E270 CDi or E320 CDi ??

[Mercedes 190E]

Hi All
My Wife now has a car allowance rather than a company car and so has to find herself a car. She wants an E class, and our budget would allow us to get a 2003-6 car from a Merc dealer. (Need the warranty etc).
Question-most of the cars we have seen are either 270 or 320 CDis-can anyone advise as to the real difference in these engines and if we should have a preference ?
Many thanks in advance.

 

[jberks]

Basically get the newest you can - whichever it is. Es continuously improved over that period. Ideally avoid pre mid-04 models as improvements such as galvanisation and nano paint came in then. 05 are more reliable and 06 better still.
I bought a 270 as I could get >40mpg out of it on my old commute. I couldn't get the 320cdi to better 36mpg. Insurance and road tax were also considerably more, whereas the 270 was a bit cheaper in those areas to my previous E240. It all added up to make the decision. plus the nicest car I'd seen in my price range was a 270. Had it been a 320 I'd probably have bought one of those instead.

Whilst the kick in the back on the 270 is great fun and it's quite capable of leaving most things in the dust, the 320 is intoxicating with an almost instant 'select another speed' ability on the motorway - so it's horses for courses. Reliability wise, both are fairly bullet proof.
If you can reach to one, the newer V6 engines are phenomenal with the 280cdi equivalent in performance to the old 320, but with the refinement of a petrol. The 320 is another level and quite capable of eating porches.

 

[Xtractorfan]

I would doubt if your wife would be impressed or even care about the extra poke from the 320, I tend to think both cars need to be driven to appreciate their values, personally I think the 270 is the proper engine for the e class.. tho in reality being a man and loving power i would go for the 320..

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Thanks guys. Going to look at some today. Incidentally, my Wife says she is VERY MUCH concerned about the extra grunt the 320 can offer !

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Result. Bought one from Mercedes Benz Direct. Tealite Blue E320 CDi with:

Comand (With phone)
6 disc CD
Heated memory seats
Full leather
Park assist
Electric steering wheel

Very good price too.....

 

[loukas]

Hey John,

Can you give us an indication of year, mileage and price?

How much of a discount did they give you on the advertised price?

As you may have read elsewhere on this forum, a few of us are looking into buying E220s and taking advantage of the low prices in the current conditions. The above info may help us...

Thanks

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Advertised at £14,999 (50,000 miles, 04 reg) Got it for £12,800 inc warranty, B service and paint/fabric protection.

 

[loukas]

Excellent info! Sounds like £2000 off list price, at least.

Enjoy your new car!

 

[jberks]

well done. Good deal and nice colour too. Enjoy

 

[Dinnie]

Advertised at £14,999 (50,000 miles, 04 reg) Got it for £12,800 inc warranty, B service and paint/fabric protection.

Wow, what price did you start the negiotiations if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Asked for the best price, which was £13,999 Not good enough....they offered 13,200 after much deliberation, not enough.....Finally offered £13,000 as final offer. We offered them £12,800 and again after much deliberation it was accepted.
I should add that my Wife did the negotiating-it will be her car and she is a sales manager after all.....