W211 E Class - 320 or 270 CDi?

W211 E Class - 320 or 270 CDi?

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Baryonyx

Original Poster:

17,990 posts

158 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Morning all,


I'm at a current crossroads on what to do for my next car. Accepting that my Rallye won't last forever, and has largely been outgrown at present, I need something bigger. My initial thoughts were a W220 S320 CDi, and I kick myself now for not buying one when I had the chance a couple of years ago - most of the models I've looked at recently have been fit for scrap. Many of them, I could tell were not worth looking at from the advert alone; even some of the most forgiving pictures were showing blistered arches and rotting bootlids.


So, it is with some regret that I've decided the moment has probably passed for the S220. Despite being the prettiest of all S Classes (in my eyes) it just seems the moment has passed for them.


The W211 E Class looks like it is a reasonable buy though. The ones that pop up on my radar are the 320 and the 270 CDi models. It looks as though the 270 is generally a little cheaper and a little less well equipped. Is it worth paying more for the 320? Is there an appreciable difference in performance, refinement or running costs? My requirements are fairly normal; I need a bit of space in the car for getting my kit to work and back, I take the occasional trip to the Lakes with the wife so some luggage space and refinement would be nice, and my mileage now largely precludes a large, thirsty petrol (my previous car was a D2 A8 4.2, which was lovely, but would cost me hundreds of pounds a month in petrol). I'm not after fun or anything, I'll get that from motorbiking. My plan is to buy a sensible, swift and comfortable family car that will do me well for a few years. I'd be looking to spend around £5000, so I appreciate I'm looking at older models of around 100,000 miles or so, this wouldn't worry me. Or should it?

NeilyWheelie

44 posts

126 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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I cant speak much of the 270 as I havent driven one, but the specs on all w211's seem to vary considerably.

My 2003 w211 e320 cdi estate is an avantgarde model, but was specced with full nav, sunroof, heated seats, xenon lights, radar guided cruise control, full airmatic (not just at the back), 4-zone climate control, electric tailgate opening and closing, electric sliding boot floor, fully adjustable electric seats and some other stuff which I havent found on others.

When I bought it (with 140k on the clock) I was a litte worried about the mileage and the kit going wrong, but its now on 202000 and it isnt missing a beat. the in-line 6 cylinder diesel engine is creamy smooth and progress is completely effortless and is unbelievably comfortable.

Best of all is it isnt rusty and itll easily do 43mpg on a run and really shifts in sports mode. I love it.

biggest problem I have now is what to replace it with.

So, to summarise, I wouldnt worry about the mileage - and they are a great car to live with and I've rambled on too much and now cant remember what your questions were!


timwatsham

229 posts

249 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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Another second for not worrying about the mileage, our E270 estate is on 200,000 - we bought a couple of years back on 174k and it's been great since. Spacious, nice place to spend time and a great family car. We've got 35mpg since we've had it, but that is a combination of short trips locally for school runs etc. and then log motorway trips with roofbox and a boot full. Long trips without the roof box and cruising at 80 gives >40mpg, bring the speed down a little and it can be very impressive for a 10 year old car.

270 for us was a good mix of fuel economy, power and character from the 5 cylinder engine. But also a question of right spec (7 seats, Command, leather, built in child seats) at the right time, as per the previous poster.

Great cars.

Aidayboy

392 posts

202 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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Hi, one of my cars is a 2005 E270, has 84k on it and generally has been the best of many Merc's I've owned, they are a bit gruff when cold but once warmed up its great, will get 40mpg on a motorway run and low 30's day to day.

One of the things I really love is the interior, I keep mine immaculate and ant time anyone is it they always comment how lovely a place it is to be, especially at night with the green disc on the inside roof giving off a faint light, lovely.

Have considered getting rid of mine a few times, I then drive it, and think about how much I'd need to spend to get something newer on a par and simply can't justify it.

You could get a 270 & remapp it for your need, speed or mpg?


