E Class 270DCI - good buy?!
Discussion
Hello guys...
So, my commute to work has increased to 44 daily miles and I've been thinking about getting one of these.
The car in question, is a one owner, 2004 E Class 270DCI, with 70,000 miles on the clock.
Looks nice and straight, more toys than I actually need... it all looks good.
However, I've read a few really bad reviews on this particular model on Autotrader, and I'm just wondering, if these cars really do suffer from lots of problems, or is it simply the fact that a few people have been unlucky with their purchase?
Any real life expert/owner comments would be appreciated.
Many thanks!
So, my commute to work has increased to 44 daily miles and I've been thinking about getting one of these.
The car in question, is a one owner, 2004 E Class 270DCI, with 70,000 miles on the clock.
Looks nice and straight, more toys than I actually need... it all looks good.
However, I've read a few really bad reviews on this particular model on Autotrader, and I'm just wondering, if these cars really do suffer from lots of problems, or is it simply the fact that a few people have been unlucky with their purchase?
Any real life expert/owner comments would be appreciated.
Many thanks!
Big problem was the original radiator would split and leak, and this would leak into the gearbox cooling and write the gearbox off, and with it being a £9000 repair would write the car off in many cases.
However, they would have failed by now or been replaced.
The other issue is the SBC brake system, very good system but it is limited to 200,000 pedal presses, you then need to fit a new pump between £1100-1700 depending where done.
It is a matter of when it happens.
Later cars from mid 2005 are meant to give 400k presses, as the 200k was sometimes happening at 80k miles, and the pump is good for half a million at least, it was a 'let's play it safe' figure.
You can buy a unit for £50 that resets the counter, by either 25%, 50, 75 or 100% to extend the life, but can only be used once.
But what if the previous owner had already reset it?
Messing with brakes is not the greatest idea.
The 270cdi engine.
The swirl flaps can get gunked up and cause them to stick, not known to snap like on BMWs, but when the do they leak oil, and the motor to open and close them is underneath, this then gets oil in it and fails, causing limp mode.
You can disconnect the motor and put a 5p resistor on the end so it doesn't cause issues, a 2004 will keep the flaps closed, which is what you want.
Or you can put blanking plates on the manifold, or both.
The injectors on these can leak and cause black death, a build up of a carbon crust.
You can hear the injectors spitting, and lift the engine cover, you may even see fuel being spat out, more when it is up to temp.
Search google for '270 black death'
The fix is easy, injector out, new washer (which gets worn and is why they leak) and then recut and back in.
I had two done last week, under £100.
These engines will go for half a million miles if looked after, and always horror stories, but I think they are fine, as is the W211 E Class.
If you could find a facelift (sept 2006) e220cdi though for similar money they are better cars.
However, they would have failed by now or been replaced.
The other issue is the SBC brake system, very good system but it is limited to 200,000 pedal presses, you then need to fit a new pump between £1100-1700 depending where done.
It is a matter of when it happens.
Later cars from mid 2005 are meant to give 400k presses, as the 200k was sometimes happening at 80k miles, and the pump is good for half a million at least, it was a 'let's play it safe' figure.
You can buy a unit for £50 that resets the counter, by either 25%, 50, 75 or 100% to extend the life, but can only be used once.
But what if the previous owner had already reset it?
Messing with brakes is not the greatest idea.
The 270cdi engine.
The swirl flaps can get gunked up and cause them to stick, not known to snap like on BMWs, but when the do they leak oil, and the motor to open and close them is underneath, this then gets oil in it and fails, causing limp mode.
You can disconnect the motor and put a 5p resistor on the end so it doesn't cause issues, a 2004 will keep the flaps closed, which is what you want.
Or you can put blanking plates on the manifold, or both.
The injectors on these can leak and cause black death, a build up of a carbon crust.
You can hear the injectors spitting, and lift the engine cover, you may even see fuel being spat out, more when it is up to temp.
Search google for '270 black death'
The fix is easy, injector out, new washer (which gets worn and is why they leak) and then recut and back in.
I had two done last week, under £100.
These engines will go for half a million miles if looked after, and always horror stories, but I think they are fine, as is the W211 E Class.
If you could find a facelift (sept 2006) e220cdi though for similar money they are better cars.
As above really - the car you're looking at could be good. If it had the autobox issue (known as the Valeo issue) then it would probably have surfaced by now although still worth checking.
SBC is the big unknown but not the end of the world it used to be.
I would suggest don't be blinded by 1 owner low miles and overpay for the car.
An alternative would be a facelift (mid 2004 onwards) C Class. The engine related issues are still possible, but it doesn't have the ATF or SBC problem.
SBC is the big unknown but not the end of the world it used to be.
I would suggest don't be blinded by 1 owner low miles and overpay for the car.
An alternative would be a facelift (mid 2004 onwards) C Class. The engine related issues are still possible, but it doesn't have the ATF or SBC problem.
We've a 04 E270cdi estate currently on 197k miles and its a lovely family holdall. Quite, pleasent to drive, economical and feels good for the same distance again... Definitely test drive and reject if there are niggles in the way they drive - my feeling is that condition and history is more important than miles with these cars
GTIR said:
The facelift E220 also suffered from "Black Death" and some injectors (Bosch?) are £300 a piece.
I know because my old E220 (07) suffered from this.
Personally I'd go for a facelift E220. Reliable engines and less hassle five speed box.
Mine did 460k.
But very rare for the injector to fail. I know because my old E220 (07) suffered from this.
Personally I'd go for a facelift E220. Reliable engines and less hassle five speed box.
Mine did 460k.
Mercedes replace the injector when they leak, it only needs a new seal 999 times out of 1000.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff