Newbie questions. - lots of E class related questions.

[sedge]

I'm a newbie on this board, and am considering purchasing my first MB.  I'd like a little bit of advice before I decide to take the plunge into the secondhand market.

I live in Bristol, and can't seem to find any local independent MB specialists.  Does anyone know of any good ones in the Bristol area?  At a push I'm willing to travel to Andy Gayle in Birmingham, but I'd prefer someone local.

I'm considering an 'E' class estate (97/98 ish), do all trim levels/versions have 7 seats or is it an optional extra?

I can't decide which engine to go for.  I quite fancy a diesel for cost benefits, but I also would like OK performance.  Which engine should I go for (I can feel myself being drawn to the 300TD)?  Alternatively which engines should I not touch with the proverbial barge-pole?

THe only information I've found on servicing so far, is that it needs to be performed every 9k, is this the same for all engines?

When are the E-class big services due?  I want to ensure that the vehicle I buy isn't soon due a big one!

Finally, should I buy from a Mercedes dealer or from a run-of-the-mill garage?  What 'real' benefits would Mercedes Direct bring me?

Sorry for the list of questions, but I've been hunting around the net for the last few days, and just can't seem to find any answers....

regards,
Ian S.

 

[Guy]

Newbie questions.

I'll try and answer some of your questions (- I run a 7 seat 300TD!)

7 seat is an option. Try and find one, you'll hardly pay any more for it now. Fantastic option, proper seat belts, and kids love it.
Performance on the 300TD is excellent - once its moving, the massive torque is awesome, economy is excellent.
My advice would be avoid 4 cylinder engines.
You can check when the next service is due by pressing the dashboard buttons - it tells you service in x000 miles - one spanner small, 2 spanners big.
As to dealers, IMHO the service history and provenance of the car is the most important aspect - DO get an independent check, whether AA or RAC or even MB -
When I was buying my first MB, it was at an independent garage - it needed a 'small' service. The local dealer agreed to collect it, service it and deliver it back, as well as giving me a written assessment, all for a fixed price.
Good luck - be patient, you'll find the right one!

 

[sedge]

Newbie questions.

Thanks for your help Guy.  Are you saying that the service intervals are not fixed, but are generally dependant on some electronics deciding when a service is due?

I'm mostly worried that I'll buy a car to find that 3000 miles later it needs an engine out service, so I'd like to know when the big services should be due......

 

[Jim_C180]

Newbie questions.

"Engine Out Service" ?

You dont need to take the engine out for a service. MB's usually have two services, an A service or B service. The A service is the intermittent or minor service, usually around £80-£100 at a main dealer. The B service is a major service and can cost around £250 upwards I think.

The service Assyst on newer MB's works out the service interval depending on the way the car is driven e.g. stop start or long distance trips, time and mileage.

As Guy has said, there is a button on the dash `O` that you press to reset the odometer, if you press it twice quickly it tells you how many miles till the next service. One spanner means an A service is due, two is for a B service.

 

[sedge]

Newbie questions.

"Engine out service" - just what happened to my Volvo 2000 miles after buying it secondhand - £500 just to change the timing belt/chain - ouch!  On the Volvo you had a 'normal' service every 10k and a major (engine out) service every 60k........  It sounds as though MB don't need to remove the engine for any servicing (which is nice ).

 

[Anonymous]

Newbie questions.

Hi

I was wandering does that pressing the 'o' button work on older model mercs i.e 124 series 1989 230te?

Thanks for your help

 

[fuzzer]

Newbie questions.

Im affraid not , it was only on the newer ones . I think yours is 9000 fixed intervals.