W211 - A good buy in 2022?

[Noddy 99]

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!

I have no idea how you get those figures. My E280 gets about 26-28mpg in town, 32-ish on 'A' and 'B' roads and only ever creeps above 40mpg in cruise control on a long motorway run...

 

[Uncle Benz]

The old I6 is a tad better than the v6. Only post 2011 v6 with the blue efficiency injectors can better it. My ML with the om642 will only do 32, but my stepfathers ML350 averages 38

 

[DSK]

Those figures are common for the 320 lump iirc and they also pretty much mimic mine for city and motorway use.

I’ve seen a 2mpg difference alone switching changing from one brand of uhp premium tyres to another brand of uhp premium tyres (same size, rating and pressures). In a new Astra cdti over 90k I noticed an easy 5mpg difference between shell diesel and shell v power diesel under like for like driving doing the same daily grind, with many repeated tests. There’s a few mpg straight out of the box there! Then there are other variables such as maintenance, minor leaks that are hard to spot, driving style etc.

 

[iaind]

Thanks all, there’s lots of great advice here! I think it’s definitely the car for me, still torn on the facelift vs non facelift thing but will mull that over. Going older would mean I could get an estate which I’d love…

Anyway, a cheeky challenge if anyone is bored enough. If you were to buy an E class for £4500 and were willing to go anywhere in the UK - any links to ads for the ones you’d gravitate towards? Like I say it’s a cheeky ask so don’t expect any responses unless someone is bored enough! Only criteria is it must have heated seats

 

[M80]

A quick look last eve and from what I see I could buy mine for less than the £4,500 now.
Some would depend on what your set in stone criteria are.

 

[Gazwould]

With buying the facelift it's some issues addressed , better built , more reliable within the 2,000 changes .

 

[iaind]

I always like to try and get the newest car I can for the money too - just find stuff that goes with age more problematic… corrosion, rubber bits etc

Is there a way to tell the facelift apart from the age? I think it was 06(?) but if I’m looking at an 06 reg car I’m guessing it could be either - any visual clues?

Eg This one looks nice



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311992075

 

[mioba]

OM648 and OM613 are very good straight 6 engines

 

[iaind]

Is the i6 as refined as the v6?

I'm fed up with the 4 cylinder ford diesel clatter so smoothness and refinement are quite high up my list of priorities!

 

[Blobcat]

I always like to try and get the newest car I can for the money too - just find stuff that goes with age more problematic… corrosion, rubber bits etc

Is there a way to tell the facelift apart from the age? I think it was 06(?) but if I’m looking at an 06 reg car I’m guessing it could be either - any visual clues?

Eg This one looks nice



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311992075 View attachment 74314

Facelift have chrome around the front foglights

 

[Blobcat]

Is the i6 as refined as the v6?

I'm fed up with the 4 cylinder ford diesel clatter so smoothness and refinement are quite high up my list of priorities!

From inside the vehicle both are very refined (for Diesel) outside both on a cold morning have a diesel sound, V6 probably slightly less. Inside the sound deadening is very good

 

[iaind]

Facelift have chrome around the front foglights

View attachment 74315

Straight forward, factual, the MB forums are definitely a more enlightened place than a lot of others!

 

[iaind]

From inside the vehicle both are very refined (for Diesel) outside both on a cold morning have a diesel sound, V6 probably slightly less. Inside the sound deadening is very good

Thanks! Not too fussed about outside, I just want something smooth and quiet inside that’s got enough grunt to be effortless on motorways etc

Is the change from I6 to V6 alongside the facelift or was it earlier? I could have sworn I’ve seen some 05 cars with a v6

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks! Not too fussed about outside, I just want something smooth and quiet inside that’s got enough grunt to be effortless on motorways etc

Is the change from I6 to V6 alongside the facelift or was it earlier? I could have sworn I’ve seen some 05 cars with a v6

If it is a 280cdi then it is a V6 and yes some came in before the facelift (just to add to the confusion) If it's a 320cdi it could be IL6 or V6

 

[iaind]

If it is a 280cdi then it is a V6 and yes some came in before the facelift (just to add to the confusion) If it's a 320cdi it could be IL6 or V6

gotcha

So the one I linked could be either? Obviously seeing under the bonnet would help!

 

[00slk]

gotcha

So the one I linked could be either? Obviously seeing under the bonnet would help!

I'm sure that link is a straight 6 either last of the pre-facelifts which may have been unsold until 2006??

 

[DSK]

What about an S320/350 petrol/diesel , again just avoid ropey examples.

I think my CLS and previous E350 cdi were highly average for interior cabin noise but, still capable of delivering you refreshed over long distances. The S class is where quiet and refined are found.

 

[iaind]

What about an S320/350 petrol/diesel , again just avoid ropey examples.

I think my CLS and previous E350 cdi were highly average for interior cabin noise but, still capable of delivering you refreshed over long distances. The S class is where quiet and refined are found.

I guess it’s all relative though. My current car is a 16 Ford Kuga. Absolutely fine for what it is, but Ford interior quality with a 4 cylinder diesel isn’t exactly refined. I’m hoping a nice 6 cylinder merc will be miles better!

 

[Binnedit]

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!

Mine is on Ebay . However its gets part exchanged on Saturday

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255334001589

 

[iaind]

Mine is on Ebay . However its gets part exchanged on Saturday

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255334001589

Shame it doesnt have heated seats or I'd be keen!