My sensible car - Merc E320
Discussion
J4CKO said:
Your cars always look like new !
Thanks mate, I'll definitely take that as a complement. Admittedly, my other cars don't get a lot of driving so it's easy to keep them mint. With this one, I just wash it inside and out every other weekend (weather dependent). Plus these models seem to wear their mileage incredibly well. There's some wear on the drivers seat but the rest looks great. Alex_225 said:
I can only assume that being an early 00's example, some of the spec is a bit 90s haha.
The tape deck is there although thankfully a CD player as well, surprisingly the sound quality is excellent. I'd actually say better sound quality than my other half's '09 CLS which has a Harmon Kardon unit!
But yep, only half leather but heated and memory. Is an Avantgarde model so not sure what spec is that as standard but I can't complain for what it cost me.
Lovely looking car OP. The tape deck is there although thankfully a CD player as well, surprisingly the sound quality is excellent. I'd actually say better sound quality than my other half's '09 CLS which has a Harmon Kardon unit!
But yep, only half leather but heated and memory. Is an Avantgarde model so not sure what spec is that as standard but I can't complain for what it cost me.
But plenty of early 2000s cars did have that 90s cross-over spec - my 52 plate BMW Compact had a radio/cassette and CD-changer!
Your economy is impressive though - I had a BMW 123d for over 6 years and that only managed 48.7 mpg on the OBC. Maybe I should have got a 6-cylinder!
Anyway at that mileage for a diesel it's barely run-in - my petrol BMW 325i Touring is currently on 135K.
Edited by Mr Tidy on Saturday 8th September 00:57
Mr Tidy said:
Lovely looking car OP.
But plenty of early 2000s cars did have that 90s cross-over spec - my 52 plate BMW Compact had a radio/cassette and CD-changer!
Your economy is impressive though - I had a BMW 123d for over 6 years and that only managed 48.7 mpg on the OBC. Maybe I should have got a 6-cylinder!
Anyway at that mileage for a diesel it's barely run-in - my petrol BMW 325i Touring is currently on 135K.
It definitely has a bit of 90's-ness to it haha. Although like many of the Mercs of this era, it's got a tiny bit of rust right on the inner arches but has never got worse since I first got the car. But plenty of early 2000s cars did have that 90s cross-over spec - my 52 plate BMW Compact had a radio/cassette and CD-changer!
Your economy is impressive though - I had a BMW 123d for over 6 years and that only managed 48.7 mpg on the OBC. Maybe I should have got a 6-cylinder!
Anyway at that mileage for a diesel it's barely run-in - my petrol BMW 325i Touring is currently on 135K.
Edited by Mr Tidy on Saturday 8th September 00:57
Economy wise it's really not bad at all, although this is pretty much all motorway driving. Round town it's more like 25mpg, less if the engine is cold but as an overall average it's 45mpg+. I am light footed thought and as I do a 260 mile round trip four times a month, it makes a difference on the fuel costs.
My other half has the CLS350 CDI so the newer 3.0 V6 diesel but that doesn't seem to be capable of the the same economy but a smoother more refined engine.
Olivera said:
Just offloaded my e310 cdi as it was getting a bit long in the tooth.
Really nice place to sit though and very comfy. However the engine is pretty overated, bag of spanners refinement and only modest performance.
It's all about the comfort really, economy second and to be fair I'm a big fan of this engine. I mean it's not as refined as the later 3.0 V6 diesel but definitely better on fuel but since the re-map it's definitely quicker but still sounds like a tractor! hahaReally nice place to sit though and very comfy. However the engine is pretty overated, bag of spanners refinement and only modest performance.
I had a 2009 320CDi Sport as a run out model, the only half decent PCP deal I ever got! Had loads of extras like sunroof, etc.
I really liked it but the winter of 2009/2010 was not a kind one and when it was four months old it managed to get it stuck on a very slight incline on a country road. It was annoying seeing 15 year old Peugeot's fly up it in the snow while I was stranded alongside two newish BMW's!
Great engine and nice place to sit.
I really liked it but the winter of 2009/2010 was not a kind one and when it was four months old it managed to get it stuck on a very slight incline on a country road. It was annoying seeing 15 year old Peugeot's fly up it in the snow while I was stranded alongside two newish BMW's!
