200k+ 2015 E class what's not to like?
Discussion
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I'm after a big estate. I'm not scared of miles. My neighbour retired last month and he was doing 100k a year in E class, 5 series etc and his cars were still like new after 3 years (his were saloons or I would have tried to buy one).
The miles obviously scare people off, but as a car to keep for 10 years / 100k it will be worthless at the end anyway. I figure most engine wear is done cold and this would have the same number of cold starts as any other daily car. I suppose rubber engine and suspension mounts / shocks may be due replacement at a younger than usual age. But on a 10 year proposition they would likely need done at some point anyway, and the price is low to account for this.
So apart from checking its been serviced on the dot is there anything particular to be concerned about with this generation car/engine?
I'm after a big estate. I'm not scared of miles. My neighbour retired last month and he was doing 100k a year in E class, 5 series etc and his cars were still like new after 3 years (his were saloons or I would have tried to buy one).
The miles obviously scare people off, but as a car to keep for 10 years / 100k it will be worthless at the end anyway. I figure most engine wear is done cold and this would have the same number of cold starts as any other daily car. I suppose rubber engine and suspension mounts / shocks may be due replacement at a younger than usual age. But on a 10 year proposition they would likely need done at some point anyway, and the price is low to account for this.
So apart from checking its been serviced on the dot is there anything particular to be concerned about with this generation car/engine?
Not quite the same but my friend has a 2013 C220 CDI on 160k miles and it seems to have been pretty much faultless for him. I've been impressed how solid it seems to be with the interior showing very little wear. Seems like they're built to do high mileage! Sounds like you're buying with the right attitude to run it into the ground. Only thing to check really is the servicing has been carried out properly to schedule to indicate it has been looked after properly.
Just about run in.
In 305k miles mine has had a water pump at 220k miles and one rear shock had a top mount with a very slight knock, and still does 50+ on a decent run.
Make sure it has a proper service history and it would be worthwhile having the ATF changed if it hasn't been done, even if Merc say the box is sealed for life.
In 305k miles mine has had a water pump at 220k miles and one rear shock had a top mount with a very slight knock, and still does 50+ on a decent run.
Make sure it has a proper service history and it would be worthwhile having the ATF changed if it hasn't been done, even if Merc say the box is sealed for life.
Monkeylegend said:
Just about run in.
In 305k miles mine has had a water pump at 220k miles and one rear shock had a top mount with a very slight knock, and still does 50+ on a decent run.
Make sure it has a proper service history and it would be worthwhile having the ATF changed if it hasn't been done, even if Merc say the box is sealed for life.
They're not anything like just about run in. The gearboxes, suspension have all seen 100k miles worth of driving. It will be riddled with rattles at this point and be pretty tired feeling. They are a dull and ponderous car to drive too with an average ride quality. The headlights are good and that is about it. In 305k miles mine has had a water pump at 220k miles and one rear shock had a top mount with a very slight knock, and still does 50+ on a decent run.
Make sure it has a proper service history and it would be worthwhile having the ATF changed if it hasn't been done, even if Merc say the box is sealed for life.
I don't get where these mega miles no trouble Mercs come from. All of mine between 50-80k (and I've had 5 in total) have had issues with the gearbox, rust, wheel bearings, more rust, engine faults ranging from small leaks to needing new injectors and inlet manifolds, random warning lights and sensor issues).
The only one that gave me no trouble was a 33k miler I off loaded at 52k miles, simply because I lost my licence. Had I ran that longer I'd have had every confidence too it would have played up.
Quite simply, if the OP likes breaking down and getting lousy service at the dealerships and repeated trips to get things fixed a 100k miles Mercedes is a perfect fit.
If they like something that works, they should buy a proper car with less miles on it.
st4 said:
Monkeylegend said:
Just about run in.
In 305k miles mine has had a water pump at 220k miles and one rear shock had a top mount with a very slight knock, and still does 50+ on a decent run.
Make sure it has a proper service history and it would be worthwhile having the ATF changed if it hasn't been done, even if Merc say the box is sealed for life.
