Shopping for a replacement for my 280TE

[alastairadams]

Hi,
I am in the unfortunate position of having to replace my 280TE. It's got 270K on the clock and still goes like a train but some prat drove into the back end whilst it was parked (made mince meat of his Citroen however!). So I've been looking at the possibility of a diesel, may be a 300 turbodiesel or a 320CDi, but I don't know anything about these. Anyone got any suggestions, recommendations or advice? It's probably going to be a W210 from around 1998/1999.
Much appreciated!

 

[BlackC55]

rust rust rust rust and more rust on a 210

 

[alastairadams]

Rust rust rust

Thanks, do they all do that or was there a point/year at which this was fixed?
Cheers

 

[Hibbo]

Mate, you will not find a bigger fan of older Merc estates and diesels, but I don't think I can advise you to buy one of these.

Sorry.

Get yourself another w124

 

[hawk20]

Thanks, do they all do that or was there a point/year at which this was fixed?
Cheers

Yes. 2003 was the year Mercedes went over to full galvanising. But earlier than that, (you need to search other threads), around 1999 I think, they introduced a 30 year guarantee against rust from the inside (i.e. does not cover stone chips, scratches, accident damage etc). If you buy a car with full service history (I would buy no other), Mercedes will put right any major rust problems. There are numerous threads showing they do this. The problem in the late nineties was the move to water-based paints for health and safety reasons. BMW also had its share of problems with these and also went over to full galvanising around 2003/4. Oddly you will find on some threads people with E class cars from the problem period, who have not had rust issues. Even down here by the sea I meet people with no rust problems. It is all very odd and a bit unpredictable.

But ideally go for a 2003 onwards.

 

[alastairadams]

rusting-on-sea

Thanks all for your help this will help me narrow down the search. When you say full service history are we talking about FMBSH or just FSH? Either way it's certainly worth talking to a seller about. Beyond the rust however does anyone have any issues r.e. the 320CDi/300td engine or the overall build of the W210?
Cheers

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks all for your help this will help me narrow down the search. When you say full service history are we talking about FMBSH or just FSH? Either way it's certainly worth talking to a seller about. Beyond the rust however does anyone have any issues r.e. the 320CDi/300td engine or the overall build of the W210?
Cheers

I had a W210 E320CDI and was very very pleased with it. More power than you need, better economy than you expect and very comfortable. I did not have any rust issues however with the FMBSH I had they advised that the door tops would benefit from some attention so they booked it in and did it.
The 320CDI engine is more powerful and with better economy than the 300td it is also a lot quieter.

 

[alastairadams]

Thanks Blobcat, very helpfull. I'd like a W211 but I don't think it's going to happen for a few years!

 

[hawk20]

Thanks all for your help this will help me narrow down the search. When you say full service history are we talking about FMBSH or just FSH? Either way it's certainly worth talking to a seller about. Beyond the rust however does anyone have any issues r.e. the 320CDi/300td engine or the overall build of the W210?
Cheers

Yes, sorry, I meant FullMBSH

 

[Marco Polo]

Have a look at

www.ccbenz.co.uk/30621/47307.html

to see what you can still get if you look around in the W124 range.

I have a W210 E240 estate but think I would enjoy this W124 E280 better.

Like you, I'm saving my pennies for a W211!

 

[RGubbioli]

Have a look at

www.ccbenz.co.uk/30621/47307.html

Great website, thanks!