Thinking of changing my Civic to an E Class

[Spanglepants]

Hi, been looking at 2007-2009 E Class to replace my 2010 Civic ES-T 1.8.
Quick background to this. Had 5 series 3.0Ds and Saab Aero 9 5 so used to those type of cars but the BMs wrecked my bank account with repairs. Bought the Civic which has been excellent but after coming from my previous cars struggled with the lack of torque of the 1.8. Missing the refinement as well.
Ive been looking at 2007-2009 E Class E320CDi Sports. Is this a bad move ? Ive really been taken by the Hondas reliability - would it make more sense to look at MK8 Accords 2007 + ? Obviously the Mercedes would drive a lot nicer but would a 2.2 Accord ( must be auto) be a big enough step up from the Civic to give me the refinement and better low down power/ more relaxing drive than the Civic ?
Thanks

[mikeyr]

Prob not what you are after but i'd literally just come to post an 06 E class that been up for sale for a while that's only done 11,000 miles!

https://www.moorelands.com/vehicle/mercedes-c280-a...

What I wondered was how it needed new tyres after 6k. That can't be usual right?


Date tested
25 September 2013
PASS
Mileage
6,204 miles
MOT test number
5390 7856 3260
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
10 October 2014
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

[Spanglepants]

That's a c class, my budget is between £5-6000

[mikeyr]

Good point, well made

Sorry for thread hijack, if you do find an E class make sure you try to burn through tyres just as quickly

[Spanglepants]

Ha, I used to go through front tyres even quicker sometimes on my Saab Aero 9 5 😁

[Super Sonic]

Accord is better inside than civic. Have a look at one, test drive, if you don't you'll never know.

[ZX10R NIN]

It's not a bad move at all they're very good cars & will feel like a nice step up interior wise.

If you don't mind haggling then you can an E350cdi Sport with sensible mileage for your budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103059...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105273...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012287...

E320cdi Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106063...

[Spanglepants]

Thanks for the links, they all look good. Whats the reliability and build quality like between the W211 and W212 ? id need bluetooth audio and would like it to have a reversing camera.

ZX10R NIN said:

It's not a bad move at all they're very good cars & will feel like a nice step up interior wise.

If you don't mind haggling then you can an E350cdi Sport with sensible mileage for your budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103059...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105273...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012287...

E320cdi Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106063...

[ZX10R NIN]

They're both good cars Bluetooth is an option on both with the W211/212 but with the W211 you can add this unit which will give you all the tech & connectivity you need.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-SPH-DA250DAB-Mech...

[georgeyboy12345]

E class probably a good shout, only alternative I can think of is a Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 diesel - can be had for under 6 grand and there are some with less than 70,000 on the clock. A bit better on tax and fuel economy than the E320 CDI with similar performance.

This looks to be the nicest kept out of all of them - four p zeros all around has to be a good sign
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106083...

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want an good alternative then look for one of these, they come loaded with spec & have the added benefit of being ULEZ & CAZ compliant:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274859793121?hash=item3...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265189217498?hash=item3...

It does mean haggling & a stretch of budget.

[snowandrocks]

While I quite liked our w212 E350 cdi the running costs were much, much higher than our Accord Tourer.

The Mercedes was fairly reliable even to high mileage but every repair was expensive. The Honda meanwhile was, and continues to be, pretty much faultless.

As an aside, if it's comfort you're after, I'd avoid sport spec e classes with big wheels - mine was firm/bordering on unacceptable at times.

Edited by snowandrocks on Friday 9th July 00:21

[nobrakes]

Spanglepants said:

Thanks for the links, they all look good. Whats the reliability and build quality like between the W211 and W212 ? id need bluetooth audio and would like it to have a reversing camera.

ZX10R NIN said:

It's not a bad move at all they're very good cars & will feel like a nice step up interior wise.

If you don't mind haggling then you can an E350cdi Sport with sensible mileage for your budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103059...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105273...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012287...

E320cdi Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106063...

I think that 320cdi Sport is quite rare. Most are 280s.

