W211 - A good buy in 2022?

[iaind]

Hi All!

I'm taking advantage of having a boring 2.0 diesel SUV thats not needed much due to my new job being a walk away, plus the current high values meaning I can sell it and walk away with a profit after 2 years. I'll want to replace it with something relatively cheap (circa 4k) as we're getting an EV salary sacrifice scheme at work soon, but even once its in there might be a year before something actually arrives!

So I'm after something spacious, powerful and with a proper quality interior - fed up of every car I've owned having cheap plastics! Always loved MB, only had a brief flirt with an R170 SLK that I rescued before but really liked that. The BMW 5 series is overpriced and the E60 is pretty grim, the audi A6 is pretty dull.. so that leaves me with the W211. Rear seat space rules out the W219 CLS unfortunately. I'm not too worried about maintenance or the odd bill but I dont want something thats constantly broken.

So does the W211 still hold up as a decent buy today? They're all 280/320CDI - I'm not bothered which as I'd probably get a remap anyway. I know the facelift cars are much better so I'm mainly looking at ~08 models in Sport specification with sub 125k miles. This one is probably top of my list

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I'd prefer an estate but they seem to be much older for the budget. But just wondering generally what people thought of these cars at ~14 years old? I just want somewhere for holidays and weekend days out thats quiet, comfortable and with a decent amount of power.

Am I barking up the wrong tree completely here?

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

I did 100K miles in a face-lift W211 E320CDI - had it from 3 months old and it was a great and comfortable car. Very well represented on here and whilst the engine can have a few minor issues it is a great package overall

 

[00slk]

I have had 3 s211's and all been great cars, though the last has needed quite a few new parts so now is pretty good and has good spec for the low budget Classic range. The L6 320 engine is superb and in the estate form a good choice. Unfortunately the straight 6 ended in 2005 the V6 superseded it. I think the V6 is another great engine.
I'd opted for an s211 320 estate with as many options as possible

 

[dry run]

Loved my 07 E320 CDi

Judging by the door cards, the one shown seems to have proper leather as opposed to Artico "Pleather".

 

[Wighty]

This is my thread on E320cdi ownership , had it for 12 years now . Currently on 116k . Stunning car

https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/8-years-with-80k-on-an-e320cdi.163395/

 

[Noddy 99]

Yup. Loving my 2009 E280 CDI Sport Estate!

Just be aware: the Sport models come with lowered and stiffened suspension. Ideally, I'd want a softer ride but this was the best car available at the time. If you downsize your wheels, you can't go below 17" as it has oversized calipers.

 

[Binnedit]

There are some nice 3 litre petrol E280's out there

 

[Blobcat]

There are some nice 3 litre petrol E280's out there

I can recommend the M272 engine...

 

[LostKiwi]

Depending where you intend to drive my choice for reliability would be the I6 320 diesel.
If you intend going into towns and cities petrol is the choice I'd make as at least for now they're ULEZ compliant. The only thing about the petrol engine is to go as late as possible to avoid the balance shaft issue that affected early M272s.

Given your expected usage fuel economy shouldn't factor much.

 

[mioba]

Solid cars I say. Go for a 320 and dont bother with a map.

The car shown is alot of car for 5k and its just broke in engine wise.

Take the jump and go for one.

Spend your time searching you get a good landscape of prices and options. Then you will know which to plump for.

 

[DSK]

I don’t have the 320 engine in the CLS and I’d say E class is what you want for usability. The 320 as mentioned has a few known areas but they are well documented and easily sorted by good diy folks or specialists. The 320 is a tried and tested unit.

I would also say getting a decent one, I’d be inclined to keep as a dependable inexpensive vehicle as a daily or backup.


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[M80]

We only have the 2.1, so not your targeted mo mo.
Having had 2 v6's, in a C and Viano, I prefer the 646 engine for greater simplicity, reliability and consumption.
Our 211 is somewhat retro but a superior drive.

I don't entertain saloons, it's a 2009 example at approx 130k miles. Only paid £2,700 10 months ago, and wouldn't part with it for £4k.

 

[S500 Pete]

Hi All!

