What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
2006+ E220 vs 2008 C class (W204) reliability - DerekTrotter

Hi Everyone

I'm after an automatic diesel saloon and I think its a choice of the above 2 models, they both seem to have good reliability ratings however i've seen bad reports of both, what would your recommendations be if comparing reliability between the 2?

My budget will mean the one I will buy will have done 100k miles, the E class is older and to me it does look very dated, for that reason i'm leaning more towards the C class.

Advice would be much appreciated! :)

Edited by DerekTrotter on 12/10/2013 at 14:37

2006+ E220 vs 2008 C class (W204) reliability - skidpan

Unless your deeds say you can only park a Merc in your street or your contract of employment says you must drive a Merc I would honestly look elsewhere for a car. At 100k you can get problems with any car and on a Merc they are going to be expensive problems.

Take your money and look for a newer car with far less miles, if you want big cars Mondeos or a Skoda Superb spring immediately to mind.

2006+ E220 vs 2008 C class (W204) reliability - gordonbennet

My MB indy looks after (from brand new, that tells you about main dealer servicing) several private hire E class 220 Diesels, and i know the owner of the cars well too.

Bought new and serviced old school they usually get sold with just north of 400k miles on them and invariably only require good servicing to reach that (no shortage of buyers either), last time i saw one in there it was just coming up to 400k and had started smoking, two new injectors cured that.

BUT, those cars are driven by very very professional drivers, they stick out like a sore thumb because of the road skill and courtesy displayed, that must play a part in the long life of the cars.

If you go for W211 E class make sure its facelift, but i assume you know that as you are looking 06 onwards.

History is everything, main dealer is OK but i'd rather see a comprehensive history from a good MB specialist indy, that way you know the all important gearbox oil changes will have been done.