Mercedes E320 Diesels

[Station]

Has anyone owned one of these and can tell me what they are like?

 

 

That one looks like it's had a few knocks, but they seem cheap for what they are/were.

[Bear]

They rust a bit

The engines are awesome

The gearbox went on mine but wasn't a major fix (just badly timed with me sulking about working on it and stress)

They're very comfortable

I got 50mpg on one Heathrow run, and typically just over 40mpg average

Routine parts aren't expensive - typical Mercedes

The headlights are shit, and get worse as they yellow

They're not deservedly cheap, but spending a tad more and inspecting/shopping around is probably wise in the long run.

[Cavcraft]

Rust/electrics/broken springs/rust/broken springs/electrics. They're a bit like an un-commercial IVECO.

[Station]

I read if you take the spring off with the incorrect tool on these, you'll die or something.

The only ones for sale are in Bristol (as usual).

 

Apart from this one (no test):

 

https://www.gumtree.com/p/mercedes-benz/mercedes-benz-e320-cdi-estate-avanguard-7-seater-top-of-the-range-of/1153807704

[Bear]

If you try taking coils off with external compressors you'll get very annoyed.

 

The proper tool makes swapping coils a 20 minute job per coil.

I have the proper tool. You can get versions of it for £60, which probably work just as well as the one I got (which was rather more but a brand I trust).

[forddeliveryboy]

Find one which hasn't rusted (they exist) and which is looked after in the old-fashioned Mercedes way.

[sutty2006]

I spotted that one on ebay too. Its a bit too battered for my liking. Makes me wonder how hard its been treated in the past. Dome has one for sale on here. A nice looking motor too.

[skattrd]

Dome's motor is the pre-cdi isn't it, so less powerful but veg friendly.

Unless I'm mistaken isn't Pete-M running one of these?

[SiC]

I spotted that one on ebay too. Its a bit too battered for my liking. Makes me wonder how hard its been treated in the past. Dome has one for sale on here. A nice looking motor too.

As someone who lives in Bristol, like most big cities, its full of inconsiderate bastards who knock your doors/catch paint work/etc. Personally, for run-arounds, I'm on the lookout for those cars that have a few minor scrapes and dings. To start with these cars are cheaper, but that way I get less upset when I come back to my car in a car park and find more. Also possibly why, despite having the lowest unemployment in the country and good wages, a lot of people drive around in older beaten up cars.

 

Plus these old mercs are traditionally giffer cars, so likely to suffer a few misguided parking attempts.

 

I just call the marks, Lane Changing Assistance Markers - because others are much more likely to let you in if there is a big dent along the side!

[Pete-M]

I've got one. It needed a bit of welding. Electrically it's blob on.

 

Front spring perches do rot and kill them, but mine is fine. It's got a few scabs here and there. Rear subframe bushes and front shocks are common jobs that need doing, as are injector seals.

 

Mine has never managed 40 mpg while I've owned it, and it'll sometimes drop below 20 mpg in town.

 

I'd only risk one with FSH. Mine was bought new by a company and then by the same driver who serviced it at the same place. Chap I bought it from also took it to the same garage for servicing. It's done 188k but has been maintained properly so no missed services or back street bodgery has been inflicted on it. I've continued servicing it properly. It's the ones which have been skimped on that'll crucify the old wallet.

 

It's ace.

[smellmycheese]

I looked at two, both with leaking injector seals. Apparently they can be an absolute twat to get out which is probably why they were for sale. Horrendous wing rot

[Pete-M]

They're a twat to get out if they've been left to leak. Mine were dealt with quickly.

[Station]

I'd only risk one with FSH. Mine was bought new by a company and then by the same driver who serviced it at the same place. Chap I bought it from also took it to the same garage for servicing. It's done 188k but has been maintained properly so no missed services or back street bodgery has been inflicted on it. I've continued servicing it properly. It's the ones which have been skimped on that'll crucify the old wallet.

 

It's ace.

 

So you wouldn't suggest buying one for £300 then?

