Swaping SLK for E class estate
Discussion
I have an SLK 320, 2001 car on a Y. Designo purple with 81k on the clock in good nic, with full MB history.
I am looking to trade it and get an E class estate. Something like a 270 up, either d or petrol.
On the bay, a couple have gone through around the £5-6k mark, so shouldn't have to find too much cash.
What are the thoughts on the e class and which is best?
Do around 10000 miles a year and a child is due in May, hence the swap.
I am looking to trade it and get an E class estate. Something like a 270 up, either d or petrol.
On the bay, a couple have gone through around the £5-6k mark, so shouldn't have to find too much cash.
What are the thoughts on the e class and which is best?
Do around 10000 miles a year and a child is due in May, hence the swap.
Get a petrol, if you can find one. 
Seriously, either is fine in the E Class, it's that sort of car.
I have an E320 and get 26mpg from it day to day, just round town and cold starts it is 24mpg and it goes up to 34ish on a run.
We did 72k miles in an E270cdi and got 27mpg round town and 38mpg on a run, so don't buy it thinking you will save any money.
Then we have the 320cdi but in an S class and that got an average of 33mpg over 2 years, so again no real money to be saved.
If you are looking at early W211's the one thing to look out for is the radiators, they can leak into the gearbox and torque converter and kill both off, can be felt or heard as a grumble at low revs, this will cost £4k from an indy to sort and £8-11k from Mercedes, so writing the car off.
The injectors on the diesels are known to fail around 100k miles so worth looking at the history, cost is around £1500.
Seriously, either is fine in the E Class, it's that sort of car.
I have an E320 and get 26mpg from it day to day, just round town and cold starts it is 24mpg and it goes up to 34ish on a run.
We did 72k miles in an E270cdi and got 27mpg round town and 38mpg on a run, so don't buy it thinking you will save any money.
Then we have the 320cdi but in an S class and that got an average of 33mpg over 2 years, so again no real money to be saved.
If you are looking at early W211's the one thing to look out for is the radiators, they can leak into the gearbox and torque converter and kill both off, can be felt or heard as a grumble at low revs, this will cost £4k from an indy to sort and £8-11k from Mercedes, so writing the car off.
The injectors on the diesels are known to fail around 100k miles so worth looking at the history, cost is around £1500.
Petrol cars are cheaper in the market place than "equivalent" diesels, too. My view is you would have to do a lot of miles over a number of years to make up (1) the extra cost of a diesel car and (2) the extra cost of diesel fuel.
Further, whereas 20years ago diesel engines were renowned for their strength and longevity (possibly because they were simple and agricultural) these modern high pressure fuel rail, turbocharged diesel engines can be very fragile and expensive as time goes on. Many will need expensive new injectors at any time after 90k miles.
Finally, even the best modern diesels cannot rival a petrol engine for pleasure. Sure they have monster torque but it is developed in such a narrow speed band.
Further, whereas 20years ago diesel engines were renowned for their strength and longevity (possibly because they were simple and agricultural) these modern high pressure fuel rail, turbocharged diesel engines can be very fragile and expensive as time goes on. Many will need expensive new injectors at any time after 90k miles.
Finally, even the best modern diesels cannot rival a petrol engine for pleasure. Sure they have monster torque but it is developed in such a narrow speed band.
Interesting replies....
I currently run an 07 CLS 320cdi V6 7 speed auto and 08 "C" class 180 petrol 6 speed manual both lovely engines, although the fuel consumption on the petrol "C" class is rather disappointing at around 30 mpg combined, similar to the V6 diesel, which of course has much more power......
Obviously, diesel engines have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, but against that diesel fuel has increased in price, so I suppose it's swings and roundabouts....
As said before, ideally try both before you make your mind up, it's quite a big decision.....I can't really advise re any potential repair costs if things go wrong.....
Good luck...
I currently run an 07 CLS 320cdi V6 7 speed auto and 08 "C" class 180 petrol 6 speed manual both lovely engines, although the fuel consumption on the petrol "C" class is rather disappointing at around 30 mpg combined, similar to the V6 diesel, which of course has much more power......
Obviously, diesel engines have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, but against that diesel fuel has increased in price, so I suppose it's swings and roundabouts....
As said before, ideally try both before you make your mind up, it's quite a big decision.....I can't really advise re any potential repair costs if things go wrong.....
Good luck...
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