They're not anything like just about run in. The gearboxes, suspension have all seen 100k miles worth of driving. It will be riddled with rattles at this point and be pretty tired feeling. They are a dull and ponderous car to drive too with an average ride quality. The headlights are good and that is about it. In 305k miles mine has had a water pump at 220k miles and one rear shock had a top mount with a very slight knock, and still does 50+ on a decent run.
Make sure it has a proper service history and it would be worthwhile having the ATF changed if it hasn't been done, even if Merc say the box is sealed for life.
I don't get where these mega miles no trouble Mercs come from. All of mine between 50-80k (and I've had 5 in total) have had issues with the gearbox, rust, wheel bearings, more rust, engine faults ranging from small leaks to needing new injectors and inlet manifolds, random warning lights and sensor issues).
The only one that gave me no trouble was a 33k miler I off loaded at 52k miles, simply because I lost my licence. Had I ran that longer I'd have had every confidence too it would have played up.
Quite simply, if the OP likes breaking down and getting lousy service at the dealerships and repeated trips to get things fixed a 100k miles Mercedes is a perfect fit.
If they like something that works, they should buy a proper car with less miles on it.
I am on my 4th, the first did 160k miles and the last 3 all over 300k with virtually no issues at all and total reliability. No rattles, no creaks, nothing broken inside, everything still worked/works electrically, and not a single engine or gearbox issue.
Than again I don't thrash mine and service them properly and I don't have an axe to grind against all things Mercedes
Of course compared to the many millions sold worldwide, there will be a few problems with individual cars, but all the taxi/chauffeur drivers around the world can't be wrong.
In the 20 or so years I have been driving them I have had many work colleagues who have owned numerous Mercs down the years, all driven mega miles and they would all say the same thing without exception.
Edited by Monkeylegend on Friday 4th January 18:34
Monkeylegend said:
See you haven't changed much
I am on my 4th, the first did 160k miles and the last 3 all over 300k with virtually no issues at all and total reliability. No rattles, no creaks, nothing broken inside, everything still worked/works electrically, and not a single engine or gearbox issue.
Than again I don't thrash mine and service them properly and I don't have an axe to grind against all things Mercedes
Of course compared to the many millions sold worldwide, there will be a few problems with individual cars, but all the taxi/chauffeur drivers around the world can't be wrong.
In the 20 or so years I have been driving them I have had many work colleagues who have owned numerous Mercs down the years, all driven mega miles and they would all say the same thing without exception.
I’m happy for you but satisfaction surveys frequently put Japanese cars like Lexus, Toyota and Honda near the top. There’s a reason - because they’re reliable, dependable and built to a far higher standard than any European made car.I am on my 4th, the first did 160k miles and the last 3 all over 300k with virtually no issues at all and total reliability. No rattles, no creaks, nothing broken inside, everything still worked/works electrically, and not a single engine or gearbox issue.
Than again I don't thrash mine and service them properly and I don't have an axe to grind against all things Mercedes
Of course compared to the many millions sold worldwide, there will be a few problems with individual cars, but all the taxi/chauffeur drivers around the world can't be wrong.
In the 20 or so years I have been driving them I have had many work colleagues who have owned numerous Mercs down the years, all driven mega miles and they would all say the same thing without exception.
Edited by Monkeylegend on Friday 4th January 18:34
Owners forums are riddled with complaints with German car makes. The Japanese ones not nearly so much.
I can’t wait for no deal Brexit if it means less of these over priced and under performing cars litter our hard shoulders.
Truly you must have been lucky. All my Mercedes, maintained regardless of cost (I’m not a PCP clown and can actually afford to buy and run a car) gave serious issues quite early on in their lifespans if you believe this 200k moon miles barely run in man on the internet twaddle.
Fleets choose to run these cars because for some unknown reason they hold their value and they have a cachet. The perception does in no way match the reality.
The car here is a 220cdi. I’ve owned two - it’ll be very unrefined and quite slow. The same money will buy a newer and just as slow and unrefined but better screwed together Ford Mondeo.
Edited by st4 on Friday 4th January 19:05
Monkeylegend said:
I wouldn't class 137mph as slow, or whatever it was
It’s not exactly fast though - not even double the NSL which is the lowest in the entire developed western world. Refinement would not be great either and I should know - I’ve owned 2 4 clyinder diesel Mercedes. Edit - one of these had an incurable gearbox judder. My last E class and brief ownership of an S class were both the 350cdi varieties. They still intolerably unrefinedcompared to a petrol but night and day better than a 4 cylinder diesel.
Oddly the S was much faster - the E class on the way through Germany would only hit 148mph on the speedometer which meant it was probably only topping out at 145mph - which for a car with a 3litre engine is atrociously slow. Acceralation wasn’t that good either and when the injectors went sayonara that was the final straw in a car that over 32k miles needed 2 services (ok) but five additional trips to the garage to sort out fuel leaks, leaking steering rack, engine sensor faults and oxygen sensors. The previous E320cdi injectors were ok - the blue efficieny ones not so, but it’s party peice was rusting and manifold consumption with front springs and wheel bearings to add in.
The S class was laughably bad and I didn’t have it long. It had a string of limp home modes all different to that of the E but it did rattle less but the cars failure to sit level and not fire warning lights meant after a few weeks it went.
My point is the quality isn’t there - they all performed differently-had totally different faults that stemmed not just from poor design and engineering but poor manufacturing and low quality componentry.
Needless to say I really wouldn’t have another. I drive a Lexus and I’d recommend this to the OP but they don’t make estates. A nice phase 3 Volvo v70 would be in budget and having had the S80 (saloon equivalent) Id day this would be a nicer car to own. Great seats in these and better than those in the S class never mind the E. No rattles, better drive (unashamedly unsporting but at least a good ride which the E didn’t have).
For £8k you won’t get a tired ex Taxi moon miles one either.
Edited by st4 on Friday 4th January 21:12
Sheepshanks said:
You need to use them more - OP is talking about cars that do 50-100K per year.
Cars seem to go wrong more with age than miles.
But I did. Not quite 50-100k but all about 20k/yr on out of town long journeys. Christ mine couldn’t even hold up for a trip round Europe, needing low loader rescued outside Toulouse. My Lexus and Volvo have all done big foreignroad trips without incident but not the Mercedes cars. That says it all..Cars seem to go wrong more with age than miles.
The more I think on it the more the OP would be better finding a freshish V70
It’ll have a dpf so expect to make your journeys longer because it starts regeneration near your home/destination keep going until it’s finished so it doesn’t clog up. They’re that unfit for purpose.
Edited by st4 on Friday 4th January 21:26
I'd have no issue buying and running this car. OP's logic is sound - in 10 years the car will still fetch 2k probably.
Maintain it, drive it with sympathy and you shouldn't have major issues. I've never had any major issues with any car I've owned, some of them for around 6 years. I do preventative maintenance where possible and don't count maintenance items as some sort of issue with the car's reliability.
Maintain it, drive it with sympathy and you shouldn't have major issues. I've never had any major issues with any car I've owned, some of them for around 6 years. I do preventative maintenance where possible and don't count maintenance items as some sort of issue with the car's reliability.
Thanks for the responses!
I have an old Porsche as current DD so not averse to constantly fixing things, but its one of the things I'd rather not do on two cars.
The car would never see a dealer beyond any warranty, I plan for this purchase to be a ten year keeper so I would be looking after it.
I have an old Porsche as current DD so not averse to constantly fixing things, but its one of the things I'd rather not do on two cars.
The car would never see a dealer beyond any warranty, I plan for this purchase to be a ten year keeper so I would be looking after it.
Edited by was8v on Friday 4th January 21:49
was8v said:
Thanks for the responses!
I have an old Porsche as current DD so not averse to constantly fixing things, but its one of the things I'd rather not do on two cars.
The car would never see a dealer beyond any warranty, I plan for this purchase to be a ten year keeper so I would be looking after it.
If you’re keeping it that long any 200k miler is utter madness. I have an old Porsche as current DD so not averse to constantly fixing things, but its one of the things I'd rather not do on two cars.
The car would never see a dealer beyond any warranty, I plan for this purchase to be a ten year keeper so I would be looking after it.
Edited by was8v on Friday 4th January 21:49
st4 said:
If you’re keeping it that long any 200k miler is utter madness.
Why? will probably do 80k in that time.Loads of old ones on 300k+
There will be plenty of these 4 cylinder merc engines in scrappies cheap cheap in the years to come.
