300 Diesel on an M plate with 124k miles. It drove really well, was completely rust free and had a stack of receipts (with full air-con overhaul with warranty), mileage was supported by old MOTs receipts and service history. There were a few scuffs on the paint, but the interior was very nice. Engine was so smooth and did not smoke (and I am comparing with my E280), it felt reasonably quick too.

Sold on ebay for 2900 - gutted because I was outbid with 2 seconds left.

Look arround, there are bargains out there

 

[124coupe]

Hi, in good condition, the E280 will be the far better car.

In bad condition, or with faults, the E280 will bleed you dry as major spares are very expensive if you are not into DIY.

If you want the E280, insist that it goes to a Merc independent who knows the W124 cars for a once-over on the ramps including reading any fault codes and a test drive (probably £100 tops).

If it has a poor or missing service history, walk away and find another.

Check the wheelarches for rust on the edges - tends to be a sign of the level of care - if these cars are neglected, mud builds up on the arch rims and rusts
which, although fixable, costs £500 plus to make look right.


The key E-class faults are:

Wiring harness (it MUST have been changed or £800+ cost will hit you).
Head gasket (must be checked, if leaking £500+)
Heater and/or A/C matrix leaks - need the whole dash out to replace.

Don't buy the E280 without a new 12 month MOT (which will check one other major potential expense item, the exhaust cat).

 

[eyelight]

Thanks for all the info and opinions.
All a little academic at the moment as, although I haggled out a price on the Mercedes with the dealer yesterday, I didn't make any firm commitment to the car, and someone phoned him this morning and put a deposit on it without seeing it. He's coming to have a look at the car this weekend.
It might push us towards a VW, but then again, if it snows tomorrow, then it's no time to be going to look at cars.

Had been looking for an M or preferably N reg E220 estate, with a budget limit of £2500, but they seem few and far between at the moment.
Can only see 2 on Autotrader that look passable. A metalic red one in Bristol and a white one in Kent, which looks slightly better. However, my girlfriend refuses to buy a white car. Nothing on ebay either.

A lot of E200's but I read so many opinions that they are underpowered.

The search goes on.

 

[lakeside]

A lot of E200's but I read so many opinions that they are underpowered.

The 200 is underrated. not underpowered. It has 136bhp, the same as the 24v 300 diesel, and nobody says that's underpowered. In fact, having owned both simultaneously, the 200 is far more responsive and quicker off the mark in town than the 300 diesel. The 2 litre is smoother than the 220, and cheaper to insure. Sure, if you're driving up mountains fully loaded, it will have to work a bit, and overtaking needs a bit of care, but around town and cruising on motorways, you wouldn't think it was underpowered. Mine gets me from A to B just as quickly as any car I've owned, and in far more comfort. There's some very good ones on autotrader at the moment within your budget.

 

[eyelight]

Thanks for the info Lakeside.
I should really drive an E200.
We already have an E220 coupe, so I know what that drives like, and I've driven two E280's in the past few weeks, have never tried a 200.
And you're right. There do seem to be a lot on Autotrader.