Purchasing an E Class

[philayl]

Hi All, I am looking to buy a new E Class within the next month, was looking at the C Class but I need the bigger boot space of the E Class. I have found this internet broker "Capital Car Finance" doing a good deal, UK dealer supplied as new, not pre-registered, and all money paid to dealer not to broker, so should be safe there. I know there is a new E Class on the way but I am quite happy to own the present one. Have added deal details below, what do you think, good deal or not?

Vehicle Details
Vehicle Mercedes E-Class Saloon diesel SALOON E220 CDI Elegance 4dr Tip Auto
Factory Options COMAND HDD navigation with radio/6CD/DVD/MP3 player, Linguatronic and SD card slot
Parameter steering
Parktronic system
DAB Digital radio
Harman/Kardon logic 7 surround sound with 12 speakers
1/3 to 2/3 split folding rear seats
Auto climate control
Comfort ventilated front seats
Wood/Leather gear lever
Wood/leather trimmed steering wheel
Metallic - Indium grey
Keyless Go access/ignition system
Comfort suspension
Burr walnut wood effect trim
Leather - Palma grey
16" 6 spoke alloys

Additional Options
Basic Price £27514.89
Factory Options Price £6387.23
Discount £7425.72
Additional Options Price £0.00
Sub Total £26476.40
Manufacturer's Delivery Cost £482.55
Admin. Charge £212.76
VAT £4755.05
Road Fund Licence (12 months) £170.00
First Registration Fee £55.00
ON THE ROAD PRICE £32151.76
TOTAL SAVING £8478.24

 

[Rory]

It's certainly a huge saving!

Any idea how long you'd be keeping the car? If you change every 3yrs or so then you'll probably lose an awful lot of the value of the options. Ask for a PCP quote to see what the car will be worth in 3yrs.

 

[jberks]

Thats one brilliant spec.
Always fancied ventilated seats and parameter steering is well worth having.

I'm a little confused about the command description. I know the C has a HDD based command with a card slot etc but afaik the command in the E is a more basic DVD based system. Based on that, some of the other options may have odd prices. So, I'd confirm the details with them.
Other than that, I'd throw the deal at your local dealer and see what he can do. The E is coming to the end of its run so deals should be getting better.

 

[philayl]

It's certainly a huge saving!

Any idea how long you'd be keeping the car? If you change every 3yrs or so then you'll probably lose an awful lot of the value of the options. Ask for a PCP quote to see what the car will be worth in 3yrs.

Hi Rory, I am 60 now and this will probably be the last car I will buy until I give up driving, so as you can appreciate depreciation is not a problem.

Hi jberks, the Comand is a new one, it does not come out until June, but can be ordered on all new cars as from now. Also the no cost option of 6 spoke aloys is only available from June onwards (although I can't find a picture of them anywhere)

 

[jubhi]

Sounds like an excellent car but as others have said see what your local MB Dealer can do for you first as you may not get as good customer service when you have it serviced etc if you haven't bought it from them. It makes a difference as a colleague at work has experienced in the past.

 

[jberks]

Hi Rory, I am 60 now and this will probably be the last car I will buy until I give up driving, so as you can appreciate depreciation is not a problem.

Hi jberks, the Comand is a new one, it does not come out until June, but can be ordered on all new cars as from now. Also the no cost option of 6 spoke aloys is only available from June onwards (although I can't find a picture of them anywhere)

I can't knock you though be warned, my Dad is on his second 'last' merc now!

But I think you do right. The 211 had it's problems when it was first released but buying now, you'll be getting a really well sorted machine, with a great spec, good economy and a great deal into the bargain. Enjoy it.

 

[stumpy]

Thats one brilliant spec.
Always fancied ventilated seats and parameter steering is well worth having.

I'm a little confused about the command description. I know the C has a HDD based command with a card slot etc but afaik the command in the E is a more basic DVD based system. Based on that, some of the other options may have odd prices. So, I'd confirm the details with them.
Other than that, I'd throw the deal at your local dealer and see what he can do. The E is coming to the end of its run so deals should be getting better.

Vented seats work well. No more sticky back in the summer. Pricey when new though, I am speccing them fr and rear in my new S320.

 

[st4]

The 220cdi is a fantastic engine for the E class. Its a nice spec, leather seats would be nice extra though. I'd snap it up

 

[jon cash]

ditch the 220 cdi and treat yourself to the 280, if its going to be your last take it from me the V6 is twice the car a 220 is, there is very little between the economy either but its a far more refinened unit.

