Would I regret buying a Merc diesel?
Discussion
I recently had an e class coupe 350cdi Sport.
Plusses: it was a very nice place to be in, felt well built and effortless torque from the 3 litre engine. It was extremely refined. If you have a lot of motorway miles to devour this is the car for you.
Minuses : Wallowy round corners, felt very blacmange like. You'd put your foot down and the combination of the slushmatic gearbox and turbo lag meant it could be a second or more before you'd go anywhere which could be off putting if you were doing an overtake.
It's a question of when not if the oil cooler seals will start leaking, they go brittle over time and they're in the bowels of the engine and are a thousand pounds fix.
In the end I only kept the car for a little over a year. I'd say if your journeys are mainly motorway or sweeping b roads then they're a great car; they are surpremely comfortable and have loads of grunt. For anything else they're a bit lacking.
Plusses: it was a very nice place to be in, felt well built and effortless torque from the 3 litre engine. It was extremely refined. If you have a lot of motorway miles to devour this is the car for you.
Minuses : Wallowy round corners, felt very blacmange like. You'd put your foot down and the combination of the slushmatic gearbox and turbo lag meant it could be a second or more before you'd go anywhere which could be off putting if you were doing an overtake.
It's a question of when not if the oil cooler seals will start leaking, they go brittle over time and they're in the bowels of the engine and are a thousand pounds fix.
In the end I only kept the car for a little over a year. I'd say if your journeys are mainly motorway or sweeping b roads then they're a great car; they are surpremely comfortable and have loads of grunt. For anything else they're a bit lacking.
I bought a Mercedes E320CDI estate in 2001. P/ex it in 2008 with 215,000 on the clock. Gearbox overhaul at 155,000. Nice car
Replaced by 2008 E220 diesel estate. Sold it in 2021 with 105,000. no major problems, brake hose would corrode, minor bit of suspension would fail, or advise, at MOT, otherwise no problems. Engine a bit agricultural. Should never have sold it.
Bought 2019 EClass 200 estate in 2021. Got tired of the false messages the on board computer would send me - "The car is unlocked, do you want to lock it?" "The battery is in a low state, run the engine or charge the battery". All untrue. I got fed up and sold it. Now driving a Toyota.
Mercedes diesels? Yes, ok, but they won't set your world on fire.
Replaced by 2008 E220 diesel estate. Sold it in 2021 with 105,000. no major problems, brake hose would corrode, minor bit of suspension would fail, or advise, at MOT, otherwise no problems. Engine a bit agricultural. Should never have sold it.
Bought 2019 EClass 200 estate in 2021. Got tired of the false messages the on board computer would send me - "The car is unlocked, do you want to lock it?" "The battery is in a low state, run the engine or charge the battery". All untrue. I got fed up and sold it. Now driving a Toyota.
Mercedes diesels? Yes, ok, but they won't set your world on fire.
I’ve owned from 6 months both a 2013 Mercedes E250 CDI AMG Line and a 2019 BMW 530d M Sport. They were both really good cars.
As others have said the Mercedes are great motorway cars, although when it comes to sporty handling the BMW is noticeably better. When it came to really long 500 plus miles per day in Europe, I definitely felt better getting out of the Mercedes. I would happily own cars from either manufacturer.
As others have said the Mercedes are great motorway cars, although when it comes to sporty handling the BMW is noticeably better. When it came to really long 500 plus miles per day in Europe, I definitely felt better getting out of the Mercedes. I would happily own cars from either manufacturer.
This one’s sold, but TGT do get them occasionally.
https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/accord-type-s-140422.h...
I’d suggest a Legacy turbo estate, but you’re not going to average 35mpg. 25mpg at best.
https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/accord-type-s-140422.h...
I’d suggest a Legacy turbo estate, but you’re not going to average 35mpg. 25mpg at best.
Owned quite a few Mercedes with the V6 diesel engine and it's very reliable, only real issue is the oil cooler seal leak.
As other have mentioned look out for the rear sub frame corrosion but mercedes are picking up the bill for that.
Make sure the gearbox has been serviced too or use it as bargaining for some ££s off a deal but there are that many for sale you could find one with a full decent service history.
Spec wise lookout for one with the intelligent lighting system they are superb headlights with a built in camera for oncoming cars to adjust the light pattern.
One point to note with the estates is that they have rear airbags that adjust to keep the car level when loaded. Not expensive to fix but more prone to leaks along the air tubes from the rear compressor.
As other have mentioned look out for the rear sub frame corrosion but mercedes are picking up the bill for that.
Make sure the gearbox has been serviced too or use it as bargaining for some ££s off a deal but there are that many for sale you could find one with a full decent service history.
Spec wise lookout for one with the intelligent lighting system they are superb headlights with a built in camera for oncoming cars to adjust the light pattern.
One point to note with the estates is that they have rear airbags that adjust to keep the car level when loaded. Not expensive to fix but more prone to leaks along the air tubes from the rear compressor.
GeniusOfLove said:
BUG4LIFE said:
If I wasn’t too worried about mpg (I promised myself, coming from 22mpg in my Jag, I’d try to be sensible and aim for well north of 30mpg), I’d get a Volvo V60 T6 (petrol, 6 cylinders, 300bhp+).
Now that is a car that is about as much fun to drive as an overloaded shopping trolley.MDMA . said:
This one’s sold, but TGT do get them occasionally.
https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/accord-type-s-140422.h...
I’d suggest a Legacy turbo estate, but you’re not going to average 35mpg. 25mpg at best.
Yes, an Accord Type S would be ideal, but at places like TGT, they're usually north of my budget. Might be lucky to bag a good one privately...but I don't think I've ever seen one for sale privately!https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/accord-type-s-140422.h...
I’d suggest a Legacy turbo estate, but you’re not going to average 35mpg. 25mpg at best.
I'm definitely a Legacy fan but like you say, no chance of 30mpg+ [I did 24mpg in my Forester].
GeniusOfLove said:
It's a cliche but this is exactly what the 330d touring was made for. I'm not sure I'd even bother with the 335d.
You are right...if a good 330d touring popped up for sale, I think I'd have to get it. There is a 335d for sale on AT at the mo for just under £9k...a 'lovely/brave' bronze colour with a matching interior [it's such a querky spec I can't help but like it]. I think it has sold as the owner didn't come back to my message.A think an RS Clio is still top of the list though!
cerb4.5lee said:
We put over a 100k miles on a 2017 GLC350d(3.0 V6 turbo diesel) and all it ever needed was a new waterpump. We currently have a 2022 GLE400d(3.0 straight 6 twin turbo diesel) and that is approaching 60k miles now. I do like the Merc 6 cylinder diesels for sure.
How are you finding the i6 over the V6? The V6 was very old hat by the end, I never rated it against the various twin turbo six cylinder alternatives, but I'm not the i6 is fantastic.GeniusOfLove said:
How are you finding the i6 over the V6? The V6 was very old hat by the end, I never rated it against the various twin turbo six cylinder alternatives, but I'm not the i6 is fantastic.
I really rate the straight 6 cheers. It is smooth and punchy, and it even makes a decent enough noise for a diesel too. I really liked the straight 6 twin turbo 3.0 diesel in the 640d we had, but the Merc straight 6 twin turbo 3.0 diesel even pips that for me. BUG4LIFE said:
MDMA . said:
This one’s sold, but TGT do get them occasionally.
https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/accord-type-s-140422.h...
I’d suggest a Legacy turbo estate, but you’re not going to average 35mpg. 25mpg at best.
Yes, an Accord Type S would be ideal, but at places like TGT, they're usually north of my budget. Might be lucky to bag a good one privately...but I don't think I've ever seen one for sale privately!https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/accord-type-s-140422.h...
I’d suggest a Legacy turbo estate, but you’re not going to average 35mpg. 25mpg at best.
I'm definitely a Legacy fan but like you say, no chance of 30mpg+ [I did 24mpg in my Forester].
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403217...
Monkeylegend said:
BUG4LIFE said:
Monkeylegend said:
Check for rear subframe corrosion before you buy on both C and E class. Hard to spot until it is too late as they rust from the inside out so be wary.
If it is a later BlueTec model do you research re adblue and NOX sensor issues.
Ah right...I've now been looking up rear subframe corrosion on this gen of Merc. It certainly is a thing! I'll ask the owner of the 350 I've seen if he's had it checked. It's a pre-facelift 2011 C-Class so not sure if it's a Bluets model or not?If it is a later BlueTec model do you research re adblue and NOX sensor issues.
I ran a 2011 C350 CDi (facelift) for 4 years from early 2017 to early 2021, taking it from 30k to 60k miles. It replaced a C350 (petrol) as shown above.
Of the 27 cars I've owned it's definitely in my top 5, not because it was super exciting (it wasn't) but because it absolutely nailed its brief of being a nice place to spend time and in terms of overall ownership experience, it was a delight.
Driving wise, it isn't a car you hustle, but it was plenty quick enough for me, with a 0-60 in the early sixes as I recall. You wouldn't wake up early to take it for a drive, but then that's true of any daily driven saloon in my experience. I never found the ride crashy and certainly it was better than BMWs of the era with their runflats. As for handling, I don't live in an area where there are great driving roads so I never really got to exploit it. Perhaps it was a touch more tied down than the W203 it replaced, but I couldn't say if it was better or worse than the A4 that replaced it, so it was clearly good enough.
Ownership wise, mine was an early facelift car and I assume a Mercedes management car due to the Milton Keynes reg and the £6k of options which included the active xenons lights. I replaced lower front thrust arms at 40k due to tyre wear on the inner shoulders which solved it and otherwise it was just regular servicing. I changed the front discs and pads myself and used MB items as they are unique to the V6 models but I don't recall them being that expensive. I sold it to a colleague who in 2022 had the subframe replaced under warranty so that's definitely a thing, as I don't live near the coast and/or regularly drive in very wet places.
Finally, they are uncommon as saloons and definitely rare as estates. The boot is big though and as a family of four it was always big enough for our holidays, trips to the airport etc.
So if you are looking for fun, I wouldn't, but if you want an easy to live with car that's quick, quiet and comfortable then it's perfect.
cerb4.5lee said:
GeniusOfLove said:
How are you finding the i6 over the V6? The V6 was very old hat by the end, I never rated it against the various twin turbo six cylinder alternatives, but I'm not the i6 is fantastic.
I really rate the straight 6 cheers. It is smooth and punchy, and it even makes a decent enough noise for a diesel too. I really liked the straight 6 twin turbo 3.0 diesel in the 640d we had, but the Merc straight 6 twin turbo 3.0 diesel even pips that for me. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff