E class Estate 63/14 plate - good buy?
Discussion
My current company car is due back in August and as thhe have changed the scheme to no longer be attractive, I will opt out and buy own car instead. Having had estates for the last 8 years and got used to the space they have, I like the look of the latest E class estate. My budget (£2-3k deposit, £300/month, PCP deal, means a target price of around £22-23k) will only allow me an E220 CDI SE. Having been spoilt as a company car driver, owning a car becomes a bit daunting as costs can suddenly appear.
Is there anything in particular I should be looking out for on this model?
Any pointers or advise are most appreciated.
Many thanks
Freddie
Is there anything in particular I should be looking out for on this model?
Any pointers or advise are most appreciated.
Many thanks
Freddie
Thanks Hilly10 - appreciate the suggestion
I've seen those deals but they're outside of budget (although just). I need to stick to the £300/month to be able to pay for service and insurance. I love as also hoping to build up a little bit of equity in the GFV to use towards the next car.
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I've seen those deals but they're outside of budget (although just). I need to stick to the £300/month to be able to pay for service and insurance. I love as also hoping to build up a little bit of equity in the GFV to use towards the next car.
.
I have a 60 plate 350 Sport estate. Fantastic mile eater, have done 1200 miles over 2 days in Europe several times, obviously the 220 won't have as much power but even in SE spec still a great car. Mine does iro 35/gallon measured over 6000+ miles. With the back seat down will swallow anything.
The only thing is its a big car in car parks or on narrow roads, although actually not a lot bigger than the current Mondeo.
The other problem is that when I get to my gateway I want to carry on and do another few miles! Try to get one with Command, mine has this, its great. Apparently a lot better than the standard system which I haven't experienced
The only thing is its a big car in car parks or on narrow roads, although actually not a lot bigger than the current Mondeo.
The other problem is that when I get to my gateway I want to carry on and do another few miles! Try to get one with Command, mine has this, its great. Apparently a lot better than the standard system which I haven't experienced
Thanks TVR Keith for tip around the size. Am currently driving an estate 15 cm shorter so shouldn't be too much of a difference. Being Swedish, I also learned to drive in a Volvo 940 Estate so no stranger to large cars.
As for the COMMAND system, I believe it became standard equipment with the 2013 facelift.
Thanks Gizlaroc. I will check out alternative funding to try and get a better deal.
As for the COMMAND system, I believe it became standard equipment with the 2013 facelift.
Thanks Gizlaroc. I will check out alternative funding to try and get a better deal.
I've driven 2012 E-Class Estate for the last couple of years. Incomparable load lugger and utterly reliable but a bit of a boat. If you don't need the huge amounts of space my preference would be for a C-Class Estate (new shape). You should be able to get a new one on lease of PCP for around £300-350.
The new C Class is a lot better put together than the outgoing E Class too.
I didn't get on with my E350, I sold it after 16 weeks.
Hard ride, crashy, poor interior materials, noisy, horrible steering, seats didn't go low enough, steering wheel too far forward and high so when it is comfortable you can't see the cluster.
I had an F11 5 series touring fora few weeks before and the previous E Class before that, which were both much better all round.
I didn't get on with my E350, I sold it after 16 weeks.
Hard ride, crashy, poor interior materials, noisy, horrible steering, seats didn't go low enough, steering wheel too far forward and high so when it is comfortable you can't see the cluster.
I had an F11 5 series touring fora few weeks before and the previous E Class before that, which were both much better all round.
No, mine was the avantgarde on 17" wheels.
I had come from an S210 E320 V6 and then an S211 E320cdi, in between I had the F11 5 series. I found to 5 series a bit too comfortable compared with the 535d E61 we had before, and thought "if going comfort might as well swap for a Merc." Big mistake.
There was not a single area where the Merc was better than the BMW other than load space. You would have to be really anti BMW to choose the Merc imho, or sacrifice being in a much better car if you prefer the styling of the Mercedes.
I had come from an S210 E320 V6 and then an S211 E320cdi, in between I had the F11 5 series. I found to 5 series a bit too comfortable compared with the 535d E61 we had before, and thought "if going comfort might as well swap for a Merc." Big mistake.
There was not a single area where the Merc was better than the BMW other than load space. You would have to be really anti BMW to choose the Merc imho, or sacrifice being in a much better car if you prefer the styling of the Mercedes.
Not all of us agree with Gizze.
He didn't like the 212 series, personally I love it.
I'm not anti-BMW, as I went out originally to buy one, and ended up with a Merc, based on whole host of different reasons.
I have no issues with the seating position, but can't comment on the parametric steering as mine is the 220.
I'm 124000 miles in, owned from new and I still love it.
Fair criticisms are that they do create more road noise than earlier cars and the ride is not quite as supple. I find this is as much to do with the ongoing escalation of rubber, resulting in all cars being over tyred IMO (helps grip = safer, but kills ride quality/feel and makes more noise!)
The only issue I had was the water pump failed at around 90k miles, fixed by MB at their expense even though the car was 4 months out of warranty. I have seen a few stories of failures, but wouldn't call it a common fault.
Other than that there have been no issues. I bought the Merc for reliable, comfortable and safe motoring, something the E class has fully delivered.
In terms of E vs C vs BMW the only advise I ever give is try before you buy. I prefer the E, others don't.
Regards, Neil
He didn't like the 212 series, personally I love it.
I'm not anti-BMW, as I went out originally to buy one, and ended up with a Merc, based on whole host of different reasons.
I have no issues with the seating position, but can't comment on the parametric steering as mine is the 220.
I'm 124000 miles in, owned from new and I still love it.
Fair criticisms are that they do create more road noise than earlier cars and the ride is not quite as supple. I find this is as much to do with the ongoing escalation of rubber, resulting in all cars being over tyred IMO (helps grip = safer, but kills ride quality/feel and makes more noise!)
The only issue I had was the water pump failed at around 90k miles, fixed by MB at their expense even though the car was 4 months out of warranty. I have seen a few stories of failures, but wouldn't call it a common fault.
Other than that there have been no issues. I bought the Merc for reliable, comfortable and safe motoring, something the E class has fully delivered.
In terms of E vs C vs BMW the only advise I ever give is try before you buy. I prefer the E, others don't.
Regards, Neil
I sounded really negative above, I should add that I think the facelift model sorted a lot of the niggles and we should keep things in perspective, the E Class is still a great car, just that I found the 5 series far more comfortable and that annoyed me, Mercs are mean to be the king of comfort.
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