W211 Advice

[Magikarp]

To cut short a long story, my wife and are I will be looking for a large estate, and so I have narrowed it down to an E61 and a W211. I have previously owned BMWs but the consensus is the MB will be a better drive, and not so beset with gremlins. I haver no idea about these cars so need help!

The car must be petrol - we don't do the miles for a diesel. It has to be an estate for canine reasons. Our budget is about £8000, so I'm here to ask advice, and to find out about common problems in preparation for getting one. Our contract hire car goes back in October but we will be looking earlier, and I like to be prepared. I don't mind buying a car and then servicing it up to spec either. I work in a garage and have been recommended and excellent Mercedes specialist by a friend,

I don't think a small engine in such a big car is going to end well, but I am happy to entertain recommendations.

Thank you!

[Greenmantle]

for the w211 the basic petrol engine is the E240. This is quite a thirsty engine and definitely a poor cousin to the E270/280 or the E320. I would re-consider the petrol engine. The E320 is the one to go for. Bulletproof and if looked after will not let you down.

[MercedesClassic]

Just seeing this now and assume you are still searching. Get yourself into the Barges thread as there's lots of cars in your category getting posted. This past week a couple of contributors have bought E500 estates in preface lifted 5.0 V8 version. Also recently a 5.5 V8 facelifted Sport.

BTW the estate versions of Mercs are S and saloons W so you're after an S211. Facelifts are rarer 2006-2009 but I sought one out as I read they were much improved. Less prone to rust, no SBC, better electronics etc. However if you're handy with tools and are just looking a dog car then a cheaper early one be fine.

Here's the barges thread link

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

BTW I've a 320 CDI avant-garde estate. Diesel engine is good but the petrol is better especially for your needs. Also optional 7 seats, 2 in boot not that I've needed them.

Edited by MercedesClassic on Wednesday 21st April 09:26

[Magikarp]

Thanks for your advice. I will get investigating. There seem to be a few 500s cropping up. Are they utterly ruinous on fuel? I'm not really bothered but it's nice to know if you only get 200 miles out of a tank.

[MercedesClassic]

They have an 16 gallon tank so 200 miles would be 12mpg, you'd be fairly going to achieve that. I had that engine in an SL and it was from memory 25-30 mpg but TBH I wasn't really worried.

I think the 5.5 V8 in the facelift is more economical and 388bhp compared to around 300 for the 5.0

[Magikarp]

Thanks. Nice to know. I think I’ve decided will be an E500. The interiors seem to be much more durable than commensurately aged BMWs. The leather in particular seems of a higher quality.

[AC43]

Magikarp said:

Thanks. Nice to know. I think I’ve decided will be an E500. The interiors seem to be much more durable than commensurately aged BMWs. The leather in particular seems of a higher quality.

I had a 211 E500 (now have the 212 version) and they come with some decent kit as standard - I can't recall all the ins and outs of what was and wasn't standard on the 500 but IIRC you for things like the 7g box, Airmatic all-round, Xenons and 17's for example.

Mine had nice leather, memory seats and an electric tailgate which may or may not have been standard.

Extras on mine included Comand, HK (amazing), phone prep, 7 seats (handy for small kids) and the Sun Pack.

If you poke about on the internet you'll find pdf's of the pricelist of the day and work it all out.

I took mine from 5 years/93k miles to 12 years/145k miles. Only non-service items were a boot lock, an Airmatic pump and a crank pulley.

They're generally pretty tough but they do eat through ball joints and the gearbox should ideally have the fluid changed at, say, 5 years or 50k.

The 5.0 suits the car. Torquey and relaxed most of the time, fairly quick when you want it. As others have said the 5.5 is marginally better mpg-wise. The 5.0 will approach 30mpg if you drive like a saint on a long mway trip but 25 is about right for normal trips. If you're constantly giving it the beans, low 20's, around town high teens.

Mine was a 54 plate so a late pre-facelift. Theoretically, the facelifts are better for a number of reasons. In the case of the 500 you get the 5.5 which is quite a lot punchier plus a ream of improvements to the manufacturing process. Plus it's said to steer more sharply than the pre-facelift.

There are very few 5.5's about so I'd suggest looking for a well-specced late 5.0 with a decent history.

[Tommie38]

My view is that you shouldn’t buy a V8 unless you really want a V8.

I love V8s and would go straight to the 5.0/5.5/5.4 AMG but for most people the trade is not worth it. Things like air suspension can cost quite a bit to replace too.

If petrol engines, do your research on anything that isn’t the 5.0/5.4 because quite a few of them have issues, including the early 5.5.

If you aren’t into the V8s, the diesels are quite good. I had a 2009 V6 C320 CDI from 2014-2017 ish and it was great. There were two 320 engines, earlier was, I believe more robust but less modern.

Also, although rust was pretty much a non-issue by the W211 I would buy a later car if possible. Facelift interior and nav nice to have.

First gen CLS is similar but to some eyes looks better.

[AC43]

Tommie38 said:

My view is that you shouldn’t buy a V8 unless you really want a V8.

Yeah, but if mpg is not a priority, then the answer is V8. All large Mercs suit them and always have. The larger the better. Smooth, torquey with a nice top and and no emissions stuff to go wrong. And ULEZ compliant, unlike any of the diesels before c 2015.

OP; get a 500! I'm on my 2nd S211 E500 after a brace of C43's. Great cars.