E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi

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Tue 27 Oct 2015 18:21
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - killie77

Hi

Have an oppertunity to buy an E Class 270 CDi from a family friend.

The Car belonged to her husband who passed away. She doesn't drive so is looking to move it on. Its an 04 plate which i realise is getting on a bit. Had a look at the car this afternoon and had a test drive it has been very well looked after cosmetically. Checked all the Mot's from the last 6 years or so their was an advisory regarding brake pipe corrosion. their was a receipt for new brake pipes pads and discs from last year so I guess that's sorted.

It's done 92000 miles up till now, I'm wondering if their is anything else to look out for. Had a look on the Car by Car and it was mentioed that some electrical problems were evident in the 2003/2004 Models I'm hoping that would have been rectified by now. Fingers Crossed.

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated

Regards

Ian.

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Tue 27 Oct 2015 19:06
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - gordonbennet

Apart from the electrical issues, we assume this is an early W211 model, will be fitted with the SBC braking system that MB used on this model and i believe some S/SL class too, system dropped at facelift around 06.

Its an electrical hydraulic pump system that pressurises the brakes instead of a normal vacuum servo, the problem being it has a limited number of lives (brake applications) and once its exhausted those it should be changed or you will find massively reduced (circa 10% of normal if my memory serves) brakes available, its a £1500 job i believe.

There are serious dangers when DIYing brakes with this system so do not touch the brakes till you learn how to disable it.

Early 211's weren't galvanized so look carefully for corrosion, i'd spend more time underneath than up top checking it, if it needed brake pipes already its possible the salt wasn't washed off after winters.

Not trying to put you off, still a lovely car and so long as you're aware of what might need doing, bought well is a fine car in its own right.

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Tue 27 Oct 2015 19:37
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - killie77

Thanks for the quick reply.

I'm up in Glasgow. The roads up here get a lot of salt with the gritters out every winter. That does seem a bit worrying about the SBC braking system is their any way of checking it other than taking it to Mercedes.?

If i bought the car and at the asking price im very tempted . I would be using an Independant Mercedes place in Glasgow for servicing and repairs. The wife and myself don't cover a lot of mileage propbably less than 3000 a year so it wont be getting a lot of use. But i would be concerned if the brakes were going to start playing up. Not sure what to do at the moment.

Regards

Ian

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Tue 27 Oct 2015 19:56
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - gordonbennet

Actually being a 270 it will be a W211, if you've got a good MB Indy in Glasgow what not pop in and have a chat with the gaffer about the motor, he's bound to have come across any new developments in refurbing the SBC control unit, he's bound to have STAR which should be able to interrogate the system (haven't a clue if it gives a reading of lives left), if he hasn't got STAR he'll be struggling with this car.

At worse case its probably a £1500 job for a complete new module, so long as thats costed into the purchase price does it matter?

I'm a DIyer but blowed if i'd be sticking my fingers anywhere near an SBC pumped caliper, the system is always awake unless correctly shut down, so there you are delving into the innards of the front calipers, someone opens the drivers door and ''fingers guillotine's'' brake pump wakes up instantly..aaarrgh.

Edited by gordonbennet on 27/10/2015 at 19:59

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Tue 27 Oct 2015 19:41
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - madf

Look at the front crossmember and front suspension VERY carefully for rust - under the sump.. and cracking around the suspension turrets...Read the HJ guide very thoroughly.

These were built in the days of rubbish MB paint so beware...Also check the engine very carefully for fuel leaks where the injectors meet the heads. ..

If it's 2004, it's overdue for the breakers..

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Tue 27 Oct 2015 20:05
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - killie77

Thanks for all the advice

Got me worried now :( Will pop down tomorrow and and have a look around underneath. I know it passed an MOT in July this year with no advisories so Im guessing the underneath might not be to bad. Up here with the Rain and Snow cars dont live long without going rusty.

Had a read up on the SBC thingy apparently Merceded replaced them free of charge due to a 10 year warranty on parts but not sure if that was in the US.

