Anyone own/owned a 2018 E class estate?
Discussion
Currently looking for a replacement family car.
The E class estate is top of the short list. I live out in the sticks so need to find a dealer that has one in stock to have a look over sit in one etc.
The majority of the time it won't be going far. I WFH, I've been looking at the PHEV model as 90% of the trips will <5 miles school run, shops etc. However the PHEV reduced the boot size and makes it a more awkward load space.
The main reason I'm looking at big estates is for something to transport the wife and two kids plus dog and luggage on regular trips around the country visiting family etc. We don't really have anywhere to keep a roof box when it's not in use which would be the alternative.
I've leased cars for a number of years but want to buy this one outright so needs to do for 5 + years.
What is the rear leg room like in the back? I'm 6'4" so tend to have the seat right back to be comfortable on long trips. The kids are 7 and 4 so not a big issue at the minute but my daughter is quite tall so may be a squeeze in the back for her in a few years.
One niggly thing is the rear wheel drive aspect. We live down a dirt track, there's not much of an incline but in winter may be an issue. My old 3 series never had an issue.
Any comments on ownership etc would be appreciated. As I said I'm looking at the PHEV but if the boot is too much of a compromise probably the 3.0 V6 D although on most reviews I've seen on.you tube suggest the ~200bhp is ample. We do around 10k miles per year, as I'll be running it for as long as possible would like a good spec. I'm a sucker for the digital dash which must have been an option on earlier cars but seems to come as standard on the newer cars.
The E class estate is top of the short list. I live out in the sticks so need to find a dealer that has one in stock to have a look over sit in one etc.
The majority of the time it won't be going far. I WFH, I've been looking at the PHEV model as 90% of the trips will <5 miles school run, shops etc. However the PHEV reduced the boot size and makes it a more awkward load space.
The main reason I'm looking at big estates is for something to transport the wife and two kids plus dog and luggage on regular trips around the country visiting family etc. We don't really have anywhere to keep a roof box when it's not in use which would be the alternative.
I've leased cars for a number of years but want to buy this one outright so needs to do for 5 + years.
What is the rear leg room like in the back? I'm 6'4" so tend to have the seat right back to be comfortable on long trips. The kids are 7 and 4 so not a big issue at the minute but my daughter is quite tall so may be a squeeze in the back for her in a few years.
One niggly thing is the rear wheel drive aspect. We live down a dirt track, there's not much of an incline but in winter may be an issue. My old 3 series never had an issue.
Any comments on ownership etc would be appreciated. As I said I'm looking at the PHEV but if the boot is too much of a compromise probably the 3.0 V6 D although on most reviews I've seen on.you tube suggest the ~200bhp is ample. We do around 10k miles per year, as I'll be running it for as long as possible would like a good spec. I'm a sucker for the digital dash which must have been an option on earlier cars but seems to come as standard on the newer cars.
I had a 2018 220d with the AMG Premium pack - this was big wheels, pano roof, COMAND. It was a nice “Designo” hyacinth Red. Also included privacy glass. Pano roof is a must have for me.
Mine had the 12 inch widescreen in the middle, but the conventional clocks for speedo etc. this was actually ok. Be aware that some older cars had a tiny 7” central screen with a massive black surround.
I’d go for the highest spec you can - no less than the AMG Line Premium. Don’t even consider an SE - I got one as a loaner and inside it just felt rubbish. There was nothing. The even higher Premium Plus spec has the full digital dash at that age (in 2019 they all got the full dash) and the intelligent lights which are amazing - had them on my previous coupé.
Mine was a July 2018 build registered in December. Don’t consider older as some stuff like pano roof and ambient light disappear.
If it was my own personal car that I was keeping I’d go for the petrol, 10k pa isn’t big miles so I’d say Borkage woes (adblue etc) could wipe out any fuel savings. The 9 speed box is lovely.
COMAND is ok, but there’s no CarPlay unless you pay for it but the screens aren’t touchscreens.
They’re a very big car, interior space is great. Can’t comment on snow, mine stayed in the garage.
Big bus, but the interior was excellent, I especially loved the ambient light, I had a scheme where it slowly cycled through colours, top and bottom contrasting.
I can’t remember all your questions - however my main advice is get a MY19 if you can and the highest spec for the fab interior. Just remember that they are big and parking was a bit of a pain sometimes.
Edit: just noticed that you are in the Lakes - the Intelligent Light System is a total game changer for roads round there.
Mine had the 12 inch widescreen in the middle, but the conventional clocks for speedo etc. this was actually ok. Be aware that some older cars had a tiny 7” central screen with a massive black surround.
