Finally Started looking for an Eclass

[Matt_EClass]

All, Finally I have started to seriously look at buying an e class. I have a budget of £7,500 to £8,000 to spend. She needs to be a Diesel and Auto / Tip, idealy, a 320 cdi Avantgarde with leather, although at the money I have a good one is rare, or at least trying to get one, without intersteller mileage!

Anyway, I have seen one in the Autotrader, X reg 2000, 320 cdi elegance, cloth trim ;-(, but it looks clean and the price is £6,800 ish. Spoke to the garage selling the car, it has 70,000 miles in the clock and Benz history up to 45,000. Ive never owned a Merc before, so if I was going to get this car, what needs to be done on the next service for the above car, apart from the obvious and waht are the service intervals for this model?

I have also seen a w Reg 320 cdi Avantgarde, silver, black leather, 18 inch AMG's full service history for £6995 which would be the one to have - does the mileage make a difference?

Regards

Matthew

 

[Matt_EClass]

Have I done something wrong in this posting, or asked the wrong questions?

Regards

Matthew

 

[Masaccio]

No good asking me...I'm new here too. I don't think mileage is a big issue on things that routinely do 200k+, and I think service intervals are dictated by how you drive the car...the on-board computer tells you when it's time for the next service and what sort of service it needs. I think. But I've only had mine (X-reg E320 CDi estate) three days, so I'm no expert. Maybe someone who knows about this stuff will be along in a moment.

 

[Blobcat]

I wouldn't be concerned over the mileage as long as it has been looked after and serviced/repaired. 18" wheels IMO can spoil the ride.
Unless you get a really early E320CDI they are all either Elegance or Avantgarde and Auto.

 

[Balal]

E class rust bad (from what i have seen) ? as if the car doesnt have full MB service history it wont be covered by rust warranty, so you would have to pay for the repairs !! Leather interior is a must on these things. you spending so much on a car, and the sort of money you willing to spend, yoou should get a good one.

As mentioned above, mileage shouldnt be a problem, as long as its properly maintained. And personally I would never buy another car from garage, they are very clever people, cannot trust a word they say .... So I would say try private seller (in my opinion).

One of my colleague has an E class on 18" and it does get bit uncomfy on bumps but not on motorways and normal roads......o and they look good as well

So from the choices you have, I would go for the W Reg one.

 

[Matt_EClass]

Hi all, Thanks for coming back to me - I have been doing my research for the last couple of months, originally I wanted the 220 cdi E Class - I have driven one, they are a very nice car, infact the executive car firm I use when I travel on business for work have a Y reg 220 cdi EClass, Elegance with leather and the last I saw it had 370,000 miles on the clock!! all it has had is a head overhaul, but then I drove a 320 cdi, a friend of mine at work has one......I now want the 320 cdi and i'll live with the lower MPG.

I to agree that really, on a car like this you should have leather, so thats what I'll hang out for - the W reg Avantgarde with leather does look very nice, the mileage worried me abit, 120,000 but it has FMBSH and the X reg elegance is missing a service - which I feel on a Benz is probably more worrying. I think I asked in my original note - whats the service intervals for the 320 cdi?


Regards

Matthew

 

[Balal]

I can tell you about my CLK, the service interval is 10,000. I hope thats the same in other ones as well, however, the onboard computer does tell you when to go for service, but i think its just a counter that counts backward from 10,000 and when its done, it flashes and says "time to spend money".

 

[Parrot of Doom]

At that mileage:

Rust (check behind top door rubber seals and around boot lid, wheelarches, under the radiator grille, also the chassis crossmember underneath engine)
Gearbox fluid/filter change (see the DIY guide section) should be done since most dealers don't bother
Engine mounts possibly (also in DIY section), easy job
Replace the battery if its still the original (about £70)

Probably some elements of the suspension will be starting to show their wear, the shocks are going on mine although I'm on 180,000 miles Various bushes might want replacing as well, the anti roll bar drop links (cheap), ball joints, etc.

The rust is the big issue - without a FMBSH you might struggle to get Mercedes to repair it under warranty, so thats a negative point on the car with 70,000 on the clock.

Also check that the aircon is working properly and supplying nice cool air.


By the way, the government's online MOT website will let you check the MOT history of any car, which is useful for checking mileage, advisories, etc.

 

[Blobcat]

whats the service intervals for the 320 cdi?


Regards

Matthew

If using MB spec fully synth oil it should start out at 13,000 to the next service. Depending upon how you drive it the ASSYST service computer can go up to ~18,000 miles before requiring a service. One thing to be careful of is if the car is requesting an A service and then goes over ~13,000 miles it may switch to a larger B service.

 

[Jensen]

From what I've read and seen I wouldn't buy a W210, the rust issue is big although apparantly there are some that are ok.
IMO the w211 is a better looking car and go for one post 03/04 when galvernised.
If I were you I'd either wait and save more money and buy a premium than rush in, or get a higher mileage W211.

The W211 is the next car I want its a beauty.