[Pete-M]

I'm not afraid of a bargain, but I'd look at it very carefully before throwing money at it.

 

Bits to check:

Injector seals - if it sounds like a ticking exhaust manifold when you boot it there's a seal gone. Také some torx bits with you, whip off the engine cover and if it's covered in black sticky shit under there then that's gonna be an issue. Full set of seals and stretch bolts from Mercedes is under £20. The fun bit is getting them out if it has black death. Also, as I discovered, the oil level rises as diesel makes its way towards the sump.

 

Check around the jacking points, and open the side panels in the luggage compartment. They rot both sides.

 

Front coil spring perches. These are hard to check as they're covered in sealant.

 

Glow plugs. They'll fire happily from cold on 4 or 5 but it'll put huge amounts of smoke out for a few seconds. If the glow plug light stays on for about 30 seconds then goes out that's the sign of at least one dodgy plug. They're under £10 each for allegedly NGK ones.

 

Rear suspension is self levelling on the S210 320. Driven from the power steering pump, there's a reservoir on the near side under the bonnet. Subframe bushes are a common issue, as are the top bushes on the self levelling struts. Look for signs of leaks around the things that look like shock absorbers. There are also Citroën style spheres involved. The self leveling units aren't cheap. Spheres are the usual £40 ish. No LHM madness. It'll flash up "SLS fault" if there's anything major up with the rear suspension hydraulics.

 

If you have to jump start it the display will put up a load of serious looking lights, normally ABS, TCS and BAS. They should go out as soon as it's moving then stay off.

 

The viscous fan clutch will probably be buggered. They're about £80 and it'll sound like a hovercraft. Correct running temp is around 85°, if it's less then either the viscous fan clutch is fucked or the thermostat is stuck open. Thermostat is anywhere between £25-45.

 

Check all the windows work as they should, the regs (especially the rear ones) are made from cheese.

 

Check the auto dipping mirrors work. Stick your finger over the sensor on the windscreen side of the interior mirror (make sure the interior lights are off and it's not in reverse) and both the interior and offside mirrors should darken considerably. There'll be a switch to the right side of the mirror adjuster that should fold the mirrors in and out - of they're anything like the ones on mine they'll creak madly. If they move just a little bit then a spot of silicon lube will free them off.

 

If it has electric seats it'll also have an electric steering column. The switch is on the drivers seat switch panel.

 

The key may have a boot release button. It won't work, they don't have a remote tailgate release, the key will be from a saloon. Mine has both types of key.

 

The tailgate has 'soft close', when you close it just gently lower it until it clicks and then it'll close itself.

 

Cruise control should work, if it goes off after a few seconds check all the tyres are the same size as it'll cancel if it detects different rolling radii. Click the cruise stalk in and a little orange light will come on, that's the speed limiter.

 

Gearbox should be very smooth and inaudible.

 

It looks like a lot of stuff, but a good spec 320 CDI Avantgarde was a £40k motor new.

 

Good luck. They're ace. Far better to drive than a W124.

[cort1977]

I've got a petrol one.  

 

Wing rot (which I'm currently fixing in an Autoshite way involving pop rivets and filler).  

Spring perches only an issue on RWD ones, 4matic OK.  

Rear regulators are shite (which is why mine is currently replaced with a 2 x 4)

HID lights are OK once polished.

Rusty blebs. 

 

Shame about the rust as they are fine machines for a long drive IMO.

[RoadworkUK]

Wot Pete-M said. Best E-Class ever in my opinion, terrific ride, too. MB dropped the ball somewhat on the W211 replacement with all its daft SBC trickery.

 

320D is terrific, but I've had an inordinate amount of fun in E430s and one of those would probably get my vote.

[Pete-M]

I really want an S210 E55 AMG.

[Longblackcoat]

SBC can be sorted for not too much, and post-facelift (56 plate) doesn't apply anyway. Loved my 210, prefer my 211 in every way. Lack of rust is a big factor.

