I know there are few petrol heads in general on here and a few who wheel and deal in cars. Looking at changing the car, and now torn between two motors; Merc CLS 320cdi (circa 2009), and e-class 220 or 250cdi (circa 2010-11). Need more leg room as the kids are getting bigger, and the rugby paraphernalia gets more meaning more boot space needed. Both good on the above, and don't really need 5 seats, so both ok there. CLS looks nicer, both have very high spec, e-class is more efficient/economical. CLS is auto, e is manual - no concerns either way. Anybody any idea which depreciates slowest, any auto box probs, general things to look out for? Cheers, Pete
CLS is a lovely car and now fantastic value, however if you need more space why not have a look at an E320 CDI estate instead, they are mega comfortable, cavernous inside, hold their price and go on for ever. Just make sure you get one with plenty of kit, Comand is a must.
They're awful, the dynamics are terrible, crude 4 pot engines, front wheel drive, only one thing going for them ,they are cheap.
I've had mainly BMW's for the last 20 years, however in my opinion the best all round family car if you are after a no nonsense workhorse is a 2.0 TDI Passat Estate.
We're on our second Saab, it's a 9-3 1.9Ttid with 180 bhp, it's extremely comfortable, returns 50+mpg on a run and incredibly solid feeling to drive. I know some seem to suggest that means boring, but it's a car not a bike! When it comes to 4 wheels I want that level of comfort and solidity not something that feels like it's going to get blown over by a strong wind!
Don't buy a SAAB over a Merc. The C class is the minicabs car of choice all over the world. Both will lose their value at an even rate. However, if you can, get one with some stop start tech - you'll save a fortune in tax
sorry no help - just that I'm looking at A6 diesel estates and auto/manual thingy costs - ps hated the 'modern saab I had' the old turbo one 20 years ago was cool though I'll stop now
From a serial Merc owner, Merc's do not work with manual gearboxes, period. The foot parking brake means hill starts require a bucketload of juggling and nimble feet. The E-class would be a 212 at that age, it's a generation newer than the CLS and that shows - it's much more involving to drive where the 211/CLS were rather leaden old barges. Of those 2 you mention, I'd probably take the CLS (assuming the kids were small enough to deal with the reduced headroom). If you could find an auto W212 E-class to a similar price and spec, go for it.
CLS and E are the same floopan design, the CLS was essentially more of a styling excercise in that it was an E class with a coupe' line. As for the gearboxes, yes, stick with auto as you get all the little extras such as the hillstart pause. One thing to note, is that the gearbox speed sensors on the 5 speed are separate from the ecu, whereas the 7 speed are integrated into the gearbox ecu (it was cheaper for Merc and one less part on the bill of materials) When that gearbox ecu fails the 5 speed box will set you back 120 quid for the sensor. The 7 speed ecu/sensor is over a grand. You'll easily know if its on the way out - sluggish acceleration and when it won't change up or down or CLUNKs into gear when you engage. fuel economy won't be that much different between the 220 and 250 as they're the same engine with a power tweak, bearing in mind though, they're a big heavy car. The v6 diesels are quite sublime for lugging these barges around and you get reasonable economy comparatively for a 3L+ v6 engine. In terms of depreciation, merc estates will sell all day long, CLS will as its a prettier e class saloon, but the best of both worlds is the CLS shooting brake (cls estate) when they come down in price. Manual merc boxes are ok, but don't expect a super smooth and slick operation, manuals aren't their main market, so the design brief went along the lines of "if anyone complains, we'll sort it out under warranty". They are suitably unremarkable, but you'll notice it if you've been used to a BMW manual.
Buy a Saab. Dont listen to Matt. He bought a black ducati ffs. What does he know? :tongue: My Saab 9-3 Aero Auto is good for 210bhp. Is very comfortable, has electric everything and they all work. Has airbags on airbags, leather and all gadgets. Plus its reliable. This too is my 2nd. I loved the first so much I bought another. Plus its 5 star crash tested. My previous one went for 10yrs with minimal maintenance and never let go or broke down. Mercs are cheap tat. The plastics inside are junk. If I was buying I'd buy another Saab or maybe an Audi. But I got more for less with the Saab. Plus people let me out of junctions. :tongue: Its got a nice torquey motor too.
Theres been some bolloxs spoken on this forum but that is completely true. I made an unfortunate decision and got a manual Merc, what a mistake. Awful.
its not that they don't know how to make one, after all they get getrag or ZF to make them anywhay, but they don't need to make them! Their biggest market is the US at the moment... nuff said come on, the hand the seatbelt to you facility was in response to US market feedback from lardy's who couldn't be arsed to stretch - true that one!
