Mercedes options
Discussion
I am currently looking at buying either a W211 E500 or a C32 AMG.
The car will only do around 4k miles per year so I am not too worried about the fuel economy, however I would be worried about the potential servicing costs.
I am also aware that the C32s were made when Mercedes were going through some dark days in terms of build quality which puts me more towards the W211?
Another option is to go with something like this?
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3423738.htm
Can you insure these on classic policies (we already have another main car in the household)?
The car will only do around 4k miles per year so I am not too worried about the fuel economy, however I would be worried about the potential servicing costs.
I am also aware that the C32s were made when Mercedes were going through some dark days in terms of build quality which puts me more towards the W211?
Another option is to go with something like this?
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3423738.htm
Can you insure these on classic policies (we already have another main car in the household)?
They are both very good cars in different ways. I don't have direct experience of C32's but I have got a Feb 2005 W211 E500. In summary the C32 is blisteringly fast but earlier ones maybe merit a little caution.
The E500 in 306 bhp mode is fast and very capable but you may want to steer clear of the earlier ones. The facelift one has a new engine with another 80-odd bhp and is in what would have been AMG territory not long ago. Basically you want to either (a) get a 306 bhp one from autumn 2004 onwards to get the revised pre-facelift version or (b) get a facelift one with the newere 390-ish bhp motor.
E500's and C3's both tend to come in high specs so lots to go wrong. In the earlier version of both (I think) the Valeo rads can rot, sending coolant into the gearbox with failure the result. C32's seem to have electrical niggles (eg heated seat bases) and supercharger-related maladies. Earlier E500's also seem to have electrical niggles.
Both cars can cross continents if you need to to. I can't compare the two directly but for me stepping out of a C43 into an E500 was night and day in terms of quality and comfort. The build quality and trim is so much better (but I am comparing cars of very different generations). But Mercedes do throw a lot of R&D at E Classes and it shows.
My E500 has a massive spec, is on 104k miles and everything works. And in E500's you get things like air suspension, xenon's, 7G and quad zone climate as standard. Mine also has full COMAND, Harmon Kardon, TV, DVD, auto wipers, auto mirrors, auto headlights, sun blinds, extra sun visors, auto memory (for seats, steering column and mirrors), seven seats, etc. I've had it 18 months now and have only had to do basic maintenance. It's taken me and the family to the Med twice and regularly takes us on long trips round the UK. I personally love the space and general usability - and the fact that the E gets self levelling susp that the C doesn't. This makes a huge difference when fully loaded. And you can only get the seven seat option in an E. It's a fabulous family bus. And when the wife and kids aren't in it it can shift. I just switch the suspension to Sport II and the gearbox to Sport.
There's a good thread summarising 211's here; http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/...
Good luck!
The E500 in 306 bhp mode is fast and very capable but you may want to steer clear of the earlier ones. The facelift one has a new engine with another 80-odd bhp and is in what would have been AMG territory not long ago. Basically you want to either (a) get a 306 bhp one from autumn 2004 onwards to get the revised pre-facelift version or (b) get a facelift one with the newere 390-ish bhp motor.
E500's and C3's both tend to come in high specs so lots to go wrong. In the earlier version of both (I think) the Valeo rads can rot, sending coolant into the gearbox with failure the result. C32's seem to have electrical niggles (eg heated seat bases) and supercharger-related maladies. Earlier E500's also seem to have electrical niggles.
Both cars can cross continents if you need to to. I can't compare the two directly but for me stepping out of a C43 into an E500 was night and day in terms of quality and comfort. The build quality and trim is so much better (but I am comparing cars of very different generations). But Mercedes do throw a lot of R&D at E Classes and it shows.
My E500 has a massive spec, is on 104k miles and everything works. And in E500's you get things like air suspension, xenon's, 7G and quad zone climate as standard. Mine also has full COMAND, Harmon Kardon, TV, DVD, auto wipers, auto mirrors, auto headlights, sun blinds, extra sun visors, auto memory (for seats, steering column and mirrors), seven seats, etc. I've had it 18 months now and have only had to do basic maintenance. It's taken me and the family to the Med twice and regularly takes us on long trips round the UK. I personally love the space and general usability - and the fact that the E gets self levelling susp that the C doesn't. This makes a huge difference when fully loaded. And you can only get the seven seat option in an E. It's a fabulous family bus. And when the wife and kids aren't in it it can shift. I just switch the suspension to Sport II and the gearbox to Sport.
There's a good thread summarising 211's here; http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/...
Good luck!
So is the facelift on the '06 plate then? And this would also get you the beefier motor, that sounds appealing as I would ideally like a comfy car that can shift when required.
My only other question is going as new as 2006, does this mean I will get my trousers pulled down in terms of Roadtax?
My only other question is going as new as 2006, does this mean I will get my trousers pulled down in terms of Roadtax?
matt3001 said:
So is the facelift on the '06 plate then? And this would also get you the beefier motor, that sounds appealing as I would ideally like a comfy car that can shift when required.
Not sure how the years/plates work - check in that MBCLUB link. Mine is a Feb 2005 on a 54 if that helps.The old 500 is not slow - over 300bhp, 345 lb/ft of torque, high 5's to 60 and (IIRC) 14-ish dash to 100.
