E300TD or E320CDI

[bigboymod]

Hello all, from a newbie.
I have been very impressed with this site during my surfing for cars and it has prompted me to put forword the following:

I'm at last in the position to look at buying a newer merc. Currently I drive a 1990 E200 saloon and want a 7 seater estate. I had kind of decided on the E320CDI as I like the shape and spec but having read a few of the threads I'm wondering whether to go with the best spec low milage E300TD / can find!
Little concerned regarding the rust on early 320's plus the issue with the radiator. although one would assume that a car covering in excess of 100,000mls would have had the remedial work carried out.

I love my current E200 but think a diesel would be more economical as I plan to keep it for many years. Also want 7 seats, leather, air con, (none of which I currently have) and if a newer model, electric memory seats.

So my question is, which one is going to provide me with trouble free motoring for the next 10 yrs / 100,000mls as I have so far become accustomed to?

 

[jp williams]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM.
Do not overlook the E220 cdi.
It will probably do all that you wish and be cheaper to maintain.

Regards

John

 

[Iain the gadget]

300TD without a doubt. That engine if looked after is bombproof without all the electronic this and electronic that!

 

[bigboymod]

Anyone know how easy is it to find an E300TD with electric seats?

 

[230K]

Hi

They are both good, cdi is a big leap forward over the TD both will cover huge miles if looked after. The cdi injectors can give probs but i wouldnt let that put me off. Rust will be your biggest concern with both. I assume you are chatting about a car from 1997-2002 the 210 shaped car.

Do not expect a huge difference in economy over your current car, turbodiesel estate will average around 30 mpg with the cdi maybe 10% better. On a 500 mile trip of A roads and Motorways you might and it is a big might get 40mpg out of the turbodiesel if you set the cruise below 60 mph.

I wouldnt narrow your search down too much and insist on electric seats but everything is possible. Not a lot of these cars left with under 100k miles.


230K

 

[bigboymod]

Interesting mileage figures there. Many thanks!

Yes, up to 2002 would be the year I was looking for, and all seem to have around 100,000 or more which I have always been told is no problem for a merc diesel.

I'm really dubious about ending up with a dud CDI - what with all the fancy electrical goodies that I really want! - is there a checklist of bits that should need checking before purchase (particular warranty work, known faults etc)?

 

[simon_wall69]

With the 300td check that glow plugs have been changed as they can be very problematic to remove - can be cylinder head out job; there is also a common problem with air leaks in the fuel lines but this is easily repaired with replacement o-rings on the fuel lines. Also, they can get rattly with the shock absorber on the belt but this isn't much to worry about either.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Owned my 320CDi for 4 years and 30K miles and wouldn't swap it. Sure there are problems with rust on some cars but just walk away if you see a bad one.

The engine is a gem and almost as responsive as a petrol, I average 33-34mpg with mixed motoring. There are no real issues with the engine apart from injector wear which is easily sorted but expensive at £125 per unit.

Find the best spec you can, mine is fully loaded barring COMAND which I wasn't too bothered about. You can easily retrofit the seven seats so don't let that put you off the right car (plenty around at breakers now).

As regards maintenance make sure that the gearbox oil is changed if it has not previously been done. The autoboxes were supposedly sealed for life but MB now agree that the fluid should be changed at 60K (make sure you use MB fluid). Apart from that just make sure that the book is stamped up. Pollen filters can be a problem as they tend to be neglected due the fact that they are a service extra.

Both great cars but the newer CDi models are in a different dimension.

Hope this helps!

 

[bigboymod]

Excellent! Thanks chaps.

Does anyone know if it's possible to retro-fit the integrated rear child booster seats - and where you might buy such things second-hand? I would certainly appreciate those in my 'dream spec' car!

(Or am I hoping for too much now!)

 

[television]

Excellent! Thanks chaps.

Does anyone know if it's possible to retro-fit the integrated rear child booster seats - and where you might buy such things second-hand? I would certainly appreciate those in my 'dream spec' car!

(Or am I hoping for too much now!)

Lots of breakers out there, and some excellent cars,,Like you I love the goodies, and there are plenty of loaded cars out there, one will always show up, so take your time, its a buyers market

 

[mattsurf]

The Valeo radiator is not an issue on the W210 320CDI - so won't be a problem on any car you are looking at

I can easily get 40mpg out of my 320 CDI estate - every week I travel from Birmingham to Southampton, running between 70-80 mph at 5am

I would certainly go for the 320CDI, it is a much better car alround. The facelift was a big improvement, it also scored much better on the NCAP crash test

If you find out how to get the integrated booser seats retro fitted, please give me a call as I would like this as well

I have now covered over 40k miles since buying mine at 113k miles. I would expect to replace the glow plugs and springs as they break. The springs are relatively cheap and should cost less than £500, they will transform the ride.

The other benefit of the CDI is the service interval, I am getting over 18k miles between services

 

[bigboymod]

Will do Mattsurf.

Thanks for help guys. Just need to find the right car at the right price!

 

[230K]

Hi

I have the integrated rear booster seats and they are defo top class, we have 5 kids albiet one is over the min height now but it is so so so much less cluttered than having those horrible boosters bouncing about the back when kids are not sitting in them.

The boosters i got from Ebay for £99 they are black leather while my seats are black cloth. They fit in seconds. Your existing seat squabs just click out when you pull the red handle that becomes visible when you tilt them up. Integrated booster seats just clip in place of your normal seat squab.

Conversion from normal to raised seat is simple when adults get in.

230K

 

[iain.mason]

Hi

I am a newbie today.

Just bought a W210 1998 R plate E300 TD Elegance (blue leather/air/cruise/front headlight washers) with 110,000. 2 owner car with fMsh (supplying dealer + Tony Purslow). Great car. Goes like a dream/bomb and is economical. Cheap to insure too. Some stone chip rust to underside of wheelarches directly above the wheels but if you find a good bodyshop they can cut the arches in with some TLC which is what I am doing so don't be put off by that. I paid £2,395 but it had a great pedigree. Love the car.

I need to buy new alloys and tyres so does anyone know where I can get a second hand decent set?

I would like to get front seats (blue leather) with lumbar supports too - does anyone know where I may be able to get these from.

Many thanks,

Iain