E-Class estate 2012-on

[bedonde]

Some advice from the PH Mercedes Beards please.
I'm not sure of the model code for the 2010 onwards Merc E Class estate (S212?) but am considering one of these to replace my lease car shortly. I need a large-ish family car which will cover my 350 mile weekly commute in comfort, as some grunt and is robust enough to stand up to 15-20k per year and general family duties.

Looking to budget about £12k-ish preferably for a 2011/12 on model. I'd like some advice on which engine to go for (E250 CDI or E350 CDI) in terms of reliability - I know which I want in terms of performance.

Are these reliable cars in general at, say five years old with 60/70k miles? Is it a sensible choice of car to run into six figure mileage, or ruinous? I've had Mercs in the past although a w202 AMG and then w203 AMG, so no experience of owning this generation. What goes wrong on these?

[bedonde]

Thanks for the replies. Glad to hear the E350 CDI isn't a basket case, as that's what I'm steering towards. I've got to live with it and want something I'll enjoy driving....
Canderella - what do you tow with yours? We've got a 1600kg caravan (hands in PH card) which I'm planning on towing with an XC60, but might change my mind if the Merc is up to the job.
Am I right in saying there are no horror stories with these? I've had a Merc gearbox go pop in the past, hence the slightly caution.
I've seen a 2012 E350 CDI in grey with the AMG frilly bits and 68k miles for just under £13k on Autotrader. Good buy if it checks out??

[bedonde]

Sounds good. Petrol or diesel?

[bedonde]

I think the Petrol versions are unicorns, so the likelihood is that I'll end up with an oil burner. Sounds like I may be better off fitting the tow bar to the Merc rather than the XC60...

[bedonde]

AC43 said:

I've got a 2010 500 estate (which replaced a 2005 500 estate). Both great cars.

I absolutely love my current one which, although it's an Avantgarde, it's a 500 so has a lot of the stuff that you get on the Sport eg the steering, the brakes and the Intelligent Light System (ILS).

If was after a diesel I'd go for a 350 Sport, personally. Extremely smooth engine and a good spec as standard. Sports seats are great too. Pano roof would be, for me, the icing on the cake.

EDIT; having said all that if you want to be ULEZ compliant you'll need a Euro 6 diesel which I think means getting the facelift which is 2012 IIRC. Costs a bit more, obviously.

Edited by AC43 on Wednesday 10th January 11:18

I certainly want the Sport, it looks far nicer than the Avantgarde to these eyes. 500 would be lovely but again I suspect is rarer than rocking horse poo and also not fantastic for a 15-20k per year commute.
By ULEZ compliant facelift, do you mean the blobby headlight version from 13-plate onwards??