What 211 to buy 220CDi, 270CDi or the 320CDi

[Steve-T]

Sorry, probably asked a lot of times before, but I can't find a definative answer - I've got a 530d Sport (52) 2002 which I've owned a for a month having sold my 1998 A6 2.4 petrol.

I find the 530 uncomfortable and have suffered back ache for the past month (not hiding a bit of spinal surgery in 2002) The A6 was fine and I guess the answer would have been to buy a newer diesel A6. Economy was the issue. The 530 doesn't really address this at an average of 32mpg.

I can't afford an auto new shape A6 diesel in either 2.0 or 2.7 versions. I don't really want to buy and old shape one, even though the 1.9 auto averages 48mpg (qouted obviously)

So I'm back to the E class. I wasn't going to fork out £8-10K on a 210, so am willing to spend a bit more and get a 211.

The reviews don't read that well with issues with build quality, electrics and the dreaded valeo radiator. I take it that I need to buy a minimum 53reg built after Sep 03 to avoid the valeo problem?

With regards to the mpg, the figures show all three variants to be reasonably similar with combineds of 220@42mpg, 270@41mpg and 320@40mpg. Is it really as close as that.......

I understand that the 320CDi is a bit of a beast. I was concerned about torque convertors failing, but I think this is due to the valeo isssue, unless somebody says different. I have to say the 530d is a very pleasant and powerful car to drive, though I am willing shave off some of the performance for economy.

If I buy a 220CDi will it be noticably too slow or does it buzz along very nicely in normal driving conditions ?

Yes, test driving is the answer, but not always as easy as you'd think. Trying to find a half decent car near enough to me at the right age and a user friendly dealer/seller, even if the car is out of my price range or, not in the spec range, is quite a challenge.

Many thanks if you got this far and even more so if you are able to reply,

Steve

 

[thespirit3]

I'm about to trade in my current C220, and would love a 320 CDI (C or E class) - but, looking at past threads (http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=22744) the 320 doesn't achieve anywhere near its quoted MPG figures.

My C220 regularly hits 50+ MPG on motorway runs. I'd happily lose a few MPG for performance (and understand a heavy foot will have a huge effect on results) but some of the figures quoted in that previous thread really do worry me!

As for the 220, it's a nice engine. It's ~150BHP but of course very torquey and all 'lumped up' within the turbo range. Certainly not slow and a very capable engine - probably the best balance between economy and performance.

I haven't driven a 320 yet though so I can't truly compare the two ...


Steve

 

[Blobcat]

The 320 you would be looking at is the IL6 engine, I had that in my W210 and the average fuel consumption was as per my signature pic according to the computer. In reality I averaged just over 36.5MPG for the 100K plus miles I did in the car. No issues with torque converters or gearbox due to the power.
I have driven the 220 and once it is up to speed it is fine, my friend regularly used to see >50mpg showing on his trips from London to Bristol. My only issue is that I am used to the instant speed hit of the 320 so I wouldn't want to live with the 220. Every time a 320 drove past I would regret not having one.

 

[jberks]

It all depends on what you're doing with it. Blobcats 41 is at an average of 44mph which is close enough to 50. I've never managed to achieve that average speed so my average mpg with mt 270 is lower.
I did have this running from when I bought the car but it was reset at the last service (annoyingly). I was a little higher as I was doing a lot of motorway work, but I think that was still an average of around 35mpg so 41 combined .....not from my experience, unless you're planning on doing 90% of your driving on quiet motorways and don't intend pushing past 80mph.
When I've gone out in convoy with my Dad 211 E220cdi he generally gets 1 - 1.5mpg better than I do so there isn't that much in it. At normal speeds there isn't that much in the performance either. Pushed hard - yes, the difference between each is considerable but pottering around town the 220 has more than enough performance for most.
floor them all at 70+ and the 220 will take off perfectly well, keeping up and where necessary leaving most of the traffic, the 270 will surge away into the distance and the 320 will be a dot on the horizon.
So take your pick.

