E class Purchase

[HJHPH]

Good morning all, I currently own a 2002 c220 cdi and am thinking of replacing it with a facelifted E220cdi. What are the pros and cons for this car, does the 7 speed auto box on the 280/320 negate the additional fuel consumption of the V6?
Also my local dealership informs me that the Brabus "economy" chip ads 4-5 mpg to the 320 cdi, has anyone any experience of this?
In a nutshell, logic would tell me that the E220 is more economical than the 280/320, (fuel consumption is paramount to my purchase) but is it it substantial enough to discount the other two?
The are some good buys in the dealers now, any other good places to buy?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Paul.

 

[television]

On a heavy car the power to weight ratio can put the larger engine in front,, this has always been the case with MB as they are heavy. For motorway work the difference is not so great as once the car is rolling it balances out a little

 

[jberks]

not much in it as far as mpg goes, though yes the 220 will be better but only by maybe <£100 a year if you worked it out. Road tax will also be higher as will insurance but all by small amounts.
I had a 'new' 220 out yesterday and I can say that it compares well with my 270cdi in terms of performance. Possibly it needs few extra revs but for pick up, yes it seems to have the same bhp. It still announced itself as a diesel though and this is where the V6 cdis come in. They are in a different class when it comes to refinement and add in the 7 speed boxes and it's a much harder choice. Drive both but in my opinion if you can get an equal deal on a 280/320, do it. You won't regret it.

 

[HJHPH]

Afternoon gents and thanks for your comments. I have driven an 08 E320CDI with the sports pack and loved it, however servicing, tax, insurance and fuel costs would probably make it a touch expensive for my budget but will investigate.
Have yet to drive the E220.
Thanks again
Paul.

 

[Blobcat]

I am getting 36.77mpg based on actual fuel used rather than the trip computer for my face lift W211. I think that the fuel economy would be better however we have to meet the Euro IV which means a particle filter which uses fuel to burn off the particles. My Previous IL6 E320CDI averaged 36.59mpg so the new one is better. The 220 should be more economical assuming you don't drive it like you wish you had the 320....
I think the 7 speed box probably improves economy ~1,600 revs at 70mph. I think your dealer is trying to sell the Brabus chip rather than thinking about economy. Whilst it might show more economy on the trip computer I doubt in reality that would be the case. Which is why I work on fuel used rather than the sometimes optimistic and sometimes very pessimistic trip computer.

 

[hawk20]

Not quite the same, but I recently bought the estate version of the 220cdi and went through the same agonising over 280 or 220.

Had a decent drive in both and to my surprise the 220cdi really does an amazing job. I just cannot believe it is only about 2.2 litres. Loads of torque and remarkably quiet and refined.

The 6 pot V6 is a wonderful engine. The quietest, smoothest diesel ever in any MB. I had the S320cdi straight 6 before, which is a super engine with prodigious grunt but the quietness of the new V6 is amazing.

But is it worth the extra money? And if buying secondhand there seems to be much less choice. I decided the 220cdi was the better bet for me and there was plenty of choice at remarkable prices (like 2008 demos with 6k miles on the clock for £15k below list from official MB dealers. Great value).

Try both. Both are great.

 

[Blobcat]

Not quite the same, but I recently bought the estate version of the 220cdi and went through the same agonising over 280 or 220.

Had a decent drive in both and to my surprise the 220cdi really does an amazing job. I just cannot believe it is only about 2.2 litres. Loads of torque and remarkably quiet and refined.

The 6 pot V6 is a wonderful engine. The quietest, smoothest diesel ever in any MB. I had the S320cdi straight 6 before, which is a super engine with prodigious grunt but the quietness of the new V6 is amazing.

But is it worth the extra money? And if buying secondhand there seems to be much less choice. I decided the 220cdi was the better bet for me and there was plenty of choice at remarkable prices (like 2008 demos with 6k miles on the clock for £15k below list from official MB dealers. Great value).

Try both. Both are great.

A couple of months ago another Mercedes owner on my the industrial estate was offered a loaded E320CDI Sport Estate pre registered with 0 miles for £29.5K from main dealer, I expect that it would be even cheaper now...

 

[HJHPH]

Hi Guys, thanks for the comments, I will probably lean towards a E220, I love my C Class which was my first Mercedes and drive them comparatively on a budget so finances are an issue.
Recently saw a 2007 E220CDI Avantgarde auto, leather, heated seats Parktronic and Pre wire £18k with 16000 miles so there are some good deals to be had. (miserly PX though)!
Paul.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I decided the 220cdi was the better bet for me and there was plenty of choice at remarkable prices (like 2008 demos with 6k miles on the clock for £15k below list from official MB dealers. Great value).