Great engine and nice place to sit.
Well every other weekend I give the daily car a thorough once over and followed up this weekend with a second coat of wax. Usually pre-wash with Valet Pro Citrus pre-wash and rinse, two buckets and dried with a few fluffy towels.
Then whipped out the Poorboys Natty's Paste Wax, had this stuff in my cupboard for ages so decided to use it on the E the other week and second coat today.
Always comes up looking nice
Interior got a quick once over as well
Added 100bhp as well! haha Actually just a cushion for my elbow on the long drives.
Then whipped out the Poorboys Natty's Paste Wax, had this stuff in my cupboard for ages so decided to use it on the E the other week and second coat today.
Always comes up looking nice
Interior got a quick once over as well
Added 100bhp as well! haha Actually just a cushion for my elbow on the long drives.
Mr Tidy said:
Alex_225 said:
Sadly the hazard of RWD in the snow.I keep a pair of snow socks in the boot during winter just in case
I put winter tyres on my BMW daily in October/November until April - worked fine with the "Beast from the East"! Plus the car would look quite cool on a purposeful set of tyres and black steels!
8IKERDAVE said:
Very nice and your detailing is extremely impressive! I've got a 2010 W212 and looking at yours it seems not that much has really changed. I can't believe you have front park sensors on a car of that age, I thought I was doing well with mine!
Thank you. I just endeavour to keep on top of it and clean it when I can. I do a fair few miles but mostly with just me in the car or me and my eldest daughter. It never ends up too dirty but I think it's a car worth treating well. Obviously the W212 is a much sharper, more modern looking car. Personally I do prefer it to the latest shape E Class. In terms of the creature comforts, I guess you would be hard pushed to outdo the W211 in some specs. I mean the tech has moved on as there's no Bluetooth or MP3 connection but the memory heated seats, as you mention parking sensors front and back etc. mean it's modern in many senses.
For me, comfort, decent power and economy are the main factors behind having this car. Realistically to take a decent step up on those things is likely to be S Class territory.
My parents had the same model of e class but on a 54. The heated and memory seats were both optional as were the parking sensors, 17 inch alloys, sunroof and air suspension. What is odd is that a car with such a high spec as yours would also be ordered with sat nav..or mb connect as they called it.
We all loved that car until it was sadly written off...have to say I much prefer your original alloys..but to each their own.
We all loved that car until it was sadly written off...have to say I much prefer your original alloys..but to each their own.
Edited by Paracetamol on Sunday 23 September 00:27
Paracetamol said:
my parents had the same model of e class but on a 54. The heated and memory seats were both optional as were the parking sensors, 17 inch alloys, sunroof and air suspension. what is odd is the very nice spec on yours that usually would also come with sat nav..or mb connect as they called it.
We all loved that car until it was sadly written off...have to say I much prefer your original alloys..but to each their own.
It does have satnav fitted, I've only used it the once to see if it works which it does but a really convoluted way to get addresses as well as it no doubt being well out of date means I use my iPhone haha. We all loved that car until it was sadly written off...have to say I much prefer your original alloys..but to each their own.
To be fair I did like the original alloys but I always felt they just looked too small and a bit bland. I saw a set of 18" Rucha wheels on an E Class but rare as anything so trying to find a set proved tricky as usually 16 or 17". I just think these look a lot more modern but without looking too modified, if that makes sense.
Got myself a new toy to play as well. My E has thrown up the odd error in the past which a local garage has read and sorted. I thought with three pre-2010 Mercs in the house, a code reader wouldn't go amiss. So got myself an iCarsoft MB V2 is a fairly generic code reader but with specific Merc software as well.
Handy thing with this is that it will also read any faults with the SRS which is the restraint system. A lot of code readers don't so I'm rather chuffed with this.
Edited by Alex_225 on Saturday 22 September 21:58
I thought since it's a dry day, I'd give the E a bit of tidy up since the harsh weather hasn't quite hit yet.
The car had done about 1,000 miles since the last wash so was in need. Started off with the wheels. Quick spray down with Autoglym Clean Wheels. I don't usually opt for wheel cleaners but had this left. Quick spray on, brushed and rinsed.
This is before I started. Not bad but not clean enough.