 

[st4]

ditch the 220 cdi and treat yourself to the 280, if its going to be your last take it from me the V6 is twice the car a 220 is, there is very little between the economy either but its a far more refinened unit.

I thought there was quite a bit in it. A V6 will use much more than a L4 with fuel. And with the new age thinking of emissions + carbon foot prints the 220cdi is the one to have IMO. Its also the view shared by What Car.

I have a certain level of bias as I have a 220cdi. The new one has 170bhp, the 280 cdi 190 odd. The 280 engine is also heavier. Therefore there isnt too much in it now. Refinement/noise/characrtisitics the E280cdi will be more refined, but the 220cdi is by no means noise and unrefined. The 220cdi will handle better, less mass @ the front of the car.

 

[len_merclover]

If you can hold on till next august I would hold! The new E class is coming out then!

 

[philayl]

The 220cdi is a fantastic engine for the E class. Its a nice spec, leather seats would be nice extra though. I'd snap it up

Hi, leather is quoted for, second to last item on the list.

 

[philayl]

ditch the 220 cdi and treat yourself to the 280, if its going to be your last take it from me the V6 is twice the car a 220 is, there is very little between the economy either but its a far more refinened unit.

Hi jon, have gone for the 220 as it is more econmical, tax, insurance and servicing etc; as I will be running it on a pension eventually.

 

[philayl]

If you can hold on till next august I would hold! The new E class is coming out then!

Hi len, yes, I know the new E class is out but it is doubtful I will get the same deal on the upgraded E class. Anyway I like the present E class, it looks good and I am told it rides very well.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi,
Good move buying the last of the 211 cars you will benefit from a good discount and should end up with a well sorted car.

I would try the 280/320 before you commit, the engine is superb, driven sensibly the fuel penalty will be negligible unless you do high mileage.

If the dealers keen to do a deal (which I'm sure they are at the moment) try to negotiate an extended warranty as part of the package.

Either way I'm sure that you will enjoy the car.

 

[st4]

Hi jon, have gone for the 220 as it is more econmical, tax, insurance and servicing etc; as I will be running it on a pension eventually.

I run an E220cdi on a modest income, andd find I can touch 50mpg on a long gentle run, and get usually 43mpg on average. I don't think a 3 litre V6 (which is what a 280 actually is) will get close to that. I reckon 38 average, 45 on a very gentle run. C. 10% worse (at best).

I am glad to see you have the leather interior. Personally I reckon if your going for diesel you are aiming for fuel economy, so maxamise that choice....

The E220cdi is by no means slow, and more than adequate for the type of car it is, and more than sufficient for UK driving.

 

[jp williams]

Hi,
Good move buying the last of the 211 cars you will benefit from a good discount and should end up with a well sorted car.

I would try the 280/320 before you commit, the engine is superb, driven sensibly the fuel penalty will be negligible unless you do high mileage.

If the dealers keen to do a deal (which I'm sure they are at the moment) try to negotiate an extended warranty as part of the package.

Either way I'm sure that you will enjoy the car.

Hi Phil,
I live near to you (for part of the year) and I bought one of the last 210`s with a great spec,E220cdi auto est 148bhp for my retirement in 2005.
Now done 96,000 miles with no major problems.MPG lies between 43 and 53mpg.I`m sure you will be delighted with your purchase--just make sure that any problems are sorted out within the warranty period.
Happy motoring as the Esso man used to say.Oh for fuel at half a crown a gallon!!

Regards
John

 

[jubhi]

The new E-Class is not coming out until mid 2009 and and will not be available for sale until 2010 according to various things I have read.

Seen photos of the new car and it looks beautiful.

 

[philayl]

The new E-Class is not coming out until mid 2009 and and will not be available for sale until 2010 according to various things I have read.

Seen photos of the new car and it looks beautiful.

Hi jas, according to the What Car magazine, the new E class is available from September this year.

 

[philayl]

Happy motoring as the Esso man used to say.Oh for fuel at half a crown a gallon!! Regards John

Hi John, I used to work for Gerrard Motors in Wallasey when I was 19 (1966) as a car salesman, I still have a cheque stub from then for three gallons of petrol, total seventeen shillings and ten pence (approx 79p in new pence!).