I'm toying with the thought of replacing my 530d touring as its getting a bit long in the tooth. I'm looking for another estate so that I don't have the dog clambering all over the upholstery, With the sensible head on I was originally thinking along the lines of Mondeo, 407 or possibly an A4 to give me the practicality of a decent sized car with decent fuel economy. However I keep getting drawn back to the adverts for Merc E class

W211's, the interiors look lush, big and roomy and they have gadgets galore. They also seem to be good value at the moment with 2005 -2006 models available for about 6k to 7k. Thats a lot of car for the money. Has anyone had much experience with them, is there anything to watch out for and also what would be the best diesel model to go for.

 

:blink: knowing me in 2 years time I will still be driving around in the beemer

A friend had one, albiet an E500. It was massively unreliable and cost him a fortune in repairs.

I think that model is from the Mercedes cut back era so things not so well built. What's the best replacement to an old 530d? a new one!

I think that model is from the Mercedes cut back era so things not so well built. What's the best replacement to an old 530d? a new one!

 

But then In speaking to some of the BMW guys the E39 is a superior build to the newer gen cars. Plus I'm not a fan of the later model interior the Merc dash is way more classy, or am I just getting too old to keep up with new designs

Im a massive Bmw fan, but.... My dad is into his merc's and has had a w211 from new, 9 years! Longest he's ever had a car.

 

To be honest, its a great car, hence him not changing it.

His is the E320 CDi, which is the one id buy. 220/230bhp? Its fast, comfy, 42+mpg on the motorway (he doesn't drive slow) and low 30's around town.

The only problems he's had really are the injector seals, but its not an expensive fix, just changed the o rings.

He's snapped a couple of coil springs, and he's had new shocks, but he drives it hard and its done 145k miles or so now.

It had a new autobox under warrenty.

 

In short, id buy one!

 

He'll never sell his, as its worth nothing now, so he'll keep it until it dies.

But then In speaking to some of the BMW guys the E39 is a superior build to the newer gen cars. Plus I'm not a fan of the later model interior the Merc dash is way more classy, or am I just getting too old to keep up with new designs

 

Comparing my mums E39 to dads E65, a 7 I know but from the same era. The seven isnt perhaps as well finished in some places, bit of laquer peel in places and some of the chrome looking tatty. The E39 is far from perfect though, headlights now in poor condition, some rot near the tail gate.

 

I know the E39 is considered the best car BMW ever built, but that doesnt make the E60 a bad car. If you can get a facelifted one with the better electronics then i think they are more reliable. I.e the earlier ones had a normal key IIRC the later ones had a key similar to the E65.

I've had a w211 53 plate e270cdi Avantgarde estate for about two years and now a 55 plate e320 cdi sport estate for the last year.

The post facelift w211 56 plate onwards is the one to go for, as MB fixed a lot reliability issues (mostly electrical). I've has no big problems

so far, but then I may have been lucky. I take mine to an independent MB garage to avoid the very high hourly rates of the main dealers.

 

The e320 is well built and nice to drive. The V6 is very smooth, quiet for a diesel and pulls like a train. I get 38+ mpg on fast long runs.

 

-Andrew

Cheers for the info Jim, and your dads car looks very tidy, though if I do go for one i'll try for the marble dash trim as opposed to the wood effect. Good to hear about the reliability from someone with first hand knowledge, the E class is a definite contender :).

The e320 is well built and nice to drive. The V6 is very smooth, quiet for a diesel and pulls like a train. I get 38+ mpg on fast long runs.

 

-Andrew

 

Straight 6!

 

He had the dark dash in the last one, but wanted the wood in this one. He still wanted the sports suspension, so instead of buy the Avantgarde and living with the dash, he bought an Elegance and had the sports suspension fitted and the optional wheels!

Cost him a couple of grand extra just because he wanted that dash trim!

Merc reliability, more gizmos than you can shake a stick at, and, well, its kewl !!

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chrysler-300C-3-0CRD-V6-auto-Estate-/230826659274?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35be574dca

 

Alan..........

Merc reliability, more gizmos than you can shake a stick at, and, well, its kewl !!

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chrysler-300C-3-0CRD-V6-auto-Estate-/230826659274?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35be574dca

 

Alan..........

 

 

I love the look of them Alan.....they remind me of the Anthill mob :). But they do tend to go for a bit more than I want to spend at the moment, also merc oem spares will be far more readily available

I think that model is from the Mercedes cut back era so things not so well built. What's the best replacement to an old 530d? a new one!

 

Far from it mate - the W211 was a fine car; it was the previous shape E-class that spawned from the "cut back era!"

 

I have not owned one myself; but when my last SLK was being repaired after some arse drove into the back of me, I was given a brand new (then 08 plate) E320cdi V6 to drive around in for about 10 weeks. And to be honest, I actually loved it - if I had to have a sensible saloon car, I'd have chosen an E-class (albeit a mighty petrol V8 or AMG - LOL) - and whilst the new E-class has a great reputation, I prefer the look of the W211.

 

Most of the local taxis here are W211s - either 280 or 320 cdis - and the drivers love them!!

 

I reckon AndrewG has given a sound opinion......

 

.....and Big_Jim; you old man pipped me to that number plate!!!! I wanted "V6 RFS" for my own V6 Merc.....:shifty:

 

Richard:thumbup1:

He bought his first Merc in jan 00 on a V reg. He bought that reg and merc fitted it to both his cars from new.

I love the look of them Alan.....they remind me of the Anthill mob :). But they do tend to go for a bit more than I want to spend at the moment, also merc oem spares will be far more readily available

 

Under 7k even lower after you haggle ? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201228478118439/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/model/300c/make/chrysler/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/postcode/ml60ln/radius/200?logcode=p

 

and everything for them is dirt cheap from here; http://www.rockauto.com They delivered a new radiator for my Ram in 3 days at just over £200 quid.

 

Go on !! You know you want too ! :shifty:

 

Alan...............

Those 300C's are hideous in my opinion, I do like that Merc Jim's dad drives though.

My ex boss is selling his E-class merc, im not sure what model, but its a diesel maybe e320? its silver and great condition, it has been chipped and goes like stink!!!! he loves mercs and only selling due to a new ML500, my work colleague has an e55 amg, he absolutely adores his car, very quick 5.5 supercharger, cost him 16k though!!!

 

if you need any details/price on the silver e-class I can pass them on if you wish ;) its the same as Jims dad but silver

Under 7k even lower after you haggle ? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201228478118439/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/model/300c/make/chrysler/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/postcode/ml60ln/radius/200?logcode=p

 

and everything for them is dirt cheap from here; http://www.rockauto.com They delivered a new radiator for my Ram in 3 days at just over £200 quid.

 

Go on !! You know you want too ! :shifty:

 

Alan...............

 

Pimp Daddy here ah come! lol very tempting but the Z is supposed to be the toy if I bought a 300 then I'd be looking for something else as a daily! Plus all the druggies for miles around would be chapping my door looking for their next hit.

 

 

 

Thanks all looks like I going to have a serious look at the merc as my next motor

My ex boss is selling his E-class merc, im not sure what model, but its a diesel maybe e320? its silver and great condition, it has been chipped and goes like stink!!!! he loves mercs and only selling due to a new ML500, my work colleague has an e55 amg, he absolutely adores his car, very quick 5.5 supercharger, cost him 16k though!!!

 

if you need any details/price on the silver e-class I can pass them on if you wish ;) its the same as Jims dad but silver

 

 

Cheers mate, but when I go for one it will have to be an estate.

Cheers mate, but when I go for one it will have to be an estate.

 

Ha, I read you needed an estate after i posted, doh, good luck in your search :)

Pimp Daddy here ah come!

 

 

Thanks all looks like I going to have a serious look at the merc as my next motor

 

Can just picture you in one of em as well ! :thumbup1:

 

Anyways, this company deal in reposessions and very, very light cat d stuff.

Guy in the work has used them and it was hassle free. They have good feedback as well !!

They dont appear to have anything that you are looking for at present, but stick them on your favourite sellers list and you should

receive notification when they list new stuff.

 

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/carsdirect10/?_trksid=p4340.l2559

 

Alan...........

Can just picture you in one of em as well ! :thumbup1:

 

Anyways, this company deal in reposessions and very, very light cat d stuff.

Guy in the work has used them and it was hassle free. They have good feedback as well !!

They dont appear to have anything that you are looking for at present, but stick them on your favourite sellers list and you should

receive notification when they list new stuff.

 

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/carsdirect10/?_trksid=p4340.l2559

 

Alan...........

 

 

lol not really the company image though :)

 

 

Thats an interesting site, need to keep watching it

Robert, I had a loan of a '53 plate E320 CDI with 172K on it, a couple of weeks ago.........what a machine :drool:

 

The ride quality was super smooth, it pulled like train and the sound from that straight six tractor engine was brilliant :D

 

Full leather upholstery, marble effect trim and a lovely, smooth changing autobox....................I'm converted!

 

After the Rover's gone (at least another year) I'll be looking at an E class.

 

Andy

Had the W210 and engineering wise it was fantastic. 186,000 faultless miles by the time it left me. Serious rust issues though.

 

The W211 has no body problems as far as I'm aware.

my work colleague has an e55 amg, he absolutely adores his car, very quick 5.5 supercharger

 

 

Saw an E55 AMG estate in Weston S Mare the other night, very rare, it looks really wierd to see a big estate car take off like a bat out of hell!

im running a 2002 ML55 AMG N/A ( chipped ) goes like a scalded cat....kick down accelaration is awsome let alone for a two ton truck...only replaced the front discs and pads and battery and changed a faulty MAF in 4 years...bought it for less than 7 grand full spec with command system full heated electric leather interior DVD and satnav AC elect sunroof etc not worth selling now most i would get is about 3.5k it only has 78,000 on the clock and i love it .....so want a brabus v12 version :) never really liked Mercs until i bought mine but would have another in a heart beat