2005 Mercedes E Class estate????.?.

[dave_s13]

Is this era of merc the ones riddled with rust??

I'm specifically going for a look at this tomorrow I think. No pictures but you get the Idea.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I'm intending to chop in my 2006 ford galaxy, 2.0 tdci as I'm just plain sick of it, and the clutch is starting to give trouble. Will it be a case of out of the frying pan into the fire or is that era of merc pretty strong?

[mellowman]

Check out Honest John's review of the E Class - the W211 line should be free of the earlier W210 water-based paint teething troubles.

There was a significant improvement with the MY2006, so worth homing in on the facelift models.

I remember Autocar at the time saying it was the best car for the real world, but they found that legroom and left foot resting space had been compromised and long journeys might niggle, so worth noting.

[dave_s13]

Cheers. The gist I'm getting re the w211 is anything after 2006 is a safe enough bet.

Before that and the risk is due to possibly dodgy electrics and the SBC pump packing in (may be covered by a recall though??).

Shame as that car is 2005 although you try finding one with the 7 seat option and a silky V6 petrol. I'm still off for a poke about anyway.

[ZX10R NIN]

There isn't a risk of rust plus that car will fine the SBC issues will be clear & also the electrics rarely play up on the W211 rust isn't an issue on the W211.

So you should go & take a look because as you say they're the proverbial rocking horse to get in that spec, buy on condition & you'll be fine.

[Monkeylegend]

My 2007 E didn't have SBC but if this one does have it Mercedes stopped any goodwill replacements a few years ago. It's not the end of the world though, so if it has it, and the cars good I would try and haggle a bit off or have a bit put aside just in case. They can sometimes be reset as well.

[dave_s13]

Just got back.

It was "alright". It hadn't been prepped for sale yet so a bit grubby inside and some kerbing on the alloys that was going to be sorted. Also various bits of trim about the place that I assume could be fixed back into place. No signs of rust and the pain seemed pretty good considering the age.

All 4 tyres had good tread but were random chinese jobbies, all different makes ranging from "Achilles" to "Sun-Li", they all showed signs of cracking within the treads too so probably been on there for years. The headlight lenses were cloudy too, oh and that left foot rest thing is a bit of an oversight, there isn't one.

On the plus side the engine and gearbox were creamy smooth and it drove really nicely indeed. One of the MPG readouts said 13.5mpg which was a bit alarming - I suspect it's been reset then just sat idling or moved about a few metres here and there. The salesman, who was typical, said it had just had a big service that cost circa £600, but the only evidence of such is their own stamp in the book, hmm.

All the electric gubbins worked but the sat nav looks all but prehistoric now and not much use (unless you can update it???) it didn't seem to be any Aux in either, I really want means of plugging my phone in so I can access DAB via that route.

Anyway. We agreed he was going to get it prepped for sale and I'm going to go back with the kids for a test fit. Then I may try to do a deal. The price they are asking, it really should be pretty much perfect. If it sells in the mean time so be it.

[Monkeylegend]

Check to see if that engine is one affected by the balancer shaft issues, it was an issue with the earlier 3.5 petrols.

There is a list of VIN/engine nos affected if you google and a big thread on MBUK Club which also has the serial nos of the engines involved I think.

[dave_s13]

Monkeylegend said:

Check to see if that engine is one affected by the balancer shaft issues, it was an issue with the earlier 3.5 petrols.

There is a list of VIN/engine nos affected if you google and a big thread on MBUK Club which also has the serial nos of the engines involved I think.

Thanks, Good tip.

I'm considering keeping the Ford now though, just had a quote of £675 to replace the clutch, DMF etc.....I'm not sure I can do it though, need to sleep on it. The old merc was certainly impressive.

One last question. Is 30mpg from the 3.5 V6 just a dream. I'm mainly around town with the odd long trip out.

[Monkeylegend]

dave_s13 said:

Monkeylegend said:

Check to see if that engine is one affected by the balancer shaft issues, it was an issue with the earlier 3.5 petrols.

There is a list of VIN/engine nos affected if you google and a big thread on MBUK Club which also has the serial nos of the engines involved I think.

Thanks, Good tip.

I'm considering keeping the Ford now though, just had a quote of £675 to replace the clutch, DMF etc.....I'm not sure I can do it though, need to sleep on it. The old merc was certainly impressive.

One last question. Is 30mpg from the 3.5 V6 just a dream. I'm mainly around town with the odd long trip out.

I have an SL350 with is the older 3.7 litre engine, very smooth, lovely rasp on full acceleration and if I am cruising can get 29 ish, have occasionally seen 30, but can easily get it down to low 20's and below with town and a bit of spirited driving. The 3.5 litre engine should be better than this, but it is a heavy car so I would think you will be pushing to get more than mid 30's on a decent run and less round town, maybe as low as mid 20's.

[Monkeylegend]

I see they have pointed you towards the balancer shaft issue over the other side, a good knowledgeable bunch over there, worth browsing if you do decide to go for the Merc.