Can someone enlighten me on which Mercedes models are better tahn otheres in terms of relability?
Family member is looking for an estate. Got about 6-8 K.
Doesn't realy want a diesel as they seem a little slow so is looking for a V6. None seem to have leather, is this only standard on top of the ranges?
Is an E class much better than a C class?
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I've had a C270 estate and now have an E320. Very pleased with both.
At your budget, I would say it depends how big a car the family member wants/needs. The E Class is bigger and more comfortable (supreme on the motorway) but less 'nippy' on the handling front, and is a bigger heavier less economic car in general. AT that price you'll be looking at W202 C Class or W211 E Class. Both have had an issue with rust, especially the W211 E Class, so check for this carefully (wheel arches, door bottoms, tailgates), but if the car has had a full Mercedes Service History it should have been dealt with under warranty by now - I believe Merc will still entertain claims where the service history is patchy.
If they want leather there are plenty out there with it, so keep looking. Leather and auto box will help future resale, whatever your actual preferences are. Don't understand the comments on diesels - at this price you'll be able to buy a modern 220CDI diesel which will be as quick if not quicker than the equivalent petrol in real world driving, and will be more economical than a petrol V6. But it will hold it's price better as a result, so if the family member isn't doing too many miles, maybe get the V6 and spend the money that was saved on purchase on the extra petrol bills.
Check out MBClub.co.uk for a mine of information.
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"Doesn't realy want a diesel as they seem a little slow"
Not really they are about the same with the diesel having better torque and economy
Mercedes (petrol) E240 V6, 2.6 litre gets to 60mph in 8.6 seconds
Mercedes (diesel) E270CDI, gets to 60mph in 8.7 seconds.
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On the E-Class front, given the corrosion problems that plague the W210 (1996-2002) and the reliability problems that are dogging the W211 (2002 to date), you may even want to consider the W124 (pre-1996), of which HJ said "Estate cars come no better". They are not that easy to find because their owners hang on to them, but there is a specialist dealer in Brighton:
www.w124.co.uk/
where there's plenty of info, even if you don't pursue it further via that channel.
The W124 estate is not without its problems, but they are well documented and can be dealt with. By all accounts it's a wonderful car. An MB Club member recently bought one from a dismantler, thinking that it had done 170k and was perfectly satisfied with it. He later discovered its true mileage to be 420k, can hardly believe it and is now even more impressed with it. To quote another owner of one at 210k, "A brilliant car".
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The W124's are certainly excellent - but good examples are getting thin on the ground as time goes on.
Of the newer cars, rust should be your number one concern, followed by faulty autoboxes (maybe consider a manual instead).
Personally I wouldn't touch a Diesel in the sort of price range you mention. Any repair work tends to **start** at £1k...
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Lots of electrics/-onics problems surfacing in the W211.
As ever, I am saddened, being an MB owner, but I shall pick up another W124 on Tuesday, odometer well into six figures and feeling like it hasn't yet broken through 50k. Twin Garrett turbo is icing on the cake -- icing so thick and rich as to be irresistible.
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If you have uggings of money they are all nice but they are dogged with quality problems.The head honcho in Germany came on German tv to try and satisfy the public that the new range will be trouble free as public confidence in Germany is rock bottom.
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What sort of problems warrant starting repair prices of £1k? Injector territory?
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Immovably stuck glowplugs are the first disaster point, sometimes requiring cylinder head removal. More "routine" work on the fuel system will also remain insanely expensive until the diesel specialists and pattern spares manufacturers get their acts together.
Remember though, that this lot is fitted to a rusting body. Shop elsewhere.
659.
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It's the W210 that's the real rotter. That said, it doesn't affect them all. If you can find one now that is clear of corrosion, it may stay that way, but beware of those that have been resprayed because there are reports of its having to be done again. Some think that the fundamental weakness seems to be the pre-coated steel that lulled MB into a false sense of security about the need to finish it off and seal it properly.
www.eccacoil.com/main.asp?Page=52
The W211 appears to be better in that respect, but it seems that almost all MB models from 1997 onwards have been hit by corrosion, the W210 being the worst case, whereas some models have been hit in only a few individual cases.
Aprilia has said before than common-rail diesel systems in general are very "high maintenance" in the sense that absolutely everything has to be spot-on for them to work properly. They do not seem to be as tolerant of imperfections as were their predecessors. I've seen several reports here and within the MB Club of recent diesels failing to work properly.
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Immovably stuck glowplugs are the first disaster point, sometimes requiring cylinder head removal.
Tell me about it. Still sweating from a close call I had with one earlier this year. Incidentally, I found out that there is now a special tool available to 'vibrate free' the stuck plugs. Costs £1k, but a specialist near you may have one should disaster strike.
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What sort of problems warrant starting repair prices of £1k? Injector territory?
Usually the first 'port of call' is a set of injectors. I hear that these are now available for around £150. Not too dear, but multiply that x6, add labour for diagnosis and fitting and you hit £1k.
If its a pump failure then it can run to £2k+
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OK well in that case I think I will advise against.
Not to go too far off topic but how about the Audi A6 or a v70.
personaly the v70 looks nice on the outside but not in the inside but hey I won't be driving it.
So again if not an MB how about Audi A6 or Volvo V70?
thank you
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Look around for an old C250 Turbodiesel. Not many around and much sought after, because theyre fabulous motors.
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