[Pete-M]

A 211 320 cdi is about 20x the £300 asking price of the one Dave's looking at....

[Station]

I bought one and drove it back 70 miles. Really impressed with it, drive is very quiet and smooth.
Car inside was filthy, Rizlas, roach material, ciggie ends, Coke bottles, filled a big bag with rubbish. How do people drive with so much crap and filth in their car. There was a three inch thick pile of MDF shavings in the third seat cavity.

What one have you got Pete?

[Pete-M]

320 CDI wagon.

 

ESP BAS ABS first thing to check is the brake light switch. £12 from MB. Even with a b0rked switch the brake lights often still work, just not well enough to keep the ABS etc happy.

 

Second thing to check is the battery. It's under the o/s/r seat. If it's cabbaged that'll also kick off the ABS Etc. Check voltage.

 

Then get it plugged in somewhere. It uses the round OBD socket, not OBD II, but anyone with a decent diagnostic Gubbin should have the correct adaptor.

[Station]

Ah OK, I read about the brake switch. The brake lights do work.

I broke the bonnet release thing - the red handle. Pulled it too hard and it broke off at the hinge. then I couldn't close the bonnet, because the cable was obviously jammed ('they all do this').

 

It needs a wash. Also new arches and wings. Also etc etc. I'm glad it's black/metallic black, you can't take these cars seriously if they're not silver/white/black. Green???

 

 

 

What the fuck is this??

 

 

Mould on rear seats - I had to empty the hoover six times from all the crap. Half of Delamere Forest in here!

 

 

I think one of the previous owners was a golfer, as there were over 20 of these in the car. Definitely not the previous owner as he was absolutely blitzed when I went to see the car. He pointed out the TV in the back three times lol.

 

 

 

 

Interior mess aside, this is a seriously well made car and the boot is huge. Dem cupholders on the sides for rear-rear passengers.

 

[cort1977]

Forgot the rear facing seats, my kids love those.

 

Also, if the throttle goes weird and unresponsive there is a reset procedure that restores normal function for a few months in the case of mine.

[twosmoke300]

Well made ! Those mercs are the rustiest shonkiest shit I have ever had the misfortune to work on . The Pre Cdi motor is ok but the rest of them can gtf

[Pete-M]

That looks OK. Nav, too.

 

Mine doesn't have nav

[hauserplenty]

Oof!

I drove a 99 E320, with 188K showing on the odometer, for a week while I changed the head gasket on my W124. Although I could tell it was not as well built as the earlier car, it was a 21st century car ten years prior. It had better steering, due to rack-and-pinion, a tilt wheel, a V6 with OBD-II, HFM, and a 5-speed. It really put the heavy steering of mine, and the idea of chugging along at 3000 RPM at freeway speeds in its place. I would upgrade to the newer car every time.

I was then told that the car actually had > 300,000 miles on it, as the instrument cluster had been replaced. So I will soon have to find one to call my own. Meantime, I'll just have to make do.

 

Black on black is a great color combination on these. Also it looks like yours has a different transmission to the US ones, because diesel?

[Pete-M]

320 CDI are all facelift jobs, which means they get the 722.6 5 G-tronic auto box, which is nigh on bombproof*. They'll take 795 lb ft...

 

*Richard K's example shat itself.

[Station]

Well made ! Those mercs are the rustiest shonkiest shit I have ever had the misfortune to work on . The Pre Cdi motor is ok but the rest of them can gtf

Interior and mechanicals, panels are really not very well rust proof, there's rust specs on every surface, the water based paint they used is shite as well, or it is on this one in places.

I had the brake light switch out and it isn't the same as on YouTube - YouTube problem ones are two pin and I have two multi plugs. Unless I'm looking at the wrong one - internals of the switch are just contacts and not variable resistance.

 

This could be up for sale soon as I've been offered something else.

[skattrd]

I thought you were pissing off abroad Dave, what's with this buying more cars?

[Station]

Will be mid March - I need a practical car at the moment.