Newbie wants to buy E class

Hi

Got my first post in the wrong section so hope this is OK.

I'm considering buying my first Merc to replace an aging Omega Elite Estate.

I tow a caravan so I thought a well specified E320 Diesel Estate would fit the bill with all the toys I wanted. After reading the forum I came down on a 05 0r 55 plate with around 70000 miles as being in my price range. Then I read the Honest John link from here and it frightened me to death. What is the possible 11k pounds bill he mentions, and where can I find info on some of the faults he outlined? What are the chances of getting any of the faults at this mileage? Is it worth going to a 2006 facelift to get rid of some of these faults and does this year really solve them, I didn't really want to spend that much.


Dave

 

Yes get the face lift, then little chances of a rad failure putting glycol in the gear box, no SBC brakes, better bodies.

They are a fine car and welcome to the forum

 

Hello and welcome.....informed opinions will follow.

Mic

 

55 reg can rust, mine has. Galvanised my back side.

The £11k bill will be a dealer one for the valeo rad/coolant leak into the gearbox recking it. I know it's xpensive but a recon box job will be £2k. Otherwise it's just rust and odd injector issue. However the facelift is better and if it means a 220 so be it, it will tow ok and is extremely reliable

 

Hi

I believe the Valeo prob was solved by 2005, so is there nothing as expensive on the 2005s, other than of course engine blow up or some other bad luck.

Dave

 

You could avoid the expensive SBC brakes by going facelift, re the glycol problem it was supposed to have been clear from 30-09-03 but many cars came through with the fault for 2 years after that date.

 

Make sure the radiator has BEHR written on it...and think about a 270 if you're getting an older model, it is powerful enough, very economical, and seems to give fewer problems.

 

I love SBC but it's very expensive to replace the pump if the dealer will not pay for it.

Facelift means newer car etc and just less hassle

 

Whats SBC and BEHR?

 

A friend has a 270 2003, 03 plate, and I believe he had the glycol in gearbox problem though MB sorted it at no cost, could be wrong.

Dave

 

SBC is the sensonic brake system that uses a pump to supply the brakes with pressure, all done with an artificial brake pedal, it was a good system in the way it works, but the pumps have a limited life and though they have been replaced free up to now, they are now charging for them and could be well over £1k.

BEHR is a manufacture of radiators, these have not leaked so far where as the Valeo rads had a manufacturing fault. this was sorted but some still came through.

 

Yes they used to but this all stopped back in about 07

 

I struggle to see how anyone who isn't certifiable could pay 11k on repairs. You could be unlucky and need a gearbox but even then, 11k would get you an engine.
The vast majority are impeccable and very few need much at all. I'd personally avoid anything pre mid 2004 as they can be troublesome to be fair, but later ones are fine and post facelift are even better.

 

Mercedes designed to milk us to death!:lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

Do not buy

I had the E320 cdi saloon 2000 model,upgrade the worst car I have ever had in my 46 yrs of driving. Be prepared for large bills, electronic problems,switch problems, and rust..selling them is not easy.sold it and lost a packet,but glad to get rid of it car had done a genuine 65000 miles ,, As they say Buyer beware!!

I reverted back to a 1995 W124 E300D changed it to a 5speed manual removed all the EGR stuff. drives a dream..and I can fix it..
John

 

Hello & welcome. Hope you're enjoying your time here.

 

Hello and welcome.

You only need to be aware of the f word...........

Facelift.

There are few problems and many smiles available with the f word.

There are loads around so choose wisely, based upon service history and option choice.

You could have mine, except (as a facelift) it's so brill that I'm not selling it.

Good luck.

 

Brilliant response John..
Facelifted versions are a very well sorted car..
I absolutely loved the sound system on mine and that was only a standard one..Not the Bose

 

Hi,

You could get a car for less if you go for a large petrol engine. If your yearly mileage isn't high the difference in fuel will be low.

I have a 2004 E500 with SBC (which feels great in use). No rust and no radiator problems and would probably pull a caravan up a wall.

Don't let the bad reports worry you, nobody ever puts up notes saying that their car is good and reliable.

 

Sorry but I find posts like this very frustrating. As is well documented, mb went down the pan between 1998 and didn't fully get their act back together until 2005. So, you (and I ) bought a 2000 e class and got trouble. In my case I bought mine a year old so most issues were done under warranty inc the rust. That said it was reliable enough but as they get older I can accept they become trouble.
However, this guy is looking for a 2005 w211. So as different to a 2000 210 as that is from your 124. Hence to warn him off on the basis of your experience is unhelpful.