2004-2006 C / E class - Engines and Trans to avoid , help

2004-2006 C / E class - Engines and Trans to avoid , help

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joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
quotequote all
Looking at getting a sub £4000 (preferably sub 3k) Mercedes . Why mercedes? I think for this budget they've aged well and I really want an automatic which are in abundance for this marque Vs Audi and BMW.

Engine:
Fuel economy is nice but not that important, 30 minute commute . I'm more concerned about reliability at 100k miles ish and beyond. If it's petrol I'd prefer 6 cylinder but diesel not bothered (want some torque at least)

Gearbox:
Has to be auto
Has to have manual override (understand merc not as sporty as BMW etc)
Rather 5 speed plus (saw one advert saying 4 speed not sure how common this is)
Definitely not a CVT or dual clutch , are any? Seen on the b class etc.

Some recommendations appreciated. The ones I have saved locally are
E240 2.6 2004, (tax high bhp low though)
E270 2.7 5 cylinder diesel 2004 and a 2003
E220 2.1 4 cylinder diesel 2006 (1.5k more than the others)

Are there any major problems with these engines and also, do they share the same gearbox and how reliable is this?

Should I try and get newer Vs mileage or vice versa? The 2006 is £4k but might be worth the extra, I deive a 2.0d at the moment but it's 190bhp 6 speed manual so will be quite a bit more powerful.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
quotequote all
240 petrol very thirsty.

270cdi has serious issues with swirlflaps and is a good 12 hour job to remove/sort them.
They also have issues with EGR etc. etc.
I would seriously avoid it, as repairs for simple stuff can be serious money, and it goes into limp mode for lots of things.

5 speed autos on all 211 models up to MY07, so from 56 plates.
The 5 speed autos are pretty reliable, but are getting to the age where if they haven't been serviced (99% haven't) they may be causing issues wit solenoids, electronic plate etc. etc.

Also, all 5 speed autos will have SBC brakes too.
Now, you need to try and find the date of the SBC pump.
Early cars had 200,000 pedal presses before needing a new pump, later cars 400,000, early cars could be coded to double the life.

Ber careful though, you can buy a gadget to reset the sbc counter for £50 from China, so you really need to go by date, someone may have reset the yellow light, and you could end up with a red one after 1000 miles.
You can buy the pump from Bosch direct now, £800 instead of £1700 from Mercedes.



If it were me I would only look for a facelift 7 speed, E350 petrol if possible or E320cdi if not.
The 220cdi is OK on facelift, but feels a bit underpowered and can be thirsty on short runs dragging that heavy car around.


Facelift vs Pre...




I loved my E320 S211 estate, genuinely loved it after years of BMWs.
However, I just bought an older car again as I had sold my 2012 E350 estate and out of the E Class and BMW I chose a BMW.

I would not want to own a pre facelift 211 E Class, and I have a garage so free labour. Unless of course you know the sbc brake have been done recently.

Edited by gizlaroc on Sunday 22 July 11:12

MercedesClassic

865 posts

96 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
quotequote all
This is most useful to me as I'm searching also. Had a 2004 E200 Avant-garde estate shortlisted as it was immaculate, loads of services and paperwork and rare 7 seats. I didn't get to view it and advert gone.
Snooze ya lose.
I'm kinda going cool on the idea as so many horror stories with pre facelift and think the post facelift are comparatively more expensive. Just fitted a new SBC pump into my SL55 don't want to have to do that on car I'm buying to save cash.
Although some owners adore them, have zero issues and have 600,000 miles on the clock!
Owners must be wise to post cars being more desirable/reliable.
Might just keep on leasing my perfect 320d until end of term for peace of mind.
Anyone persuade me otherwise?

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
quotequote all
The first three letters after the B below show the manufacturer date of the pump.....



This is Bosch's manufacturer date codes...


This is where it is located...



I would want to make sure the pump had been replaced in the last 5 years at least, if it is an original it is probably about to go.
But look at the date and then the MOT history to see how many miles it has done.


Also, some of the facelift E280cdi are going for around £4500, probably the best buy in the range for a cheap, reliable car.
I am talking estates, saloons may be cheaper?

Sheepshanks

32,522 posts

118 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
Also, all 5 speed autos will have SBC brakes too.
Just a clarification for the OP - that's E Class specific, C Class doesn't have SBC.

joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
quotequote all
Thanks this is great info. I too have a 320d. It's reliable comfortable and cheap to run...but it's tied up cash I need for a move ideally.hence I have to be strict with budget or it becomes pointless selling it.

Does the c class have 5 speed auto too? Lovely one locally but the guy selling it has called it a 4 speed Tectonic. I suspect Ill informed. It's the 2.1 diesel too so could be a winner.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
quotequote all
Sorry, yeah, I am only talking E Classes.

I just bought a 52 plate C220cdi to get me out of a pickle, I paid peanuts and the idea was drive it around while looking for the next car, but my wife loves it and said she is more than happy to tootle around in it.

I had a 55 plate C320cdi as well, bought for the same reason, that was a great car and I ended up keeping it for nearly a year, I only needed something for 5 weeks.


