E Class

[HJHPH]

Hi Guys, still looking for an E220 CDI Avantgarde facelift with pre wire and Parktronic.
I have seen an Elegance that fits the bill but I was wondering what the Elegance loses out on to the AG or whether or not it's worth waiting for an AG with the spec I require.
Thanks
Paul.

 

[jberks]

Hi Paul,
The key difference is that the elegance doesn't have xenons as standard. Also, the suspension is softer and in reality more comfortable but it does wallow a bit when cornered. Everything else is cosmetic really - different coloured glass, different wood, alloys (elegance are nicer that the std ag ones imho) etc. Elegances are normally priced below AG's ( I think it was a cheaper option) so the price should reflect that.
That said it does depend on what the original buyer specced as I have a friend with an elegance with the same suspension, same size wheels and same xenons as my ag.

 

[HJHPH]

Hi Jberks, thanks for the reply, I think the one I have seen has Xenons but also has Parktronic, Pre Wire and heated seats. Not sure if it has adaptive headlights? I know what you mean about the wood trim, I think the birds eye maple is much more subtle than the walnut.
Pual.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Hi Paul,
The key difference is that the elegance doesn't have xenons as standard. Also, the suspension is softer and in reality more comfortable but it does wallow a bit when cornered. Everything else is cosmetic really - different coloured glass, different wood, alloys (elegance are nicer that the std ag ones imho) etc. Elegances are normally priced below AG's ( I think it was a cheaper option) so the price should reflect that.
That said it does depend on what the original buyer specced as I have a friend with an elegance with the same suspension, same size wheels and same xenons as my ag.

I 100% agree on all points. Worth trying both as suspension is a very personal choice - I had a friend with a S**B who said he felt the suspension on my W211 AG was too hard and would have put him off buying such a car.

The xenon lights are the key differentiator, IMO, and very different they are too.

 

[jberks]

At the end of the day I suspect you'd get used to whichever wood you had. I never really liked the dark wood in the 210 ag but I agree it does look good in the 211. This is the first ag I've had after 2 elegance models and previously went for the elegance because of the refinement, nicer ride and nicer wood, but they always felt a bit cumbersome when turning into a street or round a roundabout which is where the ag comes into it's own. Then again, down a pot holed and bumpy local road (most of them) I sometimes find myself wishing I'd bought another elegance. That said, I also have 17" alloys and the stiffer of the 2 ag suspension packs which makes a difference to the ride and tends to tramline so my experience isn't typical. My Dad has an E220cdi ag after years of elegance spec models and with the std suspension and 16" wheels has never commented on the ride.

 

[HJHPH]

Thanks for the comments guys, I have driven an AG but not an Elegance. I enjoyed the ride in the AG I thought it handled well for it's size, perhaps I will try an Elegance over the holidays.
Have a great Christmas guys.
Paul.

 

[loukas]

HJHPH, what year and what budget are you looking for?