I’ve a 2008 320cdi avantgarde. It has a fair turn of speed for a big old bus, especially 60-90. I still get it serviced at a dealer on a service plan (includes UK & European breakdown for peace of mind). Suspension is firmer than I thought it would be.

Don’t discount a basic Elegance spec for cheaper comfy tyres. Less popular, so better value, and upgrade to that Amazon Pioneer stereo for comms.

7years ago I plumped for a late model 211 320cdi from a Merc dealer, as against a new model s212. 220. It looks more dated, but has been great. Hoping to hold on to it for many more years.

Edited by nobrakes on Friday 9th July 05:58

Edited by nobrakes on Friday 9th July 06:01

[Spanglepants]

I like those a lot . Bit over budget and I'm crap at haggling.
I saw a Q50 the other day and liked how it looked. Im liking the w212s more than i did at first as well. Think it was the second one you linked that i liked.
Always wanted a Jag but not sure Id risk it to be honest, thanks for the suggestion though.
Im still scouring Autotrader at the moment, thanks so far.

ZX10R NIN said:

If you want an good alternative then look for one of these, they come loaded with spec & have the added benefit of being ULEZ & CAZ compliant:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274859793121?hash=item3...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265189217498?hash=item3...

It does mean haggling & a stretch of budget.

[V6todayTurboManana]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you want an good alternative then look for one of these, they come loaded with spec & have the added benefit of being ULEZ & CAZ compliant:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274859793121?hash=item3...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265189217498?hash=item3...

It does mean haggling & a stretch of budget.

Most surprised diesels of that age managing to be ULEZ compliant. A mistake or import caveat maybe?

[Dicky Knee]

I have a S211 E280 Sport Estate which I've had since it was a few months old. Same engine different engine map. It is a great car and after all these years and 132 000 miles still enjoy driving it. It has been very reliable and comfortable drive and no immediate thoughts of changing it.

The other stuff. It's a heavy car on low profile tyres and the alloys get a hammering over crappy roads. I've had a number of them welded and 4 new ones due to buckling or cracking close to an existing weld. Check them when buying and keep an eye on Ebay for replacements, they do come up now and again. When it goes wrong it can be expensive. The major bills for me have been renewing the inlet port shut off motor (you will know because you'll push the accelerator and it will only get to about 1000rpm). It's caused by a leaking oil seal (£5.99) but total bill for me through an independent specialist was £655. The aircon condenser leaked (if it 'only needs a regas, mate' it's probably the condensor) £500 for a pattern part through an aircon specialist or £800 through a MB dealer. Just had a front spring snap so replaced both approx. £450. It was smoking like it was running on coal which turned out to be a MAF sensor shorting out and split boost pipe-that'll be £818 thanks. And discs and pads all round at the last service £600.

But, in the overall scheme of things it's only a couple of pennies per mile.

Great car-buy one!

[Jasandjules]

My E-class is quite comfy and has a few nice gadgets.... It is fairly easy to drive 100 miles and feel like you have only really driven half a dozen.

[ZX10R NIN]

V6todayTurboManana said:

Most surprised diesels of that age managing to be ULEZ compliant. A mistake or import caveat maybe?

Nope it's not a mistake.

[Spanglepants]

Ok, today I'm trying to arrange viewings on an Infiniti, E350 and a nice Accord estate.
On the E350s how high would the mileage have be to stay away from?
Also seem to be more E250s around. I know they're 4 cylinder so are they to be avoided as well?
Thanks for the help so far.

[snowandrocks]

If you're spending the extra to run an e class then definitely go for the 6 cylinder. The 4 cylinders aren't bad engines but are pretty rough and weedy in comparison. The effortless shove of the 350cdi was what made the car for me. The smaller engines make a lot of noise if you put your foot down.

On the mileage - mine was still OK at 250k when we sold it but it had cost quite a lot of money to get there. It needed a new turbo and quite a lot of other expensive bits at around 170k if that helps.

Edited by snowandrocks on Saturday 10th July 11:49