I'm taking advantage of having a boring 2.0 diesel SUV thats not needed much due to my new job being a walk away, plus the current high values meaning I can sell it and walk away with a profit after 2 years. I'll want to replace it with something relatively cheap (circa 4k) as we're getting an EV salary sacrifice scheme at work soon, but even once its in there might be a year before something actually arrives!

So I'm after something spacious, powerful and with a proper quality interior - fed up of every car I've owned having cheap plastics! Always loved MB, only had a brief flirt with an R170 SLK that I rescued before but really liked that. The BMW 5 series is overpriced and the E60 is pretty grim, the audi A6 is pretty dull.. so that leaves me with the W211. Rear seat space rules out the W219 CLS unfortunately. I'm not too worried about maintenance or the odd bill but I dont want something thats constantly broken.

So does the W211 still hold up as a decent buy today? They're all 280/320CDI - I'm not bothered which as I'd probably get a remap anyway. I know the facelift cars are much better so I'm mainly looking at ~08 models in Sport specification with sub 125k miles. This one is probably top of my list

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

I'd prefer an estate but they seem to be much older for the budget. But just wondering generally what people thought of these cars at ~14 years old? I just want somewhere for holidays and weekend days out thats quiet, comfortable and with a decent amount of power.

Am I barking up the wrong tree completely here?

Don't ignore the E500. That V8 is still a classic. I had 11 happy years with mine and the combination of comfort and speed was fantastic.

 

[iaind]

Solid cars I say. Go for a 320 and dont bother with a map.

The car shown is alot of car for 5k and its just broke in engine wise.

Take the jump and go for one.

Spend your time searching you get a good landscape of prices and options. Then you will know which to plump for.

Thanks, the only reason I was thinking about 280 with a map is just availability. There’s a few nice 280s around but the 320s for the same price are a few years older and a bit tattier. I can get the original 320 map if I wanted to keep it fairly “genuine”

 

[iaind]

Don't ignore the E500. That V8 is still a classic. I had 11 happy years with mine and the combination of comfort and speed was fantastic.

If one came up I’d definitely look at one! But I’m not even seeing any petrol V6s for the price so not sure I fancy my odds!

 

[mioba]

take your time op

 

[iaind]

Depending where you intend to drive my choice for reliability would be the I6 320 diesel.
If you intend going into towns and cities petrol is the choice I'd make as at least for now they're ULEZ compliant. The only thing about the petrol engine is to go as late as possible to avoid the balance shaft issue that affected early M272s.

Given your expected usage fuel economy shouldn't factor much.

Wouldn’t the potential issues of the earlier cars with the I6 mitigate any reliability improvement in the engine department? Everything I’m reading is saying to make sure to get a facelift to avoid SBC issues and electrical gremlins

 

[LostKiwi]

Wouldn’t the potential issues of the earlier cars with the I6 mitigate any reliability improvement in the engine department? Everything I’m reading is saying to make sure to get a facelift to avoid SBC issues and electrical gremlins

SBC isn't the big deal people make it out to be.
We have it on our SL and it's been fine. In most cases a pump refurb can be done for under £400 and once done shouldn't need doing again for around 100k miles. Look at the pump as a consumable like discs and pads.
Electrical gremlins are less expensive in general than the known issues of the OM642 (swirl flap motors, turbo actuators, oil cooler seal for example).

 

[DSK]

I would be inclined to agree, things like SBC, oil cooler seals are just one of those things you do once in a while/blue moon that cost just a little more than a £100 fix. The fact that these should be the only big ticket items outside routine maintenance, it’s nothing to keep a healthy car ticking along nicely that otherwise won’t let you down.

I even think nothing of the quote I just had for 2 new air struts on the w221 yet the internet and classifieds will have you thinking the car is scrap.

How much do people **** up the wall on dealership diagnosis repeatedly and still have ongoing unresolved issues or, get modern stuff that quickly sees them thousands down on an array of minor repairs…… makes healthy old cars the wise mans choice IMO.


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[Uncle Benz]

I’m still driving my 2004 E320cdi. Inline 6, almost 160,000 miles now, so nearly run-in. It’s the most comfortable thing, almost like driving your favourite sofa. It’ll do 38-39mpg on my 10 mile commute and it’ll touch 50mpg on my monthly run from Horsham to Rye. I love it!