E320 vs E220 Estate 2007/2008 models

I'm a longtime Audi driver and want to jump ship to try a Mercedes Benz E Class Estate. Current car a 2003 A6 Quattro Avant.

I can't decide between the E320 and E220 models. I'm looking for good fuel efficiency and will be doing a 75 mile each way commute (mostly motorway). What mpg do people actually get and what are the running costs?

Also what are the differences between specs and ride qualities. I'm not allergic to a bit of speed - is the E220 slow???

Thanks guys!

 

+1 with this. Prior to coming to Mercedes, all my cars were Audi ranging from S3, A4 2.0 t and currently the A8 D3 V8. Mercedes is just brilliant and am a proud owner of CLS 500. In terms of interior comfort, they are like the Audi's if not better.

Am leaving this to some knowledgeable guys who will be on here soon. You can count on the expertise of 'developer215'.

I reckon you go with the E320 Cdi, if you want that extra bit of power and fuel efficient motor. Developer215 will enlighten you more regarding this. All in all, good choice of Brand and model of car. Feel free to throw your questions across and grace will be done unto you! Enjoy!

 

Well, here are the official figures for the E220 and the E320 CDI Estates (Facelift models)

E220 -
Fuel Consumption (Urban) - 29.4 mpg
Extra Urban - 50.4 mpg
Combined - 39.8 mpg
0-62 mph - 9.1 seconds
Top Speed - 135 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 16v
Engine Power - 170 BHP
Engine Torque - 295 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 14
Tax Band - J

E320 CDI -
Fuel Consumption (Urban) - 26.7 mpg
Extra Urban - 47.9 mpg
Combined - 37.2 mpg
0-62 mph - 7.3 seconds
Top Speed - 149 mph
Cylinders - 6
Valves - 24v
Engine Power - 224 BHP
Engine Torque - 376 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 17
Tax Band - K

I wouldn't say the E220 was quick, for an E-class Estate I certainly would reccomend the E320 CDI, I do not see much difference between fuel costs however there will be a difference in Insurance costs and tax, do not get too worried over this however, the difference ain't going to be huge!

 

Hello and welcome,,, the 320cdi is well loved all round

 

Welcome to the forum.

The e estate is a great car in both 220cdi and 320cdi form and won't disappoint.

The 220cdi is frugal (expect 45mpg at legal cruising speeds) and less complex than its bigger brother which means lower bills all round. It comes with the 5 speed auto box which most prefer on here. If you do a search on 220cdi problems on this site I think you'll find they are fairly bullet proof.

The 320cdi or 280cdi is powered by a V6 engine introduced in 2005. It has issues with inlet port shut-off motors (do a search on this) and issues with the smoothness of the 7 speed electronic g/box. Having said this I would buy a 2007-09 car as a lot of the issues have been sorted. Expect mid to late thirties mpg on the motorway depending on whether you can resist the power on tap.

Hope this helps!

 

I own a 220CDI estate, 2007 model.

These later W211s have 170hp compared with the very early 220s which were only 150hp. I find the power is adequate rather than impressive, but I don't find it slow. I came to it from an Impreza turbo so it was a bit of a culture shock anyway!

I've driven a 280 and 320 and while they are quite a bit faster, in most everyday driving the thing I noted more was the extra smoothness. The 220 engine is a bit "dieselly" and there is noticeable vibration through the steering. The V6s are much smoother and quieter. If you are a lead-foot, you may prefer the V6 for overtaking poke. I wish I had one when I'm driving on nice A roads in Scotland, but that is only when on holiday, alas.

I get 40mpg regularly from my 220 estate but from others who post on here I don't think the V6 does much less.

For ride comfort, the biggest difference would be whether you go for an Elegance, Avantgarde or Sport (increasingly hard ride). On the v6s I think there are different size tyres front and rear, especially on the Sport. There is no Sport model on the 220s. You may prefer the look of the Sport and I think it gets paddle shift and manual mode on the gearbox, but it does have a hard ride.

To be honest I would have liked to go for the V6 but at the time my budget didn't allow that while still getting a facelift model. But I'm happy I went for the avantgarde rather than a sport. Hope some of this is helpful.

 

I also have an E220CDI - the facelift 170PS version. The 220 is by no means a slow car with 400Nm on tap, but I wouldn't call it "eager" particularly with the auto box. I chose the 220 over a 280 or 320 for the best economy (I do 20k a year and this car is a definite luxury item already), the better reliability reputation of the engine and 5g gearbox, and the better DIY prospects (more room in the engine bay).

I think if I were to have my buying decision over again, I may well go for the 280/320 instead for even more power and refinement, as well as the better specs that used V6Ds seem to have, but it would cost me £500–1000/year more to run in fuel, VED, insurance and tyres.

You can see my overall average fuel economy in the link in my signature (currently a whisker under 40mpg), which is a mix of town and motorway commute. Driven gently within the motorway speed limit, I've seen up to 52mpg indicated on my 45-miles commute — having correlated the computer to real world, that's probably around 49mpg real. Not bad for a barge this size.

 

I've owned both but the 150bhp version and the V6CDI 320cdi.

