Which £18k E Class Estate should I buy?
Discussion
Hi all
I'd really appreciate some advice please. I’m a Mercedes newbie (had 40+ cars over the years but never a MB) but am planning to buy a 7 seater E Class estate. I think I want either a 280 or a 320. The only must haves are a FSH, leather, command and parktronic. I have up to £18k to spend (the less the better!) and will use the car as a family bus - no more than 12k miles per year I wouldn't have thought and would expect to have it a couple of years.
Any advice on what I ought to be considering would be very welcome.
Many thanks
Tom
I'd really appreciate some advice please. I’m a Mercedes newbie (had 40+ cars over the years but never a MB) but am planning to buy a 7 seater E Class estate. I think I want either a 280 or a 320. The only must haves are a FSH, leather, command and parktronic. I have up to £18k to spend (the less the better!) and will use the car as a family bus - no more than 12k miles per year I wouldn't have thought and would expect to have it a couple of years.
Any advice on what I ought to be considering would be very welcome.
Many thanks
Tom
I would say that an avantgarde may be a better bet as the sports are still holding a big premium at the moment and only just starting to fall and balance out if that makes sense, in another 2 years I don't think the premium for a sport will be anywhere near as big as it is now.
For example, looking round for a facelift E Class myself, I would have spent around £2000 more for an E280 sport over the E320 avantgarde, and new the E320 was the more expensive car, in 2 years time I don't think there will be any difference between an E280 sport and an E320 avantgarde, just not all that many sports on the market yet as the have only just hit the 3 year old mark, but at 5 years old there will be quite a few which will effect the residuals a little.
I would also get one with the Audio 20 CD (the cd bit is important) and then put in the new hard drive based comand, it takes 10 mins to fit, give you bluetooth as well and will cost you under a grand.
This is so much better than the old comand and works out cheaper than buying a car with comand as they tend to be around £1500-2000 more expensive.
The new comand was from MY09 models only btw.
I would definitely get the E320cdi over the E280cdi if funds permit, the E320 isn't exactly quick, but it does a job and never feels lacking really, but I feel 40bhp less would, but maybe I'm wrong? I just feel the E320 is just about enough power wise.
I have always been a BMW owner, but bought an old model E320 estate when we had our second child last year and loved it, then had a flit with an A6 Quattro for 12 months and started looking for another 535d sport touring, but decided as the family wagon I would have another E Class. Main reason was an older E Class always seems to date better than an older 5 series, I wanted a car I could run for 5 years and 150k miles and still turn up anywhere and it not look old, which I feel you can with a Merc estate, where as the BMWs, Audis etc. just look, well like old models. The other option for comfy estates that date well are Volvo V70s. Maybe that is just me??
I have only had this a fortnight, and only done 1200 miles in it, but I am really pleased with my decision. Took my mates 535d sport touring out yesterday to see if it was how I remember it, and it was. Really nice car that makes you want to press on, but even though he has lost the run flats it is still a far harder ride than the Merc and the interior feels way behind the E Class too.
I loved the 12 months with my 535d, but I wouldn't go back again.
For example, looking round for a facelift E Class myself, I would have spent around £2000 more for an E280 sport over the E320 avantgarde, and new the E320 was the more expensive car, in 2 years time I don't think there will be any difference between an E280 sport and an E320 avantgarde, just not all that many sports on the market yet as the have only just hit the 3 year old mark, but at 5 years old there will be quite a few which will effect the residuals a little.
I would also get one with the Audio 20 CD (the cd bit is important) and then put in the new hard drive based comand, it takes 10 mins to fit, give you bluetooth as well and will cost you under a grand.
This is so much better than the old comand and works out cheaper than buying a car with comand as they tend to be around £1500-2000 more expensive.
The new comand was from MY09 models only btw.
I would definitely get the E320cdi over the E280cdi if funds permit, the E320 isn't exactly quick, but it does a job and never feels lacking really, but I feel 40bhp less would, but maybe I'm wrong? I just feel the E320 is just about enough power wise.
I have always been a BMW owner, but bought an old model E320 estate when we had our second child last year and loved it, then had a flit with an A6 Quattro for 12 months and started looking for another 535d sport touring, but decided as the family wagon I would have another E Class. Main reason was an older E Class always seems to date better than an older 5 series, I wanted a car I could run for 5 years and 150k miles and still turn up anywhere and it not look old, which I feel you can with a Merc estate, where as the BMWs, Audis etc. just look, well like old models. The other option for comfy estates that date well are Volvo V70s. Maybe that is just me??
I have only had this a fortnight, and only done 1200 miles in it, but I am really pleased with my decision. Took my mates 535d sport touring out yesterday to see if it was how I remember it, and it was. Really nice car that makes you want to press on, but even though he has lost the run flats it is still a far harder ride than the Merc and the interior feels way behind the E Class too.
I loved the 12 months with my 535d, but I wouldn't go back again.
I suggest a high-ish specced facelift E320 Avantgarde in silver or black
I'd look for 7 seats (obviously) leather, COMAND, sports suspension and phone prep.
Nice to haves; 17 inch wheels (look good) Air suspension (it's GREAT though costly if it goes wrong) Harmon Kardon (standard set up is good, HK is awesome), sun roof (rare but nice)
Mine also has auto lights (bi-Xenons), auto mirrors, auto wipers, auto seats all of which add to the experience.
There are loads out there and if you can afford to do so wait. I hadn't seen an E500 with the spec mine came with for a long long time. When I saw it I snapped it up. It was no more expensive than other 500's with very average specs.
I'd look for 7 seats (obviously) leather, COMAND, sports suspension and phone prep.
Nice to haves; 17 inch wheels (look good) Air suspension (it's GREAT though costly if it goes wrong) Harmon Kardon (standard set up is good, HK is awesome), sun roof (rare but nice)
Mine also has auto lights (bi-Xenons), auto mirrors, auto wipers, auto seats all of which add to the experience.
There are loads out there and if you can afford to do so wait. I hadn't seen an E500 with the spec mine came with for a long long time. When I saw it I snapped it up. It was no more expensive than other 500's with very average specs.
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