E Class or Mondeo

[stevemcs]

I'm looking at replacing a Mk3 Mondeo Estate with something a little newer, although the main reason is I want an auto. So the current choice is a Mk4 Mondeo estate with autobox or a S211 E Class must likely a 320, budget is 4k which should see me in a 07 merc or 2010 Mondeo with around 100k on the clock.

Comfort is the main requirement as well as space for 4 people.

[W201_190e]

Vastly different running costs for the Mercedes, they are prone to tricky and expensive issues at this age. The Mondeo won't be like that.

[stevemcs]

True, Mondeo is a bit hit and miss with the gearbox. E Class usually comes with a better spec.

Issues with the E Class from what I can see are turbo and o rings on the oil cooler. I know they suffer with corroded brake pipes and are heavy on front suspension.

[W201_190e]

stevemcs said:

True, Mondeo is a bit hit and miss with the gearbox. E Class usually comes with a better spec.

Issues with the E Class from what I can see are turbo and o rings on the oil cooler. I know they suffer with corroded brake pipes and are heavy on front suspension.

Rear pipes are probably subframe out, they are on the C Class, 8-10 hours of labour! Not fun. Most Mercs of the era suffer from this, recently we've done a 2012 E350!

[stevemcs]

I'm pretty sure we have done the rear pipes on a S211, we have a W203 to do this week, Its split it just before the OSR flex, but its crusty as it runs across the subframe and disappears over the top of the fuel tank. We are hoping to be able to drop the tank down enough without having to get involved with dropping the prop.

[Sir Bagalot]

5 Series?

TBH at that money I'd be in a Mondeo all day long. Get a nice Tit X

[DoubleD]

Sir Bagalot said:

Get a nice Tit X

A what?

[Sir Bagalot]

DoubleD said:

Sir Bagalot said:

Get a nice Tit X

A what?

A Tit X

Mondeo Titanium X

[sosidge]

DoubleD said:

Sir Bagalot said:

Get a nice Tit X

A what?

Username checks out.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Mondeo Titanium X as it's a nice mix of newness & spec but your budget will only land you a 140 in Auto spec.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

320 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Avantgarde

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

E220 Avantgarde

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Also take a look at the Insignia you'll get a nice one for your budget (SRI or above as the standard seats aren't to supportive)

Elite Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

The C5 is agood mix of age space comfort & pace:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[stevemcs]

3 series is out as its too small, 5 series it would have to be a 3.0 but the ones around 4k are high miles. I did have the Insignia on the list of potentials but i've always been a Ford man over Vauxhall.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd normally go for the Mondeo (I did) but at the same time with your budget I think the Insignia is well worth a look.

[Matoakwell]

If you're looking at auto MK4's, try and avoid the powershift boxes unless they have full history of servicing as these are the ones that like to shat themselves if not correctly looked after. You should be able to get a decent 2.2 for £4k which will not have powershift.

[stevemcs]

The trouble with the 2.2 is that they are rare, there is 1 on Autotrader, mileage is 134k and I’d like to be closer to 100k and it doesn’t have xenon.

The C5 is nice but I cannot get on with the steering wheel.

[stevemcs]

Insignia is out, sat in one today and just didn’t like the seating position.

C5 is a maybe and E61 has also been added to the Autotrader watch list. There is also a cheap s212 on autotrader that’s tempting.

[Rob8980]

How about a Skoda superb?

[stevemcs]

Nope, I appreciate they are big but I dislike the dsg box with a passion

[SlowV6]

I am mulling the same list as OP to replace our CMax and have been through exactly the same list of candidates. I keep coming back to the Mk4.5 Mondeo in Titanium X spec. The 2.0TDCi manual I feel is the sweetspot when you factor in running costs. MPG is better than the 2.2 and parts costs are lower. There are also loads more of them about.

In my opinion the only thing an E class or E61 could offer over the Mondeo would be more performance via a 6 cylinder 3.0TD engine. This is obviously nicer (we also have an M57 330D and the engine is fab) but the German cars will be older and bring things like rear air suspension into the equation along with every other service item and general running costs likely higher. Unless performance is a high priority I would discount them.

I would also be wary of any N47 engined E61 (any 520D) due to timing chain.

I feel a Mk4.5 (2010 facelift) Mondeo Titanium X 2.0TDCi is the way to go.

[stevemcs]

If you are happy with a manual then yes I agree a 2.0TDCi Mondeo would be perfect. I'm ultimately looking for space and comfort, I think the E Class is probably the best at that, the outsider is the Avensis, i'm not worried about it being dull to drive, we have a Mini for that and eventually a Mustang