I decided on Dodo Juice products being the order of the day so gave the bodywork a once over with the usual two buckets, microfibre mitts and their Basics of Bling shampoo.
Once cleaned and dried, I opted for a once over with Need for Speed. This is essentially a polish that leaves behind a layer of Carnauba wax.
Despite the being able to use NFS as a stand alone product, it does leave a nice finish for a wax to be applied. I have a couple of 30ml panel pots of Dodo Juice Hard Candy so gave the car a layer.
You'd think with the car being pretty big and the pot of wax pretty small it wouldn't last, actually there's still plenty left after a coat. I'd genuinely expect another 3-4 coats out of a pot.
Finally the wheels received a quick layer of Red Mist, which is a spray on sealant. It lasts a few weeks on paintwork but held off applying it to the freshly waxed panels.
So here you go, a shiny protected W211!
Added a little window clinger as well, since it was quite fitting!
Just about had time to give the other half's CLS a clean before the light eventually vanished.
The car had done about 1,000 miles since the last wash so was in need. Started off with the wheels. Quick spray down with Autoglym Clean Wheels. I don't usually opt for wheel cleaners but had this left. Quick spray on, brushed and rinsed.
This is before I started. Not bad but not clean enough.
I decided on Dodo Juice products being the order of the day so gave the bodywork a once over with the usual two buckets, microfibre mitts and their Basics of Bling shampoo.
Once cleaned and dried, I opted for a once over with Need for Speed. This is essentially a polish that leaves behind a layer of Carnauba wax.
Despite the being able to use NFS as a stand alone product, it does leave a nice finish for a wax to be applied. I have a couple of 30ml panel pots of Dodo Juice Hard Candy so gave the car a layer.
You'd think with the car being pretty big and the pot of wax pretty small it wouldn't last, actually there's still plenty left after a coat. I'd genuinely expect another 3-4 coats out of a pot.
Finally the wheels received a quick layer of Red Mist, which is a spray on sealant. It lasts a few weeks on paintwork but held off applying it to the freshly waxed panels.
So here you go, a shiny protected W211!
Added a little window clinger as well, since it was quite fitting!
Just about had time to give the other half's CLS a clean before the light eventually vanished.
Well that was annoying, one very tight car park combined with having to turn round at an odd angle equals me catching the rear bumper of the E. B*gger!
As you can see it split the trim but also flexed the bumper cracking the paint. So off to the bodyshop last week, the chrome trim needed to be replaced which of course was part of the trim underneath, so that part was £90 plus the labour.
Got the car back Friday though and all is now well again apart from the car being absolutely filthy. Read somewhere about Sahara dust or something.
Quick clean up inside and out and looks how it should.
Back bumper is much better now.
Fitted a eBay special heel rest from eBay and actually for a tenner, I'm pleasantly surprised. Hasn't budged, quality is good but just needs the other pedals now! haha
Living up to the number plate, the door shuts were polished up a bit whilst I was cleaning it.
The original medical kit is still in tact and I assume contains it's original contents. Can't say I'd use it now but quite cool to have after 16 years!
Will tick over 135k at the weekend as well. Just had a service and MOT which it passed but needed a track rod end. Couple of things to address in the next few months but pretty good otherwise.
Still very respectable MPG as well. Next job on the list will be to polish and re-coat those headlights!
As you can see it split the trim but also flexed the bumper cracking the paint. So off to the bodyshop last week, the chrome trim needed to be replaced which of course was part of the trim underneath, so that part was £90 plus the labour.
Got the car back Friday though and all is now well again apart from the car being absolutely filthy. Read somewhere about Sahara dust or something.
Quick clean up inside and out and looks how it should.
Back bumper is much better now.
Fitted a eBay special heel rest from eBay and actually for a tenner, I'm pleasantly surprised. Hasn't budged, quality is good but just needs the other pedals now! haha
Living up to the number plate, the door shuts were polished up a bit whilst I was cleaning it.
The original medical kit is still in tact and I assume contains it's original contents. Can't say I'd use it now but quite cool to have after 16 years!
Will tick over 135k at the weekend as well. Just had a service and MOT which it passed but needed a track rod end. Couple of things to address in the next few months but pretty good otherwise.
Still very respectable MPG as well. Next job on the list will be to polish and re-coat those headlights!
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