RE: Mercedes-Benz E320 (W211) | Shed of the Week
Discussion
My daily car is an early '03 E320 CDI with just short of 140k on the clock. Admittedly mine is a mapped 3.2 I6 diesel and to be honest, it goes pretty well even more so for it's age.
Engine aside though, the car has aged incredibly well. The only thing that's a bit iffy is the CD player, it has a slight bit of rust round the inner arches but I've had it over 3 years, done over 30k in it and it seems to be as solid as it ever was. Heated memory seats, dual aircon etc. All a very nice place to sit and cover about 12k a year!
This is mine
Engine aside though, the car has aged incredibly well. The only thing that's a bit iffy is the CD player, it has a slight bit of rust round the inner arches but I've had it over 3 years, done over 30k in it and it seems to be as solid as it ever was. Heated memory seats, dual aircon etc. All a very nice place to sit and cover about 12k a year!
This is mine
That's a pretty good shed!
I grew up always wanting a Mercedes, and eventually had a W123 280e followed some years later by a W201 190e (manual) which was a great car.
But then I replaced it with a 1994 W202 C280 Sport Auto, and it was the most disappointing car I've had - so far!
Build quality had taken a real nose-dive compared to my W201. And though the Sport seats were good, the ride quality was awful without offering anything much in the way of better handling - and the Auto-Box was pretty dim-witted.
I think I'd avoid any late 90s/early 2000s Merc though given the reported quality issues.
I grew up always wanting a Mercedes, and eventually had a W123 280e followed some years later by a W201 190e (manual) which was a great car.
But then I replaced it with a 1994 W202 C280 Sport Auto, and it was the most disappointing car I've had - so far!
Build quality had taken a real nose-dive compared to my W201. And though the Sport seats were good, the ride quality was awful without offering anything much in the way of better handling - and the Auto-Box was pretty dim-witted.
I think I'd avoid any late 90s/early 2000s Merc though given the reported quality issues.
These cars have some surprisingly poor quality trim materials that usually don't age well. I remember a friend had one and the chrome plating was exfoliating from some of the plastic interior parts, making it look very shabby when it was only 3 or 4 years old. However, based on the photos in the ad this one seems to be in decent shape cosmetically.
There has to be a catch at this price (£1295). I suppose it's the risk of a single big repair bill that's going to exceed the value of the vehicle. It's also going to be too expensive to run for many people. Insurance is going to be a barrier for anybody young without a fat no claims history, and fuel costs (at UK prices) will also be a deterrent.
However, for older farts like me, this would be a nice runabout for low mileage use. Good shedding.
There has to be a catch at this price (£1295). I suppose it's the risk of a single big repair bill that's going to exceed the value of the vehicle. It's also going to be too expensive to run for many people. Insurance is going to be a barrier for anybody young without a fat no claims history, and fuel costs (at UK prices) will also be a deterrent.
However, for older farts like me, this would be a nice runabout for low mileage use. Good shedding.
The Mad Monk said:
On my 2008 W211, the scruffiest parts are the trims things in the centre of the wheels. Quite cheap to replace, I think, but I would have to take the wheels off - wouldn't I?
Hmmmn...If they are fit for the bin, a smart tap with a hammer and screwdriver would pierce the centre and you could pry them off in a jiffy.anonymous said:
[redacted]
Not sure how the outside looks plastic but the interior is definitely old school. It does depend on the colour of the 'wooden' finish though. I believe it's veneered rather than solid wood but I think the greyer type interiors looks better. I don't think it looks too bad though if I'm honest, nicely ergonomic and very comfortable.
MadDog1962 said:
These cars have some surprisingly poor quality trim materials that usually don't age well. I remember a friend had one and the chrome plating was exfoliating from some of the plastic interior parts, making it look very shabby when it was only 3 or 4 years old. However, based on the photos in the ad this one seems to be in decent shape cosmetically.
That's not ideal on a young car although from experience I can't say I've noticed poor wear and tear inside or out. Entirely possible they went through a phase of poor materials. The Mad Monk said:
On my 2008 W211, the scruffiest parts are the trims things in the centre of the wheels. Quite cheap to replace, I think, but I would have to take the wheels off - wouldn't I?
Velcro and locking pliers did the job on my other half's wheels. Clean up the centre cap, stick the velcro on with a fold to grip and sharp yank! 
I agree that darker greyish wood that came with the Avantgarde trim is far nicer, with the added bonus that Avantgarde spec cars of that era all came with standard xenons, unlike the elegance, despite, from memory, being the same price. I had a smaller engined version, an E270 CDi, as a company car in ‘04. Was a supremely comfortable cruiser - I have a feeling it was only on 16” wheels?
On the ubiquity of silver - there were three in stock to choose from when I ordered; black with a black leather interior (didn’t fancy that), blue with a blue interior (didn’t fancy that either) and silver with a black part leather/cloth interior. That’ll do...
Turned out not to be sliver, but cubanite silver. A kind of beige... it grew on me
On the ubiquity of silver - there were three in stock to choose from when I ordered; black with a black leather interior (didn’t fancy that), blue with a blue interior (didn’t fancy that either) and silver with a black part leather/cloth interior. That’ll do...
Turned out not to be sliver, but cubanite silver. A kind of beige... it grew on me
PSRG said:
I agree that darker greyish wood that came with the Avantgarde trim is far nicer, with the added bonus that Avantgarde spec cars of that era all came with standard xenons, unlike the elegance, despite, from memory, being the same price. I had a smaller engined version, an E270 CDi, as a company car in ‘04. Was a supremely comfortable cruiser - I have a feeling it was only on 16” wheels?
There's an E270 CDI on a FB group I'm part of which has over 600k on the clock, very impressive although not seen the condition it's in. Those wheels came in three sizes if yours were 16" as my original set were 17" and I'd seen a few with 18" versions which looked really good. Nice, simple design.
My recollection is that it was an incredibly solid feeling car, but it was a while ago. Interestingly when you use the MOT checker to look at the history of RE04UFZ it come up as overdue an MOT. MOT due date is 22/03/07. So it’s never been MOTed 
Now, I only had it a year before changing jobs...perhaps it ended up on a private plate after being sold? Would that explain the odd status?
Now, I only had it a year before changing jobs...perhaps it ended up on a private plate after being sold? Would that explain the odd status?These are great cars for the money. A step up in quality from the W210 before it, and even better quality than the W212 that preceded it.
They have their niggles like most cars, but if you can get a face lift (56-plate onward) E320 CDI Sport Estate, it's one of the most complete cars around. Looks good even today, decent level of equipment if you get the right spec, reasonable fuel economy and quick enough for everyday use.
The early pre-facelift models represent so much car for the cash. They are solid and well built, and smooth to drive. The perfect motorway cruisers.
The later (09 onward) W212 which replaced these, are dog s
t in comparison when it comes to build quality. The local taxi firms mainly use them on their fleet, and they all rattle and squeak. The leather rips on the driver's seat base. The drivers constantly moan about how they have to keep going in for random issues, causing them to be unusable for periods of time. And they always fondly remember these W211 models. The later 212 face lift models are much better and have most niggles ironed out.
They have their niggles like most cars, but if you can get a face lift (56-plate onward) E320 CDI Sport Estate, it's one of the most complete cars around. Looks good even today, decent level of equipment if you get the right spec, reasonable fuel economy and quick enough for everyday use.
The early pre-facelift models represent so much car for the cash. They are solid and well built, and smooth to drive. The perfect motorway cruisers.
The later (09 onward) W212 which replaced these, are dog s
t in comparison when it comes to build quality. The local taxi firms mainly use them on their fleet, and they all rattle and squeak. The leather rips on the driver's seat base. The drivers constantly moan about how they have to keep going in for random issues, causing them to be unusable for periods of time. And they always fondly remember these W211 models. The later 212 face lift models are much better and have most niggles ironed out.Great cars, but at some point over 125,000 miles the SBC Pump WILL FAIL leaving you with little or no brakes, which is not ideal if you happen to be going downhill on a dark French road at night with the family and dog on board.
I sourced a reconditioned pump and it set me back £800 plus £400 fitting by a mobile Mercedes guy, total £1200 and the car off-road for a month.
All in all, an absolute pain and if I were buying one of these again, I'd replace the pump straight away, so add £1000 to the purchase price if you want peace of mind.
The injectors all had to be replaced as well which was bloody expensive. Car had done 125,000 miles, one owner, full MBSH.
'Elegance' would be my model of choice, Avantgarde has harder suspension springs and I don't like the darker wood inside.
I sourced a reconditioned pump and it set me back £800 plus £400 fitting by a mobile Mercedes guy, total £1200 and the car off-road for a month.
All in all, an absolute pain and if I were buying one of these again, I'd replace the pump straight away, so add £1000 to the purchase price if you want peace of mind.
The injectors all had to be replaced as well which was bloody expensive. Car had done 125,000 miles, one owner, full MBSH.
'Elegance' would be my model of choice, Avantgarde has harder suspension springs and I don't like the darker wood inside.
Edited by 993kimbo on Monday 2nd September 10:45
I sold my 2003 E200K Estate at a smidge over 100,000 miles at the beginning of this year, mainly because of the two pages of advisories following the MOT. Sadly these advisories were all at Mercedes Benz prices and I was looking at not far off £2k to sort them all out. As the car was only worth about £3k, I decided to cut my losses and sell the thing, even though i really was rather fond of it and it didn't have a speck of rust on it.
You can guess what's coming next, can't you? Yes, that's right - listed it on Sunday and on Wednesday the SBC pump announced that it had reached the end of its life.
Really nice car though and even the 1.8 four-pot wasn't as slow as many assume it probably is. Would I have another one? Probably not - when it comes to vehicular money pits, I prefer a 'Range Rover' badge up front. Assuming it hasn't fallen off, obviously...
You can guess what's coming next, can't you? Yes, that's right - listed it on Sunday and on Wednesday the SBC pump announced that it had reached the end of its life.
Really nice car though and even the 1.8 four-pot wasn't as slow as many assume it probably is. Would I have another one? Probably not - when it comes to vehicular money pits, I prefer a 'Range Rover' badge up front. Assuming it hasn't fallen off, obviously...
PSRG said:
My recollection is that it was an incredibly solid feeling car, but it was a while ago. Interestingly when you use the MOT checker to look at the history of RE04UFZ it come up as overdue an MOT. MOT due date is 22/03/07. So it’s never been MOTed Now, I only had it a year before changing jobs...perhaps it ended up on a private plate after being sold? Would that explain the odd status?
No; it was exported in 2005, probably to Ireland (the Republic). About 100,000 cars go there from the UK every year. Now, I only had it a year before changing jobs...perhaps it ended up on a private plate after being sold? Would that explain the odd status?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff