W211 vs W212 E220/E250 Reliability?

[D1on]

Looking at upgrading my private hire vehicle and thinking of going Mercedes this time.
Looked at 08/09 plate w211 e220's but also looked at early w212's.
Any particular issues in the above? I guess the w211 is more proven with more high mileage examples around...

Also are the auto gear boxes in the e-class's reliable?

Any advice and experiences will be appreciated...

[Classy6]

211 has experience in the engine department - a 646 - 4cyl diesel is a reliable, albeit slow lump. The auto 5 speed 722.6 box will also go on forever. I'd be weary of a older 642 6 cyl diesel, fantastic engine but lots of known (expensive) faults.

211's are also not the best suspension wise often going through ball joints/bushes/springs if well used.

A 212 had suspension upgraded but you might be stuck with an early 651 engine which had plenty of problems in it's day, more than likely ironed out by now. Will come with a 722.9 (IIRC) 7 speed auto box which didn't have too many problems by the time they hit 212's either.

I think either, if well looked after will see you right without too many problems. Both are capable of raking up hundreds of thousands of miles. Have seen both variants well into 400k territory being used as chauffeur/airport taxi's.

Personally, I'd go for the 212, 211 IMO isn't ageing too well in comparison.

[Monkeylegend]

I had two W211's doing log distance chauffeur work, both did over 300k miles with no major issues.

I had and still have a 2011 W212 now on 299k again with no major issues. Had a new water pump at 220k and a rear shock at 80k due to the top bush being slightly worn, and it is still going strong. Just been MOT'd with no advisories.

They were/are all the E220CDi automatic. So to summarise, very reliable and very economical.

Take your pick, but I would go for the W212 as it's newer.

Correct servicing and regular transmission fluid changes are the key.

Edited by Monkeylegend on Tuesday 13th March 14:02

[ZX10R NIN]

The W212 will have the later engine that has the timing chain at the back of the engine & unlike the W211 this engine has a few issues which due to the location of the chain means engine out for some jobs.

[Monkeylegend]

Issue with both engines are extremely rare compared to the number of cars out there.

The E220 is used as a taxi for very good reasons, and those that had the W211 have generally moved on to the W212. Apart from the early injector issues on launch the later engine has been and is still extremely reliable and will manage mega miles trouble free.

[D1on]

Monkeylegend said:

I had two W211's doing log distance chauffeur work, both did over 300k miles with no major issues.

I had and still have a 2011 W212 now on 299k again with no major issues. Had a new water pump at 220k and a rear shock at 80k due to the top bush being slightly worn, and it is still going strong. Just been MOT'd with no advisories.

They were/are all the E220CDi automatic. So to summarise, very reliable and very economical.

Take your pick, but I would go for the W212 as it's newer.

Correct servicing and regular transmission fluid changes are the key.

Edited by Monkeylegend on Tuesday 13th March 14:02

W212 with around a 100k miles could be the way for me I think, they seem to have dropped a bit in price!
Whats your opinion on the e250 over the e220?

[Monkeylegend]

D1on said:

Monkeylegend said:

I had two W211's doing log distance chauffeur work, both did over 300k miles with no major issues.

I had and still have a 2011 W212 now on 299k again with no major issues. Had a new water pump at 220k and a rear shock at 80k due to the top bush being slightly worn, and it is still going strong. Just been MOT'd with no advisories.

They were/are all the E220CDi automatic. So to summarise, very reliable and very economical.

Take your pick, but I would go for the W212 as it's newer.

Correct servicing and regular transmission fluid changes are the key.

Edited by Monkeylegend on Tuesday 13th March 14:02

W212 with around a 100k miles could be the way for me I think, they seem to have dropped a bit in price!
Whats your opinion on the e250 over the e220?

The E220 is more than adequate performance wise even with 4 passengers and a boot full of suitcases. I never really felt the difference fully loaded, the engine has about 300ft/lb torque so plenty of pulling power mid range, bearing you want to drive as smoothly as possible and not compete in the traffic light gp with a car full of customers.

I averaged 48/49 mpg easily, often well into the 50's and I had the 5g box which again is bullet proof. Mine never dropped below 38-40 even with a good mixture of city driving

The 250 has about 30 extra horses, and about 30% more torque which gives it a bit more poke, but to be honest I would buy the best you can find, be it a 220 or 250.

If you are just looking for performance go for the 350 CDi, very refined, very smooth, but quite a bit thirstier especially round town.

The key to these is servicing. Make sure it has been serviced every 15-17k miles, and the transmission fluids changed. The 5g box on mine Merc specify once at 37.5k miles, but on others say they are sealed for life.

For the sake of £160 or so at a good indy I would recommend changing every 60-70k miles. I followed this on all mine and have never had a gearbox issue.

100k is the sweet spot on these, I found a noticeable increase in fuel economy around this on all mine, they seem to be nicely run in at this mileage.

Edited by Monkeylegend on Thursday 15th March 17:19

Edited by Monkeylegend on Thursday 15th March 17:20

Edited by Monkeylegend on Thursday 15th March 17:21

[D1on]

Monkeylegend said:

The E220 is more than adequate performance wise even with 4 passengers and a boot full of suitcases. I never really felt the difference fully loaded, the engine has about 300ft/lb torque so plenty of pulling power mid range, bearing you want to drive as smoothly as possible and not compete in the traffic light gp with a car full of customers.

I averaged 48/49 mpg easily, often well into the 50's and I had the 5g box which again is bullet proof. Mine never dropped below 38-40 even with a good mixture of city driving

The 250 has about 30 extra horses, and about 30% more torque which gives it a bit more poke, but to be honest I would buy the best you can find, be it a 220 or 250.

If you are just looking for performance go for the 350 CDi, very refined, very smooth, but quite a bit thirstier especially round town.

The key to these is servicing. Make sure it has been serviced every 15-17k miles, and the transmission fluids changed. The 5g box on mine Merc specify once at 37.5k miles, but on others say they are sealed for life.

For the sake of £160 or so at a good indy I would recommend changing every 60-70k miles. I followed this on all mine and have never had a gearbox issue.

100k is the sweet spot on these, I found a noticeable increase in fuel economy around this on all mine, they seem to be nicely run in at this mileage.

Edited by Monkeylegend on Thursday 15th March 17:19

Edited by Monkeylegend on Thursday 15th March 17:20

Edited by Monkeylegend on Thursday 15th March 17:21

which of the w212's have the 5g gearbox?
I've had that much trouble with clutches and dual mass flywheels on manual diesels, I really fancy an auto, especially as I drive around town lots!
Just don't want the auto box to be troublesome!

Have you had any issues with dpfs?

[Monkeylegend]

D1on said:

which of the w212's have the 5g gearbox?
I've had that much trouble with clutches and dual mass flywheels on manual diesels, I really fancy an auto, especially as I drive around town lots!
Just don't want the auto box to be troublesome!

Have you had any issues with dpfs?

My cars was registered in Feb 2011 and I think it was one of the last with the 5 speed box. They are very robust and shouldn't give you any problems. Probably 99% are autos anyway, and the manual box is not one of Mercs strong points.

The 7g box post mine has a few issues with jerky down changes but Merc do a software update, but again they are pretty robust as long as they have had the ATF changed.

I haven't had any DPF issues with mine. As long as you do a 30 min or so run every couple of weeks to get everything up to temp it should regenerate itself with no issues. There are people who will clean the DPF's for you, but with the correct use they should not be an issue.