MercedesClassic

865 posts

96 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
quotequote all
So I think today I've looked at every S211 for sale in the UK. Then....I noticed for slightly more £5k+ you can get into a younger S212 estate. I've seen a couple of E250 CDIs in the £5k-£7k bracket with decent looks and specs.
Is there a difference in the AMG Sport and the Sport? Best engine combo in these? Things to look out for etc?
I'd prefer a column shift car but I think they were later in the facelift therefore more expensive?
I'm away to do the gardening I was meant to do this morning! ;-)

Monkeylegend

26,226 posts

230 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
quotequote all
The 2.1L diesel mated to the 5g box will be very reliable as long as it has a proper maintenance record.

I have driven four C/E220CDi's with that combination a total of 1.1 million miles without a single engine or gearbox issue,my current one is on 302k and still running well.

Make sure the transmission fluids have been changed regularly and there is verifiable evidence of correct servicing and you won't go far wrong.

goldieandblackie

229 posts

93 months

Monday 23rd July 2018
quotequote all
Look at later cars as i brought a 2008 58 plate E320cdi with auto box and heated/cooled/massage seats with 131k on the clock and 1 owner from new with a full Mercedes service history for £2800 last november.

joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Monday 23rd July 2018
quotequote all
Christ that's cheap. How do they fare with mileage ? I know that's a tricky one but is this era a weak point for Mercedes ? Is the 7 speed full auto?

I sold my 530d auto on 115k and it felt great apart from a couple of gearbox quirks

goldieandblackie

229 posts

93 months

Monday 23rd July 2018
quotequote all
Its been very good, it needed a major service at 135k,so i changed all the fluids including the gearbox and diff oil.
The old chap i brought it from wanted to get a petrol as he had it in his mind that the local council where going to start taxing diesel cars for driving into the city centre.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Monday 23rd July 2018
quotequote all
joropug said:
Christ that's cheap. How do they fare with mileage ? I know that's a tricky one but is this era a weak point for Mercedes ? Is the 7 speed full auto?

I sold my 530d auto on 115k and it felt great apart from a couple of gearbox quirks
Prices on this age of cars has gone up massively since last year.

There were quite a lot under 4K last year.


They cope with miles brilliantly, loads on 300k with no issues.


goldieandblackie

229 posts

93 months

Monday 23rd July 2018
quotequote all
True and as long as you have the oil and filter changed every 7500 miles they should be very reliable.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9L-Vacuum-Oil-Fluid-Suc...

Monkeylegend

26,226 posts

230 months

Monday 23rd July 2018
quotequote all
goldieandblackie said:
True and as long as you have the oil and filter changed every 7500 miles they should be very reliable.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9L-Vacuum-Oil-Fluid-Suc...
Every 15k with all mine and 300k miles with ease.

goldieandblackie

229 posts

93 months

Monday 23rd July 2018
quotequote all
No change the oil every 7500 miles in between each service as this will help extend the life of the engine and turbo.

Monkeylegend

26,226 posts

230 months

Monday 23rd July 2018
quotequote all
I have run each of my three E220CDi's to 300k plus each, the current one on 302k with no issues whatsoever.

They have all been serviced when the car has called for it and that has been between 15 and 18k miles every time. No need to do more than that, as verified by my Mercedes dealer who have serviced all my Mercs for the last 14 years, and with my mileage they had a vested interest to tell me I should service more frequently.

No point in wasting money.

waterwonder

995 posts

175 months

Monday 23rd July 2018
quotequote all
I ran a E280 facelift for about 18 months and 30k it was a stop gap really as i needed something quickly. Nice car to travel in and effortless cruiser. 35-40mpg on a run at a decent lick.

Pretty solid but not without its problems even if it is I think in theory the pick of the range.

Things to look out for which are relatively common:
Glowplugs - can fail which in itself not a problem but can be a bugger to get out.

Speed sensors go on the gearbox which was a bit pricey to sort. Can't remember exactly but £600/£700 I think

Turbo actuator. Mine went, was refurbished, went again replaced again and the fault came back again. This is ultimately why I sold the car as I think actually the variable vanes on the turbo had coked up but never did get to the bottom of it as decided to move onto something else. If it'd been an estate I'd of probably chased the problem down.

Nothing in itself terminal or that serious but not cheap as chips motoring. These are getting on a bit and parts/consumables are expensive.




goldieandblackie

229 posts

93 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
You can change the oil and filter yourself very cheaply, but each to there own, its something i've always done.
If your out on the motorway every day then just stick with regular service, but i also do a lot of city driving.

Monkeylegend

26,226 posts

230 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
goldieandblackie said:
You can change the oil and filter yourself very cheaply, but each to there own, its something i've always done.
If your out on the motorway every day then just stick with regular service, but i also do a lot of city driving.
The car will take into account if you do a lot of town work and will adjust servicing intervals accordingly. Nothing wrong with doing additional oil changes but I don't think this will necessarily have any impact on longevity.

Using the correct specification oil is probably more critical.