I’d go for the highest spec you can - no less than the AMG Line Premium. Don’t even consider an SE - I got one as a loaner and inside it just felt rubbish. There was nothing. The even higher Premium Plus spec has the full digital dash at that age (in 2019 they all got the full dash) and the intelligent lights which are amazing - had them on my previous coupé.
Mine was a July 2018 build registered in December. Don’t consider older as some stuff like pano roof and ambient light disappear.
If it was my own personal car that I was keeping I’d go for the petrol, 10k pa isn’t big miles so I’d say Borkage woes (adblue etc) could wipe out any fuel savings. The 9 speed box is lovely.
COMAND is ok, but there’s no CarPlay unless you pay for it but the screens aren’t touchscreens.
They’re a very big car, interior space is great. Can’t comment on snow, mine stayed in the garage.
Big bus, but the interior was excellent, I especially loved the ambient light, I had a scheme where it slowly cycled through colours, top and bottom contrasting.
I can’t remember all your questions - however my main advice is get a MY19 if you can and the highest spec for the fab interior. Just remember that they are big and parking was a bit of a pain sometimes.
Edit: just noticed that you are in the Lakes - the Intelligent Light System is a total game changer for roads round there.
Edited by Dog Star on Wednesday 4th October 16:18
Thanks for the comprehensive reply. Petrols seem to be thin on the ground. The PHEV is a diesel unit which is something of an oddity in PHEV's.
Main thing is what is the rear space like? I think the Skoda Superb is potentially the class leader for rear legroom. I've had Skoda's before but you're not getting a like for like spec and they're not the cheaper alternative they once were.
Main thing is what is the rear space like? I think the Skoda Superb is potentially the class leader for rear legroom. I've had Skoda's before but you're not getting a like for like spec and they're not the cheaper alternative they once were.
If you are considering a diesel, have a read up on adblue pump and tank issues.
Every E class cab less than 5 yrs old I have been in recently have had the EML on and my specialist reckons that the NOx sensors are proving to be real issues. They are over £300 each, and there are two...
Every E class cab less than 5 yrs old I have been in recently have had the EML on and my specialist reckons that the NOx sensors are proving to be real issues. They are over £300 each, and there are two...
GlenMH said:
If you are considering a diesel, have a read up on adblue pump and tank issues.
Every E class cab less than 5 yrs old I have been in recently have had the EML on and my specialist reckons that the NOx sensors are proving to be real issues. They are over £300 each, and there are two...
Yep - see above on my post. I would never ever buy a modern diesel with my own money. One dpf/adblue issue and you’ve wiped out any fuel saving. Every E class cab less than 5 yrs old I have been in recently have had the EML on and my specialist reckons that the NOx sensors are proving to be real issues. They are over £300 each, and there are two...
Probably not answering your requirements, but still.
I’ve got a 2017 E220d 4matic with AMG kit, pano roof, memory seats (definitely recommend if you change position between you and any other driver), and it’s absolutely superb.
It’s the third E I’ve had (previous two were the V6 diesel), and whilst I took a dip in performance, it’s still pretty quick off the line, grips like it should and has enough go on the big roads. Main advantage is fuel economy. Even t
tting it up the M1 for 2 hrs, slowing for speed cameras, returns 43+mpg.
The 4matic feature is awesome. It was my dad’s car before me, and I had the V6 RWD at the time. Then it snowed whilst we were visiting, my car was useless, but this one took the snow in its stride, up and down hills, I was overtaking slow people confidently and in control.
I’m 6’2”, and have my two boys (13 & 9) who ride in the back with plenty of room, and the rare occasion my wife drives and I have ended up in the back, I understand why the Germans use them as taxis.
Regarding the hybrids, my bro-in-law has an older E300 hybrid, he loves it, but every time they visit, he can reverse off our drive on the battery, then he puts it in drive and the engine kicks in. What a nonsense.
I’m due to change again, and I’m only looking at the same again. It’s such a quality car.
And I’ve made up for the slightly diminished performance from the V6 by buying a TVR. Which is a whole different story.
I’ve got a 2017 E220d 4matic with AMG kit, pano roof, memory seats (definitely recommend if you change position between you and any other driver), and it’s absolutely superb.
It’s the third E I’ve had (previous two were the V6 diesel), and whilst I took a dip in performance, it’s still pretty quick off the line, grips like it should and has enough go on the big roads. Main advantage is fuel economy. Even t
tting it up the M1 for 2 hrs, slowing for speed cameras, returns 43+mpg. The 4matic feature is awesome. It was my dad’s car before me, and I had the V6 RWD at the time. Then it snowed whilst we were visiting, my car was useless, but this one took the snow in its stride, up and down hills, I was overtaking slow people confidently and in control.
