W212 Avantgarde vs Executive vs...

[Ridleyrumpus]

What's the actual difference between the models?

If you were buying one what are the things to look out for?

 

[AMGeed]

On earlier E classes (W210) Avantgarde was the top of the range for options along with slightly lower suspension and blue tinted glass.
I didn't realise Avantgarde had been continued onto the W212 model. But if it has, that is the version I'd be looking at.
If possible, get any car you may be interested in inspected by a Mercedes specialist beforehand.

A few things to check. Lots of electrical gizmos to go wrong so check all are working, make sure car is level on all corners if it has air suspension, get one with a full service history, serviced annually or every 15500 miles and by a Merc specialist if not main dealer. You don't want Kwik Fit servicing. All the service records should be on a data base or invoices to prove its been done. Check condition of discs and pads, not too expensive to replace but a good bargaining tool.
Engine should be smoke free, no visible oil/fluid leaks and not rattily. Battery more than 4/5 years old, probably due for a new one soon, also the aux battery in the boot if it has stop start. Avoid Ad Blue models if going for a diseasle. I wouldn't touch a diesel anyway what with EGR's blocked DPFs and Ad blue nonsense.

f you spot one, post a link here and eagle eyed members may spot something.
Finally, no idea on your budget, but look at Mercland in Nuneaton. Jay has plenty of E classes and his cars are top quality.

 

[Ridleyrumpus]

Thanks for that.

Why the avantgarde over others?

 

[AMGeed]

Thanks for that.

Why the avantgarde over others?

It's more luxurious than the basic model.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

This should help with spec:

The W/S212 was the last generation of E class to offer a multitude of individual options so in effect you could order almost any combination all this has now changed and streamlined into packs. For instance my S212 has the sport body upgrade and the luxury ie nappa leather interior and full airmatic suspension etc so using the VIN is useful to see what has been factory fitted to all that generation of E class.

As regards engines IMO the OM642 is the best of the diesel offerings but it’s essential to listen for timing chain wear on start-up and the oil cooler seals will need replacing at some point generally around the 80-100k mark which is costly repair at £800. If you want a petrol V6 equivalent they are as rare as hens teeth.

If you buy the estate they all have rear air bag (part airmatic) suspension so it’s essential to see the car start-up from cold in the morning if it’s sagging and the rear air suspension raises the rear the bags are starting to fail - £600 for replacing the two.

The gearbox should shift relatively smoothly make sure it’s had a 75k miles trans service (or sooner preferable)

Happy hunting - take your time there are still some good low miles examples out there

 

[Ridleyrumpus]

To be honest I had an e280 so that engine? And I had to scrap it due to an oil leak. Good car that one.

So got an E320 and this has been a mare, final straw being another oil leak making the whole uneconomic to repair, shame. Looks great but everything has gone wrong seemingly at once, oil leak, discs and pads, alternator, electric windows, sooty exhaust etc etc. Add it all up and it's better to scrap.

So I was looking at an e250 avantgarde.

 

[Ridleyrumpus]

I was looking at this one

WDD2122032A453831

 

[EmilysDad]

...And I had to scrap it due to an oil leak. Good car that one.

....

That must've been some oil leak!

 

[Ridleyrumpus]

That must've been some oil leak!

To be fair it was getting on and wasn't worth a great deal, still drove great, ate the miles and soak up any rough roads. Just great.

But, on a car that was worth maybe 2k an oil leak that was going to cost 1k, together with other issues just meant I was throwing good after bad, esp as the scrap price at the time was 750..

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I was looking at this one

WDD2122032A453831

Can you put up a link to the advert

 

[Ridleyrumpus]

Can you put up a link to the advert

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

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Looks like a very cared for car probably too good to pass over:

Things missing for me:
COMAND
Sports brakes
Sunroof

but… you could spend a long time looking for something better

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Similar miles:

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

 

[Ridleyrumpus]

Looks like a very cared for car probably too good to pass over:

Things missing for me:
COMAND
Sports brakes
Sunroof

but… you could spend a long time looking for something better

What exactly is comand? And what makes it desirable?

Yes the sunroof is a downer, sports brakes?

 

[SL63 Mark]

What exactly is comand? And what makes it desirable?

Yes the sunroof is a downer, sports brakes?

Comand îs the Mercedes Sat Nav/CD/Infotainment system.

Looks like that car has all those things.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

…and phone + TV (optional)

 

[EmilysDad]

Comand îs the Mercedes Sat Nav/CD/Infotainment system.

Looks like that car has all those things.

Trouble with COMAND is that it needs updating ..... when I bought my ML, I had its COMAND updated and it was years out of date even after the 'update'

WAZE on your phone is better as it's real time

 

[Blobcat]

Looks like a very cared for car probably too good to pass over:

Things missing for me:
COMAND
Sports brakes
Sunroof

but… you could spend a long time looking for something better

Sunroof is something I actively look for a car not to have…

They leak and rust and cause more issues than they’re worth. A non-black interior lightens the inside up without all the issues.

 

[EmilysDad]

Sunroof is something I actively look for a car not to have…

....

I miss having a pan roof like my R Class had

 

[Ridleyrumpus]

Similar miles:

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

True but e350, had two v6s now die on me. Besides I'd like more mpg. £1500 more and private sale with no warranty.

I'd get a years warranty for a few £100 more on the other.

Very basic description too....

Comand îs the Mercedes Sat Nav/CD/Infotainment system.

Looks like that car has all those things.

My old E320 from 2009 had sat nav CD etc but I've ever heard of comand.

What's the difference between the standard sat nav etc and comand? How can I tell, doesn't say anything about it in the vin details.