Regards

Ian

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Tue 27 Oct 2015 20:12
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - gordonbennet

Last time i went on a MB forum (stopped going there due to silly bickering not involving me which spoiled it) the news was that MB were no longer replacing them FOC, that depended on full MBSH anyway.

I wouldn't worry too much, if your indy is half the man mine is he'll have a cheaper solution for you in the event that the thing times out...not all do by the way, if it counts down then much would depend on usage and driver quality, some people ride the brakes, we've all seen them, some people barely get them warm.

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Tue 27 Oct 2015 20:19
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - killie77

Used to be a member of the MB Forum when I had the Mercedes Jeep had the same 270 engine as the E Class.

Looking over their website of the place in Glasgow just next to Ibrox football ground. They appear to have the Mercedes Star system diagnostic machine so that sounds like it might come in usefull. I'm wondering what the limit is before the SBC thing cuts out ?

Wonder if as you say it depends on your driving style or does it go on how many times the brakes are pressed. either way if it can be reset or refurbished that has to be a good thing.

Ian

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Wed 28 Oct 2015 13:25
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - killie77

Thought I would post an Update.

Went back down this morning to have another look at the car. Got underneath. No rust that I could see although the Engine seems to have a Plastic sheild covering almost everything under their. Looks like its had a new exhaust system fitted . Had another longer test drive this morning Car was reallly steady on the motorway. Going along at 80 mph revs were just a fraction over 2000. Put in an offer which was accepted so now the owner of the E class 270.

Couple of electrical niggles, thought i was getting away to easily.

Parktronic sensors are playing up switch them 20 seconds they switch off

might be something simple like the sensors need cleaning car has been standing around a little while. Other little niggle when I try to demist the windscreen with the blowers on only a fraction of air goes to the windscreen and the rest blows out the centre and side vents. Once again might be an easy fix possible cabin filter blocked. Or the attenuator motor arm is broken.

Going to book it in for a service at the Merc Indy and see waht needs doing

Fingers Crossed nothing to much to do..

Ian

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Wed 28 Oct 2015 16:56
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - gordonbennet

Thanks for the update, really nce car hope it does well for you, if only i had Avants money etc..:-)

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Wed 28 Oct 2015 17:11
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - killie77

Thanks for the kind words.

Think the Windscreen demister thing has sorted itself. Found a switch on the dash that looks like a heated windscreen, but actually blows alternate hot and cold air very rapidly so that seems to demist the screen.

Not having much luck with the parking sensors. I've cleaned them but the car had been recently valeted and I think they may have sprayed some of that clear laquer after they washed it. Will try some degreaser on the sensors if that doesnt work it might be a fault sensor/s

Ian

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Wed 28 Oct 2015 21:11
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - barney100

I've had various Mercs, C classes, CLKs and now an SLK. using an indie makes good sense and though some parts can be expensive with a bit of luck you can avoid them. Look for the dreaded tin worm round the wheel arches, door bottoms etc. :Join the owners club....10 % off parts and loads of advice...you could even ring them for expert buying guidance.

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Thu 29 Oct 2015 08:40
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - pd

The sensors often go wrong. It is probably only one or two but you need someone to plug it in to find out which.

IIRC they are easy to replace on these as they are on a clip in strip so you do not need to remove the bumper(s) and the sensors can be found for about £12 on ebay.

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Fri 30 Oct 2015 21:26
E Class 270 Cdi - Looking at buying E 270 CDi - killie77

Thanks for the info on the sensors. I've tried cleaning them but no joy.

So must be one or two faulty ones. I have it booked in this Monday coming for a safety check at an Indy Mercedes place in Glasgow. Might ask them to have a look at the sensors. Had the Rocker covers off the other day to check for leaks from the injector seals. All appear dry and tidy .

Apart from the sensors I think I may have bought a car thats been well looked after rare thing these days i know.Will find out what lies beneath when they get it up on the ramp on Monday.

Ian

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