I’m 6’2”, and have my two boys (13 & 9) who ride in the back with plenty of room, and the rare occasion my wife drives and I have ended up in the back, I understand why the Germans use them as taxis.
Regarding the hybrids, my bro-in-law has an older E300 hybrid, he loves it, but every time they visit, he can reverse off our drive on the battery, then he puts it in drive and the engine kicks in. What a nonsense.
I’m due to change again, and I’m only looking at the same again. It’s such a quality car.
And I’ve made up for the slightly diminished performance from the V6 by buying a TVR. Which is a whole different story.
We have a Feb 2018 220D in Hyacinth Red, Premium Plus Pack
Load of options including …
Wide Dual Screen Dash with CarPlay
Pano Roof
Intelligent Light System
Memory Seats
Blind Spot Assist
Burmeister HiFi - which is pretty good.
Distronic Cruise Control
All of the above are well worth hunting out.
Get a spare set of 17” Alloys with Winter Tyres and it will go most places. It’s softer ride with them on. See picture.
Does everything very well.
Can hit 60mg on steady 100 mile run - long term average is 48.
Bought it at 12 months old with 4000 miles on the clock now at 54000. Not yet thrown a bill…. but we do a lot motorway miles in it.
Technically its my wife’s car - we don’t really need a big estate any longer but she likes ‘em.
I’m a long legged 6’3” and I sometimes find the driving position a bit odd - almost like the seat doesn’t go back far enough. RHD Mercs have silly offset pedals to steering wheel position. I’ve driven the LHD version and its much better ergonomically. Or it might be that I’m just getting old and everything is starting to ache a bit more …
Our last E Class Estate, this is our fourth over the last 20 years, was a 3 Litre V6 Diesel which had much more oomph, but averaged 12mpg less. To make up for the power shortfall I acquired an E500 V8 BiTurbo 408 bhp Cabrio as our other car. It’s a nice balance …
Load of options including …
Wide Dual Screen Dash with CarPlay
Pano Roof
Intelligent Light System
Memory Seats
Blind Spot Assist
Burmeister HiFi - which is pretty good.
Distronic Cruise Control
All of the above are well worth hunting out.
Get a spare set of 17” Alloys with Winter Tyres and it will go most places. It’s softer ride with them on. See picture.
Does everything very well.
Can hit 60mg on steady 100 mile run - long term average is 48.
Bought it at 12 months old with 4000 miles on the clock now at 54000. Not yet thrown a bill…. but we do a lot motorway miles in it.
Technically its my wife’s car - we don’t really need a big estate any longer but she likes ‘em.
I’m a long legged 6’3” and I sometimes find the driving position a bit odd - almost like the seat doesn’t go back far enough. RHD Mercs have silly offset pedals to steering wheel position. I’ve driven the LHD version and its much better ergonomically. Or it might be that I’m just getting old and everything is starting to ache a bit more …
Our last E Class Estate, this is our fourth over the last 20 years, was a 3 Litre V6 Diesel which had much more oomph, but averaged 12mpg less. To make up for the power shortfall I acquired an E500 V8 BiTurbo 408 bhp Cabrio as our other car. It’s a nice balance …
Odd I don't think my pedals are offset I've a 2017 220d AMG premium + with full air suspension, heated rears seats, Nappa leather, electric tow hook, the advanced driving pack in diamond silver. I find it hard to get over 50mpg but it's comfier I'm now off the 20" turbines for 19's and non runflats
The build quality imho is terrible rattles creaks squeeks and I wouldn't have another but it's a nice place to be as it's very high spec as it was one of the very last that could be specced with options
The build quality imho is terrible rattles creaks squeeks and I wouldn't have another but it's a nice place to be as it's very high spec as it was one of the very last that could be specced with options
Thanks for the additional replies. We live in the Lakes, snow at ground level isn't that common and we live down a lane. I don't recall the BMW I had years ago struggling but now we have kids and make a regular journey up to the Highlands to visit family at all times of year I'd probably go for the 4matic version for extra peice of mind.
Winter tyres might be an option but don't have anywhere ideal to store an extra set of tyre's.
Winter tyres might be an option but don't have anywhere ideal to store an extra set of tyre's.
Dog Star said:
Michelin Crossclimates / Goodyear Vectors etc are your friends.
Agreed, much more than 4wd. All-season tyres should be the first priority and 4wd is a secondary concern.I fitted Vredestein all-seasons (quatrac?) to my old E-class estate and I was amazed how they handled a steep iced driveway slope in the Alps last winter - inch-thick snow that had turned to ice, it could reverse unladen up a 10-15 degree angle. If it was a sustained slope then the car would probably have struggled with a spinning wheel at some stage with no traction control.
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