Sound advice throughout. You mentioned that economy was important for you, from which I infer either high mileage or better still high motorway mileage?

I support Malcolm's comment that sometimes the larger engine option does the car more justice and can be more economical. However, the point was made that once up and running, the 220 has no real disadvantage on motorways (nor indeed in heavy, slow moving traffic).

What has impressed me most is Hawk's final comment and I have been amazed by the tasty deals offered on pre-registered and ex demo 220 CDI Estates in our local dealer (Stratford upon Avon), generally including COMAND, 'phone prep, leather, auto box and of course the Avantgarde has Xenons too - all for well short of the list price. Worth doing a websearch for such a car. Driven sensibly, they can exceed 50 mpg.

 

[GCLTuning]

ECONOMY Re-Map up-to 11 MPG more and proven !

Kind Regards GCL Tuning

 

[Dosco]

Sound advice throughout. You mentioned that economy was important for you, from which I infer either high mileage or better still high motorway mileage?

Driven sensibly, they can exceed 50 mpg.

I Drive a number of different 220CDI's some with the 6 speed manual and others the 5 speed auto box - the former have between 250000 and 325000 miles on them and driven sensibly will return 55 and more if you are really 'light on the right' the auto's have around 80000 on them and I struggle to get 40/45 mpg. When I get back into my E240 petrol 'barge' boy don't I notice a difference in acceleration and of course MPG.

 

[hawk20]

I Drive a number of different 220CDI's some with the 6 speed manual and others the 5 speed auto box - the former have between 250000 and 325000 miles on them and driven sensibly will return 55 and more if you are really 'light on the right' the auto's have around 80000 on them and I struggle to get 40/45 mpg. When I get back into my E240 petrol 'barge' boy don't I notice a difference in acceleration and of course MPG.

I take it cars with that kind of mileage have the older 220cdi engine which has much less power and torque than later ones. Acceleration on newer 220cdi's is pretty good. See MB website.

 

[stumpy]

The 4 cyl diesel is still quite noisy from outside the car compared to the 6.

 

[hawk20]

The 4 cyl diesel is still quite noisy from outside the car compared to the 6.

Yes. The new V6 diesel is so quiet few 'normal' people can tell from a petrol -even with the bonnet open.

The post-facelift 220cdi is pretty quiet too. Not at all intrusive.

 

[Dosco]

I take it cars with that kind of mileage have the older 220cdi engine which has much less power and torque than later ones. Acceleration on newer 220cdi's is pretty good. See MB website.

The 220cdi manuals are 4 years old and the auto's are between 8 and 18 month and without doubt the newer models are much quieter and quicker off the mark All are 4 pot engines which surprised me when I found out as even fully loaded they still put up a thumping good show.

Most if not all of the work is done on the motorway so the mileage the fact that the manuals are still running with their original clutch and gear box shows what can be done although I recall whilst working in the Fatherland the Merc diesel 'town' taxi's we used seemed to be quite 'happy' even though they had upwards of 800,000Kms on them mind you I had no idea if the running gear was still original.

 

[stumpy]

The 220cdi manuals are 4 years old and the auto's are between 8 and 18 month and without doubt the newer models are much quieter and quicker off the mark All are 4 pot engines which surprised me when I found out as even fully loaded they still put up a thumping good show.

Most if not all of the work is done on the motorway so the mileage the fact that the manuals are still running with their original clutch and gear box shows what can be done although I recall whilst working in the Fatherland the Merc diesel 'town' taxi's we used seemed to be quite 'happy' even though they had upwards of 800,000Kms on them mind you I had no idea if the running gear was still original.

A bit like Triggers broom perhaps :wink:

 

[Top Cat]

A bit like Triggers broom perhaps :wink:

lol I loved that quote

Another question from left field now: the V6 240 engine seems reputed to be a strong unit, would it wear 200k (or even more) miles well?

 

[Dosco]

A bit like Triggers broom perhaps :wink:

10/10 for that one stumpy

 

[gizze]

http://www.broadspeed.com/#

They are sourcing new E280cdi's with £15k off list.

Have Mercedes started to offer a run out model yet?? must be just around the corner now.

Bet we will see auto, full leather, bluetooth and comand and a wheel upgrade as freebies pretty soon.
Throw that in the mix with £15k off as well and it starts to look appealing.

 

[st4]

My pre facelift 220cdi can comfortably break traction when requested. I'd love to see what the V6 models can do

Mine isn't the most refined car in the world, and at 70mph is reving a little over 2k revs. By 90 its virtually on 3k revs. However its still quiet enough and for most drivers ample enough performance, if you go in for the "wild overtaking" style of driving then a V6 will be better for you but if your pace is average then the 220cdi is the car for you.