Looking to buy a e320cdi... help please?

[dannyfiveforty]

Hi, I am new to Mercedes cars and need some advice. I am after a e320cdi estate approximately 5 years old. It must have leather and not be green!

I currently drive a BMW 540i and have never owned a Mercedes before.

What should i be looking out for on an E class estate when i decide to buy, I have heard that mercedes cars rust quite badly, is this true for a 2002 E class estate?

Also, what other things should i be looking out for?

Thanks everyone, i look foreward to your responses

Dan

 

[jberks]

Hi,
It goes without saying that service history is king.
Assuming its been looked after and things like the gearbox oil have been changed (MB kept changing their minds on whether this was necessary but we all recon 60-100k max) then you should have a pretty reliable car.

2002 was a changeover year. Rust was still a concern but by 2002 things were getting a lot better,- many 210s of that era are perfect but do check it over carefully. Tops of doors under the rubber seal, around the boot lock, wheelarches etc and get someone to check the front crossmember.

At that age you have a choice between the last of the 210 and first of the 211 E's though you may be a bit early for a 211 estate. As with most end of run cars, the 210 version should be bullet proof. The early 211s did have a few electrical gremlins that can get expensive.

All Es were galvanised by 2004 and my mid/late 2004 most of the gremlins were sorted so you have a rust free reliable car if you can get to a late 04 model. Given the way the used car market is at the moment, you may get a better deal than you expect so perhaps a year younger could be a possibility.

 

[dannyfiveforty]

Thanks jberks thats most helpful, because like i said i am totally new to mercedes cars and need as much info as possible

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Hi,

At that age you have a choice between the last of the 210 and first of the 211 E's though you may be a bit early for a 211 estate. As with most end of run cars, the 210 version should be bullet proof. The early 211s did have a few electrical gremlins that can get expensive.

Given the way the used car market is at the moment, you may get a better deal than you expect so perhaps a year younger could be a possibility.

Heartily agree on all points, but these 2 in particular. "Run out models" are a favourite of mine - snags have been eliminated and they often come with tasty extras to help sell them off, though this is rarely reflected in the price, so a bargain to be had.

The earliest 211s, on the other hand, might suffer from gremlins, but most should have been rectified by recalls, or under warranty. The 211 series are reputed to suffer flat batteries if left a couple of weeks without use (for example, at the airport when you are on holiday), but that was not my experience.

A late 210, with excellent spec, and perhaps a bit cheaper that the 211 would be a very solid purchase. Full service history is vital as has been said - mileage on the other hand need not be a great limiting factor.

Good hunting.

 

[jp williams]

I have to agree as I have a "run out" 210 (E220 cdi auto est )with excellent spec inc Comand.
Done 100,000 miles and according to the computer has given 50 plus per gallon over last 3750 miles.Always exceeds 50mpg on journeys of more than 50 miles.
Had to replace EIS (TWICE) AND DASHBOARD PIXCELS all under warranty.
Since then only had to replace one glowplug,one headlamp bulb and one numberplate bulb.

JP

 

[st4]

Budget

Hi, I am new to Mercedes cars and need some advice. I am after a e320cdi estate approximately 5 years old. It must have leather and not be green!

I currently drive a BMW 540i and have never owned a Mercedes before.

What should i be looking out for on an E class estate when i decide to buy, I have heard that mercedes cars rust quite badly, is this true for a 2002 E class estate?

Also, what other things should i be looking out for?

Thanks everyone, i look foreward to your responses

Dan

As always this comes down to what your willing/able to spend on the car.

Would a newer W211 270Cdi be a better bet. W211 is an altogether more modern, and better car. Its much safer and the 270cdi is the one to have IMO.

2004 onwards is your best bet, and hold out for one of those. They are galvanised so won't rust nearly as readily as the W210, more reliable than an early W211. W212 is coming out next year, so the current E class is very soon to be old hat, which will mean values will drop/deals to be had etc. A w210 will then be 2 models old and a very dated design.

I notice you have a V8 5 series. Is this an E39 car. The W210 won't be as good to drive, but the W211 will be at least its equal. Would you opt for a petrol E class? You'd be able to get more "bang" for your buck and a car thats newer for the same level of money.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Totally agree with everything said, some really good advice.

I've been running an X plate 210 E320CDi in-line 6 for almost four years now and even though I've had to recently fork out for a new set of injector nozzles (6 in total) @ 60K miles I would have another. If you go for the last of the 210s you will get the same engine as the 211 pre 2005. If you can afford a little more the 211 post 2005 with the V6 diesel is the one I would be looking for, as the others have said there are bargains around at the moment, or wait for the new model which will immediately devalue the 211.

Hope this helps.

Oh, and keep a £1K float for the unexpected.

 

[dannyfiveforty]

Thats fantastic guys, really appreciate the help

 

[Blobcat]

The 2002 W210 estates were upgraded quite nicely, just do it is my best advice.

 

[RadarUK]

I did just that, sold my E39 540 for an '04 E320 Cdi estate. It drives better than the 540 did (540 was SE, E320 has Airmatic DC so maybe not a fair comparison). So far so good. I can see why the 211's were regarded so highly.

Mine is march '04... will that be galvanised? How do I check?

 

[Blobcat]

I did just that, sold my E39 540 for an '04 E320 Cdi estate. It drives better than the 540 did (540 was SE, E320 has Airmatic DC so maybe not a fair comparison). So far so good. I can see why the 211's were regarded so highly.

Mine is march '04... will that be galvanised? How do I check?

It might be, pls take a look at this thread.

 

[stumpy]

It might be, pls take a look at this thread.

Nothing rides better than an MB on air

 

[dannyfiveforty]

Thanks for all the help guys, however, I bit the bullet and went for a W220 S320L cdi (on airmatic) It came along at the right price so I couldnt refuse it. So far Im really impressed!

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks for all the help guys, however, I bit the bullet and went for a W220 S320L cdi (on airmatic) It came along at the right price so I couldnt refuse it. So far Im really impressed!

Nice car, just a little difficult to park in normal parking spaces due to the length.

 

[stumpy]

Nice car, just a little difficult to park in normal parking spaces due to the length.

Correct, and multi storeys can be a bit wince inducing though the car does have a very good turning circle. Mine is going on Friday and I'm really gonna miss it.

 

[AnthUK]

Top car they are. S500 better though very thirsty.