 

[Steve-T]

Thanks for the replies. I'm thinking it will be a 220 or 270. It depends which good example comes along first. The problem with the 530d is 'I can so I do' when driving. I'd imagine the same will happen with the 320CDI.

I almost keen to find a car that has had a gearbox rebuild as this seems to be the achilies heel of the e class. Much in the same as the gearbox on the 530d can go. My one has a brand new BM fitted one on board.

Steve

 

[jberks]

I almost keen to find a car that has had a gearbox rebuild as this seems to be the achilies heel of the e class. Much in the same as the gearbox on the 530d can go. My one has a brand new BM fitted one on board.

Steve

Gearbox failures are quite rare on the E. Yes, the Valeo issue can bite, but it's easy to check if its a potential candidate (look for the white dot) and if so, either reject or do a glycol test. If it fails the test then reject it, otherwise just get the seller to replace the radiator (not expensive) and that's it. Personally I'd avoid one that's failed and been fiddled with.

 

[Blobcat]

Gearbox failures are quite rare on the E. Yes, the Valeo issue can bite, but it's easy to check if its a potential candidate (look for the white dot) and if so, either reject or do a glycol test. If it fails the test then reject it, otherwise just get the seller to replace the radiator (not expensive) and that's it. Personally I'd avoid one that's failed and been fiddled with.

I agree, apart from the Valeo issue the autoboxes are excellent. An ATF change if one hasn't been done should be budgeted for and the oil seal on the electronic control can leak causing issues however it is pretty easy to fix.

 

[Steve-T]

Gearbox failures are quite rare on the E. Yes, the Valeo issue can bite, but it's easy to check if its a potential candidate (look for the white dot)

What and where is the white dot ?

Steve

 

[jberks]

What and where is the white dot ?

Steve

I'll let Malcolm go into detail, but I believe there is a white dot on the end of the oil cooler that idetifies it as an 'ok' unit.

 

[jubhi]

The 320CDI engine is perfect for me, I wanted good performance as well as decent MPG. I'm quite happy with the MPG on my Merc, especially coming from a Subaru Impreza STI which only gave me 18mpg!!

 

[AnthUK]

As above!Also had Impreza STI previously. The 320CDI is great for me as its well quick. Not quite the tarmac terrorist the Subaru was but not a lot keeps up with it. I get 30 mpg round town, 40 -45 on motorway. Prob more if I did not boot it!!

 

[tpt]

How's this for a thought...

I have an 05 W211 Est 220 CDi which I chipped (see my other posts) - this claims to have boosted the bhp from 150 to 175 and torque from 300 to 400 lbft (or something like that) - and the post chipped engine really is more powerful ..

Buying the smaller engine was for tax reasons as we are moveing to Eire this year which has a completly crazy road tax system - anything approaching 3 lts is over 1000 euro a year to tax ( i kid you not!!)

The chipped 220 cdi engine is fab - great response, happy to pootle, nice and quick when you want it to be, can lug a car and family at fast motorway speeds and guess what - i consistently average 41/42 mpg on long journeys (same as the pre chipped car) - so v happy ... oh yeah, AND its a silver Mercedes so I get one of the points on the 'what women want' list ...

 

[Steve-T]

Is there really anything in the E320CDi auto tip and the E320CDi auto euro 4?

The ordinary auto appears to have a combined mpg of 40 and the euro 4 is down to 36mpg.

For the me the insurance difference between an E270CDi and an E320CDi is £7 a month. The E270CDi auto appears to average 41mpg. If it really is that close, then an E320CDi would be the better bet.

Steve

 

[jberks]

Steve.
The 320cdi in my experience is 4-5mpg down on the 270. I had a 36 vs 40mpg difference on my trans pennine commute.
It's also a lot quicker and more fun and as you've seen costs quite a bit more (20-25% roughly) to insure. Based on running costs I bought a 270 but if the mileage/budget allows, go for a 320.

The only way to choose a non euro 4 car would be to buy an older one as I believe they switched over production during 04/5. Euro 4 having the particulate filter which is cleaner but saps power - hence the worse mpg.

So, you pays your money .....