S211 - but which one ?

[SteveTDCi]

I’m currently playing the Autotrader game, I’m looking for a large comfortable auto estate to replace my current mk3 Mondeo estate.

most of the time it will be doing short journeys but it will also be used on long runs. A 220cdi would be fine but most at my price point of around 3-4K are either the straight 6 320cdi or the v6 280cdi.

which is the pick of the range ? And is it better to go for the facelift cars that avoid the famous abs pump issues

thanks
Steve

 

[mersum1es]

You won't get OM648 (I6) without SBC brakes. OM642 (V6) has issues of its own. OM646 has pretty good reputation but power of 6-cylinder is something you love and no going back to 4 cyl after test drive of both lol

 

[bembo449]

id go for the 320cdi myself but if doing a lot o running about consider a petrol model , they are fine cars and most defo a level or 3 up from a mondeo

 

[LostKiwi]

Look at where you are likely to want to go.
If you're looking at city centres as part of your journey petrol is the only real option as diesels of that age are either non compliant or will soon be non compliant.
A 320 is the best if the petrols but beware balance shaft issues on the M272 engines and get one outside the affected range.

Of the diesels the om648 is a tough old lump and arguably slightly better on fuel than the later om642 V6.
The OM642 can suffer issues with oil cooler leaks (cheap part but big labour costs), swirl flaps, turbo actuators and inlet seals. None are horrendously expensive for parts but they are common issues.

SBC should be treated as a consumable. If you have to replace a pump it should be good for 100k miles.
Pumps can be refurbished for around the £300-400 mark by our own JohnnySBC on here.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome, others have covered the points......

 

[SteveTDCi]

Thanks for the reply's, to be honest the old mondeo isn't a bad old bus, it gets abused and has served me well for the last 2 years. IDeally i'd prefer the 6 cylinder, i'm not adverse to having to replace the SBC pump given they can be rebuilt, i guess the older straight 6 would be better in that when driven to work its about 2 miles each way. I'm aware of the potential DPF issues but a lot of them that we see at work are usually because people do not service them or ignore warning lights.

How does the 280 compare to the 320 V6 and is the old 320 I6 any good ? I was originally planing on a S212 but that changed when I decided we were going to run a Mustang for a year. Its also the reason why i'd avoid the petrol given they would fall into the same £565 per year tax band.

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks for the reply's, to be honest the old mondeo isn't a bad old bus, it gets abused and has served me well for the last 2 years. IDeally i'd prefer the 6 cylinder, i'm not adverse to having to replace the SBC pump given they can be rebuilt, i guess the older straight 6 would be better in that when driven to work its about 2 miles each way. I'm aware of the potential DPF issues but a lot of them that we see at work are usually because people do not service them or ignore warning lights.

How does the 280 compare to the 320 V6 and is the old 320 I6 any good ? I was originally planing on a S212 but that changed when I decided we were going to run a Mustang for a year. Its also the reason why i'd avoid the petrol given they would fall into the same £565 per year tax band.

The IL6 is a great engine

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

The IL6 is a great engine

So is the M113K


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[Blobcat]

So is the M113K


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Although neither inline nor 6...

 

[LostKiwi]

Although neither inline nor 6...

You can't have too many cylinders....

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

My advice (applies to all engines) - buy 2007-09 cars they are the best of the 211s. If this is out of your price range don’t discount the 270cdi 5 cylinder engines they are both economical and powerful.

 

[SteveTDCi]

The V8 would be nice but the intention is to run a V8 Mustang for a year, just to scratch that itch.

 

[MJJ]

As a counterpoint to the quite sensible, and understandable I6/V6 love - I bought an unloved '09 E220CDi S211 8 months ago for a third of your budget, and have been very impressed by the powertrain. Mine was specifically bought as a cheap extra car to tow, and is often loaded at its full 4,400kg train weight including a 1,900kg trailer. Small engine copes perfectly fine, and will easily do 50-60mpg when not loaded. Sounds poor compared to the 6 cylinder of course, and there is very little in the realistic end of the automotive world that matches the accessible, relentless shove of a 3.0 6 pot diesel.

After many years working in engineering at Jaguar Land Rover, I would always recommend the facelift model years of any car. This is when the manufacturers package together all the incremental fixes, improvements and replacements for engineering aspects that bit them during warranty periods. In my opinion, the facelift S211 looks quite a lot more modern than the pre-FL, though perhaps that is my bias as the aesthetic changes are very small.

As others have said, diesel is being demonised and to be honest, the Euro 4 and 5 level diesels that were new at the time we are talking about probably do deserve a little support to replace. Trouble is, petrol 211s are very rare.

Martin.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

^ totally agree the 07-09 E220cdi is the best MB out there at the moment for value and durability

 

[JBell]

Petrol one

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...nesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

Diesel one

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...nesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

 

[SteveTDCi]

I don't disagree about the E220 but they tend to be lower spec. I've currently got my eye on 2, both just over 4k, both have very good specs, one has the benefit of a sunroof but Elegance (i don't mind this), the other has HK and is the AMG Sport ...

 

[andys320]

Recently bought a 280cdi 09 and very pleased with it, had a 2003 S320cdi with in line 6, gearbox in that seemed more responsive than 7 speen on newer car, which takes a second to kick down a couple of gears.

Refinement, maybe going from a S to E, not much in it for me. May be different if compared in same chassis. Mine has a reasonable spec, comand, cornering lights, leather, lovely car and I don't feel I've downgraded.

Ride seems as good as S tho on 16" not 18".

I bought a facelift on the basis that fewer electrical faults and mechanical issues resolved, also no SBC. Don't however think you'll be guaranteed no rust, check carefully/