I'll keep it until it rusts away, my 996 is starting to at 20 years old. That only has 136k though.
Edited by was8v on Saturday 5th January 21:20
was8v said:
Why? will probably do 80k in that time.
Loads of old ones on 300k+
There will be plenty of these 4 cylinder merc engines in scrappies cheap cheap in the years to come.
I'll keep it until it rusts away, my 996 is starting to at 20 years old. That only has 136k though.
There many many more that haven’t made 200k and the engines in the scrappies are there for a reason. Very few cars as a % make it to 200k miles - for a reason. It will be on its very last legs. Loads of old ones on 300k+
There will be plenty of these 4 cylinder merc engines in scrappies cheap cheap in the years to come.
I'll keep it until it rusts away, my 996 is starting to at 20 years old. That only has 136k though.
Edited by was8v on Saturday 5th January 21:20
If the cars tired now, and it will be, just wait until it’s got another 80k on it.
st4 said:
There many many more that haven’t made 200k and the engines in the scrappies are there for a reason. Very few cars as a % make it to 200k miles - for a reason. It will be on its very last legs.
If the cars tired now, and it will be, just wait until it’s got another 80k on it.
Is your Lexus a diesel? I’m after a C350 CDI... i’d Prefer jap but everyone appears to complain about the reliability of Toyota/Lexus dieselsIf the cars tired now, and it will be, just wait until it’s got another 80k on it.
CX53 said:
Is your Lexus a diesel? I’m after a C350 CDI... i’d Prefer jap but everyone appears to complain about the reliability of Toyota/Lexus diesels
It's not a horrible diesel but a sublime 2.5 V6 direct injection petrol. The GS 250 is a really good car and I still get 40mpg from it, over actually and nearly 50mpg is possible. Nothing goes wrong with the later V6'sAs diesels the 2.2 has head gasket problems but no issues with timing gear like BMW - although I have an 2.0 D4D Rav 4 and the engine is faultless - more so than the 3 V6 OM642 (which the 350cdi is) engined cars I owned. The Lexus diesel is probably a safer bet than a German diesel. It's unreliable compared to the petrol but better than any German engine.
A C350cdi will be faster than an IS250 or GS250 but no more economical and a lot less reliable. You'll also enjoy working the engine and the roar is fantastic - there's no joy in the OM642- it's a powerplant, not an engine. It's a reminder of how cars should be and makes the car rewarding to drive when pressing on and refined in a way no diesel isn't when you're just mooching. They also have a far better ride/handling than a C class or E class and are altogether a superior car.
For the last ten years I've owned diseasals and since I got my Lexus I realise I've made terrible motoring choices over that decade. The car is smooth, sonorous, reliable, better to drive, more comfortable, better made than any Mercedes diesel. I wish I got one sooner, like a lot sooner.
A GS250, IS250, RCF, GS-F would be amazing for you.
Edited by st4 on Sunday 6th January 13:03
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mk1coopers said:
I drove a Lexus once, didn't like the DAF variomatic style gearbox in it, all cars are a combination of 1000's of parts all made by the lowest bidder, problems can happen at any time on any make, look after things and invariably they will look after you
The ones I mention have a conventional gearbox, made by Aisin. The hybrids do have the eCVT which is remarkably reliable and durable - unlike say the CVT in a Nissan Duke. Problems can occur, but are far more likely to occur in certain makes and certain models where there are fundamental design/engineering faults or particularly poor components. BMW and Mercedes top the list for this. Hence why you read of tales of woe regarding BMW N47 & Merc M271/2 engines and Nissan Juke CVT gearboxes (and the odd bore scoring in 3.8l 997 911's) but very very few (if any) about the 4.6 V8 that goes in a Lexus LS460 or indeed it's transmission.
Why - because even if both are well maintained one is fundamentally very badly designed with poor components and the other is exceptionally well designed and built with good components.
So, buy rubbish, get rubbish - doesn't matter how well it's looked after so you are not quite correct - buy a car from a maker known to make unreliable cars and you will more than likely get an unreliable car. This car has done over 200k miles from a maker known for patchy build quality - the OM651 engine has been described as a pile of crap by a few Mercedes specialists I know. It's not a recipe for a dependable car.
Edited by st4 on Sunday 6th January 16:42
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