I've had a fair share of problems with my V6CDi that simply wouldn't happen on a 220cdi. In fuel both cars used roughly the same. The V6 given its capacity and smoothness and performance certainly trumps the economy of 220cdi into touch. Speaking to my specialist, he really rates the 220cdi for trouble free reliability

However, no such thing as a free lunch and the V6 CDi gets you in repairs.

From my experiences its a great car to drive, not such a great car to own.

From my experiences of the 220cdi, the 220cdi is pleasant to drive, not spectacular but great to own.

Mine are saloons and both can get 50mpg if driven gently but in all scenarios the 220cdi is about 3mpg better.

Most people have no big problems with their V6's but from a disgruntled owners view with hingsight, I wish I bought a facelifted 220cdi for complete ease of ownership. 170bhp and 400nm and by no means bad, 220bhp and 500nm do make the V6 driving experience more entertaining, but the 7g detracts from the 320 and 5g adds to the 220.

 

What a great response!

Gentlemen,

I'm truly grateful for all the wisdom you've passed on so far - its a far better response than I was expecting so thank you all for the warm welcome to the world of Mercedes!

I may be best off looking for a well spec'd up 220 from a cost perspective. If I'm looking at a car are there any specific pitfalls I should be aware of?

Thanks once again!

Tom

 

On a 220 no. I'd recommend you drive both to see what you like and search here. The 220 is conspicuous by absence in the engine section as naff all goes wrong on them usually. The v6 does have some problems, it's not a bad unit per se but I doubt it'll be as painless to own.

Spec wise they are all nice with all the nice things standard. A 320 will pack more goodies but for your £ I'd expect you to get a newer 220

 

Interesting thread this, I am currently driving a C220CDi AG and am looking to go to an E320CDi Sport with 7 seat option.

What are the problems with the 3.0D engine and transmission?

 

As st4 says, nothing specific to the 220. All CDIs seem prone to the "black death": the injector seals can leak combustion byproducts up to the top of the engine. It gives a hydrocarbon smell in the car at rest as it comes into the cabin through the HVAC; left long enough, it forms a horrid black tar on the engine that can take hours to clean up.

If you catch it quickly enough, it's an easy and cheap fix if the injector comes out cleanly: I did one myself on my car in under an hour. When buying a new car, open the bonnet, remove the engine cover (pulls off on the 220 facelift and lift off the foam injector cover. It should be clean under there: start the engine and listen / feel for "chuffing" air coming out where it shouldn't.

This is by no means something to avoid buying a CDI for: just make sure you don't buy one that currently has the problem.

The auto box (oh: get one of those, not a manual) should have had a fluid and filter change at 37,500 miles. If it hasn't, allow funds to do that (£180 at my local MB dealer, less at an indy). Mine had run to 72k miles without a change in the supplied service history: I'd not get one with higher mileage than that without a change.

Learn how everything should work in advance. User guide is here:

http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/manual-cars/ba/cars/s211/en/

Make sure everything actually does work: folding mirrors, CD changer, electric luggage cover, boot power closing (all models have "power clinch" to avoid slamming the boot even if they don't have the full powered boot), seat adjustment etc.

If you find a good car, post or PM me details and I'll see if anything suspicious stands out.

 

This interests me as well as I am taking delivery of an s211 E320cdi Sport with 7 seat option next week. 09 reg with only 11k (miles not pounds!).

I'm trading from a 51 reg s210 E320cdi Avantgarde I have had from new which has now done 150k. I will be sad to see her go but have always preferred the look of the 211 and feel it is time for a change.

The 210 recently succumbed to Black Death on 2 injectors, no serious problems until then except rust. MB dealt with that comprehensively (had the car for 6 weeks doing it!) about three years ago free of any charge, and the rust has not re-appeared.

In researching the 211 I had intended to go for an Avantgarde for a smoother ride and narrower cheaper tyres but the majority of post facelift cars for sale seem to be Sports with the 18 inch wheels and 265/35 tyres on the back. The one I have gone for has Airmatic which I hope will give the look of the Sport with the ride of the Avantgarde with Airmatic on comfort setting.

One point I would make which you may not be aware of is that taking 4 children plus wife to sit in the car there is considerably less room in the back of the 211 versus the 210. There is so little room around the rear facing seats in the boot I almost dropped this from my required spec sheet. These are definitely for occasional use by small children whereas you can get adults in the boot of a 210 when necessary.

I think there is less room as the 211 has a longer bonnet and a less boxy tail both of which improve the look in my view.

 

Commonly the inlet port shut off motor failing and worn linkages in the manifold. I've spent £1419 fixing this.

A bearing can fail in the bottom of the engine, cheap part, but about £2000 in labour. Not that common.

The transmission, valve bodies can fail, expect to pay over a grand to rectify that. Whole unit rarely fails but its a step back from 5g in smoothness and costs.

 

Hotdatum,

I have little to add to the advice and comments which have already been given. You really should try to get a drive in the 220 and 280/320 to make the comparison for yourself.

After years of driving V6 petrols, I bought a 220 CDI and found I just couldn't get on with the diesel noise from the engine. No problem on the open road when all is serene, but the 220's are a bit gruff at idle and around town. One comment which appears all the time about the V6's is their refinement / smoothness in comparision with the 220.

There are plenty of very happy 220 owners (with good reason - they are excellent cars) but only you can assess if the more refined V6 is worth the premium. It was / is for me and in retrospect I made a 'mistake' going with the 220.