E280 (2007 / 57) sport estate advice.
Discussion
I wonder if any of you guys more familiar with the brand could advise me on any potential issues with this model.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4117638.htm
I had a quick drive over the weekend and it's a lovely car. Very clean and obviously well cared for but I had the kids with me and it was late in the day so could not have a comprehensive look over the car or the books etc. but will revist for a more comprehensive viewing if it's the right car.
No concerns at all over the dealer. Very professional.
Having done a some online research, it seems that the E-Class models improved quite a bit after 2006, but any user experiences would be hugely welcome as they don't seem to cover themselves in glory prior to this. Maybe those who have been unlucky are more vociferous??
I'm just wondering if this would turn into a bit of a money pit in the next few years.
Many thanks in advance.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4117638.htm
I had a quick drive over the weekend and it's a lovely car. Very clean and obviously well cared for but I had the kids with me and it was late in the day so could not have a comprehensive look over the car or the books etc. but will revist for a more comprehensive viewing if it's the right car.
No concerns at all over the dealer. Very professional.
Having done a some online research, it seems that the E-Class models improved quite a bit after 2006, but any user experiences would be hugely welcome as they don't seem to cover themselves in glory prior to this. Maybe those who have been unlucky are more vociferous??
I'm just wondering if this would turn into a bit of a money pit in the next few years.
Many thanks in advance.
I did 40k miles in a 2008 E220 (smaller 4 cylinder engine) and still miss it. They're tough cars and those at that age/mileage should still look excellent with no problems - if there's any hint of corrosion to the body or any electrical items don't work I'd walk away.
Make sure the one-off autobox oil change was done at around 3 years/40k miles.
Nothing else I can think of other than check the usual, that it was serviced on the button, with decent branded tyres that demonstrate a previous owner that didn't skimp on maintenance, no signs of poorly repaired accident damage, no damage to seats (my driver's bolster looked like new at 42k miles and the leather was never treated!).
The COMAND Sat Nav will probably be out of date, I don't think many bother with new discs as they're not cheap.
ETA I think their is a couple of guys on here who chaffeur in this era of E-Class and have run up huge mileages. I've actually thought about changing my 61 plate W212 back to a slightly older W211 E Class, I think they're great cars and appear to be built to last.
Make sure the one-off autobox oil change was done at around 3 years/40k miles.
Nothing else I can think of other than check the usual, that it was serviced on the button, with decent branded tyres that demonstrate a previous owner that didn't skimp on maintenance, no signs of poorly repaired accident damage, no damage to seats (my driver's bolster looked like new at 42k miles and the leather was never treated!).
The COMAND Sat Nav will probably be out of date, I don't think many bother with new discs as they're not cheap.
ETA I think their is a couple of guys on here who chaffeur in this era of E-Class and have run up huge mileages. I've actually thought about changing my 61 plate W212 back to a slightly older W211 E Class, I think they're great cars and appear to be built to last.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 10th September 13:47
We have an 09 320 CDI Sport estate (mechanically identical apart from a different power output) and fully endorse what Yellowbentine says - we also ran a 55 plate 220 from new a year or two ago. We bought our current car secondhand with 8 months MB warranty remaining - it had some issues with rear suspension, and required quite a lot of work on sorting this at MB's expense, and the driver's seat cover was replaced under warranty due to wear on the bolsters, but I think these faults are not commonplace on these cars. The only item we have had to pay out on apart from servicing is a bottom ball joint for its MOT, at about 52,000 miles - a known weakness. There is an oil seal on a pipe to the turbo (I think) that does fail on early V6 cars but our car apparently has a revised design, but the car you are looking at may have the original, which can leak and causes problems with the inlet port shut off motor (again, I think) causing problems which necessitates a pretty costly repair - worth investigating getting the upgraded seal installed.
The car has the standard self levelling rear suspension - all S211 estates have this, apart from AMG and E500s which come with Airmatic as standard or if it is added as an option to lower order models. I don't think the problem is widespread - the car would sit lop sided and then, without any evident pattern, either level up or remain lop sided when the engine was runnning. Our car had a new unit one one side, the other side's unit was found to be wrongly fitted, all pipework was replaced and the level sensors checked. According to the dealer, it was the first one they had problems with in about 3 years, and I have not seen any other mentions of it. Ocasionally it will vary in height by 10mm side to side when parked, but this seems to be a common pattern.
Thanks again chaps. Stegel, I didn't realise they all had the adjustable suspension.
With my very limited knowledge, I thought it was cars that had this button. The one I am looking at doesn't which then begs the question, what does this do?
Sorry to bug you, I've also seen you had a thread about this issue with one side drooping. My concern is that I wouldn't have the luxury of the MB warranty.
Still, as said, thourough pre purchase checks will be made.
GTIR; 410K!!
AS you say though, looks fine still.
With my very limited knowledge, I thought it was cars that had this button. The one I am looking at doesn't which then begs the question, what does this do?
Sorry to bug you, I've also seen you had a thread about this issue with one side drooping. My concern is that I wouldn't have the luxury of the MB warranty.
Still, as said, thourough pre purchase checks will be made.
GTIR; 410K!!
AS you say though, looks fine still.
Edited by Pixel Pusher on Tuesday 11th September 10:15
Pixel Pusher said:
Thanks again chaps. Stegel, I didn't realise they all had the adjustable suspension.
They don't, they all have self-levelling, but you have no control over it - didn't realise my car had it until I loaded it up one day and the back arches were nearly touching the tyres, started the engine and voila, the rear raised itself to level!And 410k, makes my 40k ownership period seem like a drive round the block!
GTIR said:
That's the best colour interior spec imo.
Also, remember that the sport will not be as comfortable as it has firmer suspension than the Avantegarde Then why would you buy a sport estate anyway?
Valid point, and I have no doubt you are correct, although I have no comparison so to speak of as this is the only variant I have tried.Also, remember that the sport will not be as comfortable as it has firmer suspension than the Avantegarde Then why would you buy a sport estate anyway?
What I will say though, is that coming from a recognised PH favourite; A Seat Alhambra
to this, even the Sport version seems like riding a magic carpet!The suspension issue was a pain, but it has not spoiled it - it is a very capable, solid and hopefully safe family load lugger, capable of travelling long distances effortlessly.
The Sport models do have a firm ride, with the lower suspension (although I think it is the same as the Avantgarde) and frankly daft low profile tyres (35 on the rear) meaning it does crash about on poor surfaces, but on decent roads it is very smooth. Agree on it being a good colour choice - same as our car - especially when clean.
The Sport models do have a firm ride, with the lower suspension (although I think it is the same as the Avantgarde) and frankly daft low profile tyres (35 on the rear) meaning it does crash about on poor surfaces, but on decent roads it is very smooth. Agree on it being a good colour choice - same as our car - especially when clean.
GTIR said:
I've got a 07 E220 saloon.
Issues I've had are; springs snapping, water pump bearing going, ball joints, wheel bearings...erm. That's about it!
Oh, and 410k miles and still looking good!
That's incredible! A contractor I'm working with has just bought a pre-facelift 55 plate 320CDI Sport on 200k miles and I thought that was an achievement! It drives superbly and looks good inside and out.Issues I've had are; springs snapping, water pump bearing going, ball joints, wheel bearings...erm. That's about it!
Oh, and 410k miles and still looking good!
Stegel said:
The suspension issue was a pain, but it has not spoiled it - it is a very capable, solid and hopefully safe family load lugger, capable of travelling long distances effortlessly.
The Sport models do have a firm ride, with the lower suspension (although I think it is the same as the Avantgarde) and frankly daft low profile tyres (35 on the rear) meaning it does crash about on poor surfaces, but on decent roads it is very smooth. Agree on it being a good colour choice - same as our car - especially when clean.
Thanks again Stegel.The Sport models do have a firm ride, with the lower suspension (although I think it is the same as the Avantgarde) and frankly daft low profile tyres (35 on the rear) meaning it does crash about on poor surfaces, but on decent roads it is very smooth. Agree on it being a good colour choice - same as our car - especially when clean.
The one I'm looking at is my only experience thus far so as said, the ride seemed fine by comparison to what I have now.
That tyre size "thing" is a bit odd. 265 / 35 on the rear & 245 / 40 on the front. I get the width difference but the profile difference surprised me. Just unfamiliar I guess.
It has a full MB main dealer history and that Transmission oil change has been done at 37K.
Very tempted, but I just can't shake that "What if X goes bang?" feeling.
Really appreciate all the feedback guys.
PP
Just to help allay your fears and get you over the dealer's doorstep - the E is my wife's car, I have run a 320CDI CLS since new for 6 years and 76,000 miles - basically an E class in drag. Love it to bits, never kept a car for so long - I get disenchanted if they play up, but this still does what it did when new. One broken front spring, a couple of glow plugs, it will have a new ball joint for its MOT next week and I am also having the oil seal I mentioned earlier replaced as a precaution - it has cost me just a few hundred over and above routine servicing, brakes and tyres. It could go bang tomorrow of course, but anything could!
Stegel said:
The tyre sizes the OP posted ( 265 / 35 on the rear & 245 / 40 on the front) are the factory fit standards on Sport models - can't think why they need to be different profile, or why an estate should go so low!?
Because the number used for the profile isn't a size as such, its a ratio/% of the width, so they'll probably be exactly the same profile, it's just that as the rears are wider the profile is a smaller percentage of a bigger width!HTH
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff