E220 CDI Manual box??
Discussion
Just after some advice please.
I have an E220 CDI Exec SE as a co. car option and I'd appreciate some people's opinions on the manual gearbox. I would prefer an auto but budget doesn't quite stretch and tax is a touch more... Is the manual terrible? I've driven a C-Class with a manual and it didn't suit the car at all.
Also, I can get an A6 SE TDI for the same price (cheaper tax!) iis the E-Class exec SE the no-brainer or should I seriously consider the Audi and save a few quid in tax?
My preference is to waft about in silence with a focus on comfort over driver appeal.
Any opinions appreciated!
I have an E220 CDI Exec SE as a co. car option and I'd appreciate some people's opinions on the manual gearbox. I would prefer an auto but budget doesn't quite stretch and tax is a touch more... Is the manual terrible? I've driven a C-Class with a manual and it didn't suit the car at all.
Also, I can get an A6 SE TDI for the same price (cheaper tax!) iis the E-Class exec SE the no-brainer or should I seriously consider the Audi and save a few quid in tax?
My preference is to waft about in silence with a focus on comfort over driver appeal.
Any opinions appreciated!
It's not a terrible gearbox and certainly sells better than it used to. You have the hold function which would help with hill starts - I guess it all comes down to wether you can live with having 4 pedals to contend with!
The Exec SE is a really nicely specced car as standard, not too sure what you get on an A6 SE, but I'd guess it doesn't have quite as much as the E-Class.
The Exec SE is a really nicely specced car as standard, not too sure what you get on an A6 SE, but I'd guess it doesn't have quite as much as the E-Class.
I've got my eye on an E220 CDI Executive SE Estate (what a mouthful). The lease deals are just too good to ignore and for me there are big tax advantages. The spec is pretty good, I couldn't really find much to add except the long range fuel tank, multi-contour seats and comfort suspension. The only really big ones I'd think about are the memory seats and the intelligent xenon lights but since the objective is to save money I'll probably not bother with those. I would have to have the auto, however.
r129sl said:
I've got my eye on an E220 CDI Executive SE Estate (what a mouthful). The lease deals are just too good to ignore and for me there are big tax advantages. The spec is pretty good, I couldn't really find much to add except the long range fuel tank, multi-contour seats and comfort suspension. The only really big ones I'd think about are the memory seats and the intelligent xenon lights but since the objective is to save money I'll probably not bother with those. I would have to have the auto, however.
Have you checked how much the options add to the lease? Often they bump it up out of all proportion to the base cost.r129sl said:
I've got my eye on an E220 CDI Executive SE Estate (what a mouthful). The lease deals are just too good to ignore and for me there are big tax advantages. The spec is pretty good, I couldn't really find much to add except the long range fuel tank, multi-contour seats and comfort suspension. The only really big ones I'd think about are the memory seats and the intelligent xenon lights but since the objective is to save money I'll probably not bother with those. I would have to have the auto, however.
you can't get Xenon lights as an option on the Executive SE ..Deva Link said:
Have you checked how much the options add to the lease? Often they bump it up out of all proportion to the base cost.
Massive. Basically you have to pay the entirety of the option cost over the lease term. So if it is 6 x 35, which I'm looking at, simply divide the cost of the option by 41 to see how much it adds to the monthly payment. £1,000 option equals £24-odd a month extra. At least I can't have £1,200 on xenon lights! I hadn't noticed that somehow.I've been running a facelift 220D C-Class Sport Estate with manual box for 3 months. I would assume it is the same gearbox as the E?
Running as a company car and there were BiK tax benefits from lower emissions on manual. Given that I have always been used to manuals, I didn't see it as a problem. 3 months later, I still don't see it as a problem. The Hill Assist is a very handy & highly effective feature & the gear ratios / change is all adequate (at least on a par with the A4 I had before).
having said that- with this being my first ever Merc (& I must say I am chuffed to bits with it so far)- there is just something about Mercs that makes them inherently suited to an auto box.... Therefore if I go Merc again, I will go auto- not because there is any problem with the manual- but because it will just 'feel' more appropriate.;
Running as a company car and there were BiK tax benefits from lower emissions on manual. Given that I have always been used to manuals, I didn't see it as a problem. 3 months later, I still don't see it as a problem. The Hill Assist is a very handy & highly effective feature & the gear ratios / change is all adequate (at least on a par with the A4 I had before).
having said that- with this being my first ever Merc (& I must say I am chuffed to bits with it so far)- there is just something about Mercs that makes them inherently suited to an auto box.... Therefore if I go Merc again, I will go auto- not because there is any problem with the manual- but because it will just 'feel' more appropriate.;
r129sl said:
Deva Link said:
Have you checked how much the options add to the lease? Often they bump it up out of all proportion to the base cost.
Massive. Basically you have to pay the entirety of the option cost over the lease term. So if it is 6 x 35, which I'm looking at, simply divide the cost of the option by 41 to see how much it adds to the monthly payment. £1,000 option equals £24-odd a month extra. At least I can't have £1,200 on xenon lights! I hadn't noticed that somehow.So far as I can tell the Exec SE is an Avantgarde without the xenon headlights. Didn't know that about the Comand. Thanks. Although I have changed my mind for about the ten millionth time in the course of the day.
Back to the original post, I had a w211 E200 loan car with a 6-speed manual box and rather liked it, much to my surprise.
Back to the original post, I had a w211 E200 loan car with a 6-speed manual box and rather liked it, much to my surprise.
matc said:
The Exec SE doesn't miss much as standard though, leather, heated seats, Bluetooth, sat-nav. You can upgrade to COMAND for just over £1 per month as it's only £700ish and adds pretty much that to the residual!
Don't think it comes with the mirror pack though - auto-dimming interior and drivers door mirror plus folding door mirrors which are all pretty useful if perhaps not essential, however then there's the aluminium trim which IMO doesn't suit an E-Class, it needs wood (or wood effect wood!).yellowbentines said:
matc said:
The Exec SE doesn't miss much as standard though, leather, heated seats, Bluetooth, sat-nav. You can upgrade to COMAND for just over £1 per month as it's only £700ish and adds pretty much that to the residual!
Don't think it comes with the mirror pack though - auto-dimming interior and drivers door mirror plus folding door mirrors which are all pretty useful if perhaps not essential, however then there's the aluminium trim which IMO doesn't suit an E-Class, it needs wood (or wood effect wood!).Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff