W212 220cdi vs w221 320 cdi

[turicaraj]

Hey peops.
New to the forum, living in Norway. I’m currently in a dilemma sort of situation as I’m trying to decide on buying a car to fit the need of a soon to be 4 member family and of course my own ego and garage needs too.
The thing is the s320 cdi from ‘06 to ’09 is my dream car of a long time now as I don’t think in my country anything over ‘09 and relatively ok mileage is close to affordable for me. On the other hand is the w212 diesel powered by the 2.2 ltr engine that is also a solid car but very different in user experience than the S series. On the plus side I can get a ‘10 or ‘11 model E class with considerably lower mileage and quite less money than the S class but on the negative side is that I’m not really crazy about the exterior design of the E class of these years. I don’t know much about any of the two when it comes to maintaining but I’ve got DIY skills and a mechanic friend that can occasionally help as long as I won’t need to repair them all the time so that I’ll be forced to lock him in one of the bedrooms to have him around whenever need be.
Anyway, not asking for details as to what goes wrong with each cause those are almost well known by now but more like a general sort of guidance as to which would be the more sensible choice of the two. For the moment I’m looking at a ‘10 w212 with 80k miles for around $16k vs the good old S from ‘07 with 122k miles driven that will cost me around $19k. Which of these will be the more reliable one for the long run? Any and all help is appreciated

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

The E-Class will most likely be the cheaper to run over the long term. Maintenance costs do relate to the original purchase price and a £80k S tends to have a bigger appetite than a £40k E.
Having said that the S is a nicer place to spend your time.

 

[mioba]

An S class all the way, leaps and bounds on another level than an E. You need a budget akin to a person buying new maintenance cost, find a good merc indy and you will be fine.

In terms of reliability, either provided they are maintained per book

 

[DSK]

I'd second the S-Class for similar reasons above, more luxurious and they look better too (to my eye anyway).

I am looking at an E350 CGI tomorrow and previously had E350 cdi. I cannot imagine an E-class with a 2.? engine even if the performance is adequate. Also in my experience, its not overly special. Yes the E class can be driven long distances and you get out the other side feeling fine, they can be reasonably trouble free but, it just doesn't feel like a refined quality in my experience.

 

[turicaraj]

Hello and welcome,

The E-Class will most likely be the cheaper to run over the long term. Maintenance costs do relate to the original purchase price and a £80k S tends to have a bigger appetite than a £40k E.
Having said that the S is a nicer place to spend your time.

Sounds about right that. Should be fine though I have a bit of diy skills and both are easy to work on with the s being easier I think since it has so much ‘under the hood’ space that almost everything is placed in a sensible way. Really ppreciate your reply

 

[turicaraj]

An S class all the way, leaps and bounds on another level than an E. You need a budget akin to a person buying new maintenance cost, find a good merc indy and you will be fine.

In terms of reliability, either provided they are maintained per book

Appreciate your reply. The S is really on another level as a car. That said I too think the S will be my choice when it comes to that and hopefully I won’t be the one telling horror stories

 

[turicaraj]

I'd second the S-Class for similar reasons above, more luxurious and they look better too (to my eye anyway).

I am looking at an E350 CGI tomorrow and previously had E350 cdi. I cannot imagine an E-class with a 2.? engine even if the performance is adequate. Also in my experience, its not overly special. Yes the E class can be driven long distances and you get out the other side feeling fine, they can be reasonably trouble free but, it just doesn't feel like a refined quality in my experience.

Exactly my thoughts too. The E might be a refined car to drive but it doesn’t exactly give you that wow factor unless you’re buying it from a car guy and they spruced it up a bit with wheels, stance and such. To answer your question about it being a 2.2 ltr engine, Norway is really into environmental health I guess so its as easy as finding gold on the street to find big engine cars. Most of the models imported to Norway are the low and medium spec engines and a loot of EV’s. You could find a ‘10 or ‘11 E350 cdi but it would cost you as much as buying two S classes plus the tax and insurance is closer to mars than on earth. Anyway really appreciate your reply, helps a lot

 

[mercmancdi]

I have had a few E 320s and s class , never much trouble with either expect the S air suspension is a pain unless you have a indi
at hand. Also s is big if trying to squeeze into small spaces.
it took me 3 yrs moving from v 6 to 4 cylinder, changing back and forth
But now no fear of the 4 cylinder they have more than proved themselves, great fuel economy
Low tax , can get good spec , only difference is if you really need that bit of extra power. I still in my heart prefer the v6 but my brain now tells me to be sensible, avg fuel price here around me £ 1.34 ltr.
Also if you want a good s class it will cost you and one things for sure you don’t want a bad one.

 

[turicaraj]

Also if you want a good s class it will cost you and one things for sure you don’t want a bad one.

That’s true. The airmatic is actually really easy to service by yourself on the S its just gotten a bad rep because not everyone can diy and workshops charge a kidney to replace them. Of course you’ll have to buy the parts which are far more expensive than most conventional strut and spring assemblies but then again you get so much more life out of them too. The only thing terrifying me is electrics since that’s where I have no experience unless its a remove and replace type of situation. Anyway I’ll test both on a mercedes workshop before I buy them. Better lose a couple hundred beforehand than pour out my pockets by buying a bad mercedes. Appreciate your reply

 

[mioba]

the W221 is not bad on the air struts as the bags can be replaced.
And whichever way go, wither car likes genuine parts...

 

[turicaraj]

the W221 is not bad on the air struts as the bags can be replaced.
And whichever way go, wither car likes genuine parts...

Well genuine meaning mercedes parts I don’t think I can find most of the times as I would have to order them online from Germany but there are plenty of dealerships that offer premium parts in my area so that is not a problem either. I agree with you though the airmatic sustem is relatively easy to repair or replace as long as it’s not a module or a cable that goes wrong

 

[DSK]

Just putting it out there, what about a S350 cdi bluetec?

 

[C16RKC]

I think you should drive them and see what you think. But I think the interior design in the W221 S class is much, much nicer than the E class.

 

[turicaraj]

Just putting it out there, what about a S350 cdi bluetec?

Definitely a good car but unfortunately where I live I’d have to sell a kidney to buy the facelift not to mention tax and insurance is way out of my league.

 

[turicaraj]

I think the interior design in the W221 S class is much, much nicer than the E class.

No doubt about that. Been my dream car ever since I first drove it about 10 years ago. Been lusting after it ever since but never got the chance to buy one unfortunately.