Your thoughts please E320 CDI or S320 CDI from 2003

[S320cdi]

Hi,

New to this forum and would like to know your thoughts about these two cars

1st E class 320CDI 2003 with 90k mileage.
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/uv...'VehicleDetails','680','530','201011354805405

or

2nd S class 320CDI 2003 53 plate (facelift) this one done 90k mileage as well.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../radius/100/page/1/postcode/da146rq?logcode=p

1. What do you guys think of of both?

2. How up to date are the maps on the S320 navigation? Are there any updates?
I did make a search on the forum about navigation updates/maps but didnt find much. This 53 plate got a wide screen sat/nav, is that a TV as well?

3. How reliable are those engines? I personaly think that 90k for a Merc is easy?

4. Are all S class come with Suction doors?

How easy is it to verify the mileage? I think the E320 looks realy pretty with the cream leather but its much higher priced than the S.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi,
Both cars look a good buy, usual checks and inspection carried out. The cars share the same engine which looked after will do high miles, the trade speak very highly of the IL6, and it has a reputation of being a very strong engine.

The E320CDi is a very well specced car and looks very nice. At 89K the price looks OK, try and negotiate extra warranty if poss. Out of the two cars this would be my choice.

The S class would not appeal, mainly because of the air suspension which I think is a problem waiting to happen on older cars.

If you go for the E Class make sure the auto trans has had a fluid and filter change and that the rad is not a Valeo (glycol issue, do a search on the forum) and all should be well.

Hope this helps!

 

[S320cdi]

Many thanks for your reply, how bad is the air suspension on the S class? And would the E be much better comfy than the S air suspension? As I did read here and there that the S class suspension does not feel well on bad/bumpy roads/asfalt?

 

[jberks]

The E does look nice. It's nice to see one that isn't silver!!
The 'very high spec' is cobblers though. It's got a sunroof and xenons that's it.
No heated seats, no parktronic and probably no cd player. Certainly no 'high spec' bits like command, phone prep etc and it's an elegance which is less popular. However, you may prefer the lighter wood and softer suspension.
The S is nice too but as Malcolm points out, its a £50,000+ car and maintenance in some areas will reflect that.
In either case, the engine is just run in. Ensure that the glowplug light goes out within a few seconds and it has full history and runs properly but assuming all is well, it should give many more years and miles of trouble free service.

The other word of caution is that 03 wasn't the greatest year for MB. Its at the end of the dodgy period that started in 1998. I normally recommend late 04/early 05 ->
My Dad has an 03 E and has had electrical issues and a couple of corrosion problems whereas my 05 model is pretty much trouble free, despite having had to work much harder.

Heed the Valeo warning and check carefully. If it has a Valeo rad, I'd be tempted to walk away. Ensure everything works and no warning lights and insist that its checked out by an MB specialist including checking for any error codes logged.

 

[S320cdi]

Are smaller engines like 220cdi or 270cdi chain timing belt?