Recommended.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
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I have owned so many cars but my E320cdi S211 (estate) is the best all round car I have owned, beating the E39 530i sport just.

I had the 210 before, e320 V6 petrol, facelift, and then moved onto the S212 E350cdi estate after the S211, the former I also loved in its own wafty way, the later model I hated, a real step back in material quailty, driving comfort and I was gutted straight away, after 6 months had to bite the bullet and get rid.

Also had a new 5 series F11 touring, and to be honest this was not only sharper to drive but also comfier than the new E Class, should have kept that, but after having loved the 211 so much I thought I would naturally love the 212 so went for it, big mistake.

But the E320cdi estate was brilliant, I loved it, as I said best car I have owned.

Also had 535d, 335i, S4 along those sort of lines that we all good, but not as good as the 211, so I think that is high praise indeed.


I would try and get into a facelift if I were you, from 56 pate onward, slightly V shaped grille, round fog lights with chrome surround, different mirrors, grille on dash is mesh rather than slatted.

Lost of niggles sorted, but main reason is no EBC brakes, the electronic braking system is great, but is limited to 200,000 pedal presses, then you need a new unit, this is expensive at over a grand.
Later cars had this number increased, to around 400k presses and you can now buy a reset tool that will give you 25, 50, 75 or 100% more, but they are chinese and a bit dodgy, and what if someone has already used one on the car you have bought? Messing with the brakes is not a great idea.

The facelift also get the 280cdi which is a 3 litre like the later 320cdi, and you get the 7G 'box, which is a nice 'box imho.

I wouldn't not buy a pre-facelift, but, the facelift are now down to the sub £6k mark and I do think it is probably worth paying a bit more for one.

I am in an old ML at the mo and I love it, but I am keeping an eye out for a nice E350 or E500, and when one I like pops up I will grab it.
I only do 20k a year now and the petrol I had was only about 10-20% worse depending on what sort of driving I was doing, and with petrol being 10% cheaper nearly think I might as well do it again properly, I liked the diesel, had a Brabus D6 on it, but the petrol feels far more special, far more Mercedes.
I have the 270cdi in the ML and find it very gruff and spoils the overall feel, had a W211 saloon with it in as well and that was the same. It is fine, but no where near as smooth as the E320, which is turn is no where near as nice as the E350 petrol.

Edited by gizlaroc on Sunday 27th April 08:23

Baryonyx

Original Poster:

17,990 posts

158 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
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Yes, reading about the EBC brake unit was somewhat offputting, after a friend and long-time Merc enthusiast gave me the heads up on that. So, I could have the W220 and worry about rust and the air compressor breaking, or I could count my presses of the brake pedal...!

NeilyWheelie

44 posts

126 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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Baryonyx said:
Yes, reading about the EBC brake unit was somewhat offputting, after a friend and long-time Merc enthusiast gave me the heads up on that. So, I could have the W220 and worry about rust and the air compressor breaking, or I could count my presses of the brake pedal...!
I wouldnt worry toooo much about the SBC brakes- sure it has got a life, but overall its pretty reliable and it can be replaced.

One thing I've wondered is do the later cars (without SBC) have the hill hold and brake control feature? - i.e if you press your foot a little harder on the brake pedal it stops the auto "creep", and if you press the cruise control lever downwards it activates SBC so that the car is always braking (great in very slow moving traffic).

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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NeilyWheelie said:
I wouldnt worry toooo much about the SBC brakes- sure it has got a life, but overall its pretty reliable and it can be replaced.

One thing I've wondered is do the later cars (without SBC) have the hill hold and brake control feature? - i.e if you press your foot a little harder on the brake pedal it stops the auto "creep", and if you press the cruise control lever downwards it activates SBC so that the car is always braking (great in very slow moving traffic).
Yeah they do. Great feature.

Yeah it has got a life, but a £1000 when the car is worth £3000 is a hard pill to swallow.