The newer one is quicker, of course. 385 bhp, similar torque, low 5's to 60 and 12.7 to 100. Pretty much the same as the 210 E55.
matt3001 said:
My only other question is going as new as 2006, does this mean I will get my trousers pulled down in terms of Roadtax?
IIRC the cut off is March 2006. So only a facelift registered on March 06 or earlier will get the lower VRD.Then again you probably gain 10% in mpg so you get some back.
I agree 300 bhp is more than enough, but when 385 is on offer.
The main thing about going facelift would be (and reading the MB forum link above) that they made 2000 updates in the facelift to combat build quality gremlins.
Also if I could get a pre-March facelift then I would benefit from the extra MPG and the roadtax.
I am also considering a 320 cdi one of these, but the premium you pay to purchase I may not get back if I only do 4000 miles a year.
What mpg are we talking out of interest, same as an E46 M3? 18-24?
The main thing about going facelift would be (and reading the MB forum link above) that they made 2000 updates in the facelift to combat build quality gremlins.
Also if I could get a pre-March facelift then I would benefit from the extra MPG and the roadtax.
I am also considering a 320 cdi one of these, but the premium you pay to purchase I may not get back if I only do 4000 miles a year.
What mpg are we talking out of interest, same as an E46 M3? 18-24?
matt3001 said:
I agree 300 bhp is more than enough, but when 385 is on offer.
True :-)matt3001 said:
The main thing about going facelift would be (and reading the MB forum link above) that they made 2000 updates in the facelift to combat build quality gremlins.
Again, true - but I think its a sliding scale and that a lot of the stuff was sorted out in the Autumn 2004 fix.matt3001 said:
Also if I could get a pre-March facelift then I would benefit from the extra MPG and the roadtax.
This would be the sweetspot - if such a car exists and/or you can actually find one. In estate form, E500's are thin on the ground - although there seem to be many more saloons.matt3001 said:
I am also considering a 320 cdi one of these, but the premium you pay to purchase I may not get back if I only do 4000 miles a year.
Personally, I'd only look at V6's - which effectively means a faceift. Yes you'd have to pay more, although I guess you eventually get more back at the end. You can also stick a Brabus chip on for £900-ish and get up to 280 bhp and 400 ish lb/ft. I might have to do this for my next one as there are simply so few 500 estates about.matt3001 said:
What mpg are we talking out of interest, same as an E46 M3? 18-24?
Yes about that. Mine dips a bit lower if traffic really bad. But then again I'm in London and the wife's Clio is only getting 23 mpg. Once I'm out of London the average is probably 25. I've teased mine up to 30 on a run. I'm not that bothered about mpg as I only do 7-8k a year and most of that is four up.The 5.5 is c 10% more efficient.
angusc43 said:
Yes about that. Mine dips a bit lower if traffic really bad. But then again I'm in London and the wife's Clio is only getting 23 mpg. Once I'm out of London the average is probably 25. I've teased mine up to 30 on a run. I'm not that bothered about mpg as I only do 7-8k a year and most of that is four up.
The 5.5 is c 10% more efficient.
This is all incredibly pleasing reading, and I would be driving a 5 litre mercedes.The 5.5 is c 10% more efficient.
Anything to watch out for when buying? I would ideally like a car with sub 50k on the clock.
matt3001 said:
This is all incredibly pleasing reading, and I would be driving a 5 litre mercedes.
Yes this is a GOOD thing. Even EVO gave the original one a great write up at launch.matt3001 said:
Anything to watch out for when buying? I would ideally like a car with sub 50k on the clock.
Nothing in particular, just good historyHere's a rare estate facelift with a monster spec. This one also has the electric boot floor (slides out to make loading easier) which precludes the seven seat option. Also has voice activation (which I've never tried) and tyre pressure monitors.
EDIT; and it's got the parking sensors (v useful) and the twin spoke 17's. I think these are the best compromise as some suggest the 18's are a little harsh.
It's also got heated rear seats AND vented fronts - I've tried them and they are awesome on a hot day.
I'd forgotten I've also got the electric tailgate (v handy) and phone pre-wire (ditto). Just remembered something else - mine has pop-up boosters in rear seats which is handy if you've got young kids. And the dynamic seats which grip harder as you corner. Or give a lower back massage (sort of...).
Anyway this really is a huge spec and at 60k it is barely run in.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Edited by angusc43 on Tuesday 6th December 14:07
Evo test from the 2002 launch http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/1966...
Confusingly that 500 seems to have had the 5 speeb box - I thought all 500's had the 7G.
Seems like more tinkering with spec. That one also has the optional panoramic roof - which looks fabluous but can rattle a few years down the line.
Anyway, they loved it back then. It's less sporty than the equivalent 5 but it's not trying to do quite the same thing.
Confusingly that 500 seems to have had the 5 speeb box - I thought all 500's had the 7G.
Seems like more tinkering with spec. That one also has the optional panoramic roof - which looks fabluous but can rattle a few years down the line.
Anyway, they loved it back then. It's less sporty than the equivalent 5 but it's not trying to do quite the same thing.
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