not sure what to buy any advice

[lapat]

hi there new to the forum so hello to everybody

im looking at buying another merc e class(owned a few int the past)
and i realy cant make my mind up on which model to buy

the models im currentley looking at are 53 plate upwards eclass diesel.....
either the 220/270/280(have to be cheap) or the oustanding 320cdi and i wont buy one without comand

any of you owners out there that have one of the above models i would greatley appreciate your feedback on the models listed above as at the momment im getting a lot of mixed reviews and there is nobody better to ask than current owners.
i really want the 320 but we do a lot of town driving so i was concerned about the fuel consumption but if any of you can quell my fears on that one it would be greatley appreciated......

and thanks in advance for all your feedback

 

[Blobcat]

A 280 won't be cheap as it is the new 3ltr V6.
If you really want a 320 buy it, otherwise everytime you see one you will wish you had bought one instead of a 220/270. I have seen 49.5mpg on the trip computer in mine which whilst it over reads a bit it averages 40mpg on the trip and 36.5mpg in reality (based on 100k miles in 3.5yrs)
This has come up quite a few times on the forum so it is worth having a search around.
MB give 12 months warranty on cars <100K miles (if you buy from a dealer) however you may get a newer one from an independant still with some of the MB warranty left (3yrs) which gives you all the protection and a newer cheaper car.
How much £££ are you looking at spending?

 

[jberks]

I agree with the above. The 320 is the best really. That said, the 220 and 270 are excellent too. The fuel consumption for the performance on the 320 is excellent, though I wouldn't class it as an eco car.
I bought the 270 because the fuel economy is better by 3-4mpg (matters on 30k+ per year), insurance quote was £100 cheaper and I could get a better spec, year younger 270 for the same price as the 320 I was considering. I'd had a 320 on loan and the economy was a bit disappointing, returning 5mpg better than my gas guzzling 240v6. Then again, it was a lot faster! I'm not sure I'd ever tire of that kick in the back you get from the 320 but then the surge off the line from the 270 can still strain your neck muscles. On the 220, I've said this a few times already, the 220cdi is surprisingly impressive. Far quicker and than I expected and I think smoother and quieter than both the bigger variants. Well worth a test drive, if only to rule it out for performance. I've certainly never heard anyone call the 220cdi underpowered. I'm sure the 280 is very nice, but as it#'s the new V6 3.0 they can still be a bit pricey and i'm not sure about mpg.

I also erred away from command as, whilst it is an impressive looking toy, in true practical terms, it is little better than a tomtom and has less expandability and his harder to operate without even simple things like full postcode entry or uploadable POIs. Plus, if it goes wrong (and they do) its very expensive and takes your phone and stereo down with it. Each to their own and if money was no object I'd have a 320cdi with command, but then again, if money was no object, I'd have an E55!

 

[lapat]

i was looking at max £23k and i have been to mb manchseter today and one of the salesman offered me a late 55 plate 320 advantagrde with leather in tealite blue but not much more spec than that for £25k and it is on mercs website for £27k they had it up for £26k boy was i tempted.
however i have been shopping around and i have come across a massive specced 270 on a 04 plate for £21k with comand and a 53 plate 320 with really good spec for £20k both with comand and both done around 50k

i still cant swing either way and im gratefull of your comments but maybe i should start a poll lol no really someone help and push me in the right direction

one point to mention it will do more round town than on the motorway

 

[jberks]

The general rule is go for the youngest you can, especially where mercs are concerned. The younger it is, the better the quality will be, plus a years MB warranty is worth a fair bit too.
All depends on how stretched you are, but I suspect the 320 was such a good price due to the lack of toys. Well specced ones do tend to command a premium as against 270s who have the fact they are a 270 held against them so need toys to bring the price back up. As a guide, I paid more than that for a decent spec 54 plate 270 last year so it's impressive for a 55 320 now. It's odd that toys never command their value when trading in, but suddenly seem valuable again when they are selling to you!
To be fair, a 270 is plenty quick enough and personally I find anything really fast eventually frustrating as there are few places you can actually use the power, especially round town. The 270 will certainly never embarress you and sitting in a jam watching a dvd is a nice thing to do. There is 1 further option. Get a 270 and budget £400 for a chip or smartbox which will bounce it up to the same output as a 320!

I suspect that the mistake you are making is trying to justify your decision logically. You've done the logic bit and chosen an E class. Now for the emotional decision, what toys and what engine. Drive both and see which you fall in love with. Actually - one thought. The 320 came with parameter steering- a real boon round town making the car far nicer to drive - check whether the 270 has this - it's the one thing I wish mine had.

To confuse things further, if you are doing pure round town then mpg becomes a bit irrelevant - why not consider a petrol? When you do the sums, the premium commanded for a diesel takes 30k+ to get back on economy - you could save your money and get a 320 petrol instead. Silky V6, lots of toys normally (as the owner isn't bothered about cost) and similar performance, or even an E500! If I did <10k I'd be tempted!
Just athought!

 

[lapat]

now you have threw a spanner in the works a petrol....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! especially as im am a mad petrol head...no no no i need to buy a diesel(watch this space ill be back next week with a v6 petrol)...
thanks for all your advice but i now need to go and test drive lets hope i can find a dealer with both 270 and a 320 in stock and hope hes a patient as i will probaly test drive there cars and shop around for the best spec and deal i can get

 

[lapat]

listen all i would like to thank you for all your help and advice
but im that peeved with being messed about with Mb dealerships and there arrogant sales people im afraid i have jumped ship back to the other german car dictator
hopefully i will be back in a couple of years depending on the manner and appeal of walking into an over polished mb showroom

 

[Schtum]

I have just done a deal on the E' with a very friendly gent for a very fair price. I would not have got that from a MB dealer. Spread your net far and wide.

 

[munroist]

I have recently bought an 18 month old 220cdi Elegance E Class leather from the main dealer in Manchester 7000 miles on the clock for £23000 only went to have a look. I have had it 6 months it is joy to drive you only pass this way once. If you can afford it just do it.

 

[Rory]

I have recently bought an 18 month old 220cdi Elegance E Class leather from the main dealer in Manchester 7000 miles on the clock for £23000 only went to have a look.

That sounds like it was pretty good deal, especially from an MB dealer.