Opinions 2010-on Mercedes E220cdi estates's

Ferris

Hi all. Was just wondering what people thought of these as a family car, specifically those with the two additional seats in the boot?

Normally we would only require 4 of the permanent 5 seats. The additional ones only required when we have to ferry additional passengers (i.e. the grandparents:mad:). Both wife and I cannot go MPV and I hate soft-roaders on principle.

Are they generally reliable? Budget dictates that we will be looking at 2010-12 model year diesel cars which will likely have 80k+ miles on the clock. Additionally the car will likely only do low'ish annual mileage, albeit with longer runs hopefully at weekends. I do not see particular issues with DPF's etc. with this model which I would be keen to avoid.

Any experience would be appreciated.

Ferris

bump.

aaakev

They had a significant change in 2011 in terms of exterior and interior design but most notably they went to the 7G Tronic automatic gearbox with paddle shift and a stalk for gear selection which is much cleaner looking than the old gear stick. The 7G Tronic drives much better, is very responsive and helps return better fuel economy.

Id be looking at a 2011 or 2012 newer model if the budget allowed it.

The 651 engine is very reliable and the gearbox is too once looked after, check the gear oil has been changed and the car has a decent service history

I'd agree with Kev on the facelift bit and the 7gtronic. Big difference, worth looking for a 2011/2012 model year.

Ferris

That's great info, thanks.

aaakev

Likes of this one here. Its a bit on the high side of the pricing bit its a nice looking example and is the newer model.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-e-class-e220-cdi-be-amg-sport-auto/18546687

R.O.R

Not all E-Class Estates's have the folding rear seats, and it wasn't an option on certain models from a certain production (which I can't remember) - if the vehicle has AdBlue then the AdBlue tank is located where the fold down seats in the boot used to go.

What age / size are the kids? I once tried to squeeze in to the boot seat in an 09 E-Class Estate, and while I could fit, there was no way I'd be willing to spend more than 20 seconds in the position I had to get in to, to get in.

Realistically, I'd say the boot seats are only suitable for up to around 8 years old.

Ferris

Thanks, I know that it was an option but that makes sense about the Blue efficiency models. I believe the 7 seater retains the spare wheel however.

The kids are very young, eldest is just gone 4, but I would have to check out the seats for suitability. To be fair I believe that the rearmost seats in all but the largest MPV's are only suitable for kids, and like I said, neither the wife or I want an MPV/SUV anyway.

AFAIK that leaves the Merc (or a Volvo V70 / XC70) to be kinda the only game in town if we are serious about a 7 seater estate car.

R.O.R

Ferris wrote: »

Thanks, I know that it was an option but that makes sense about the Blue efficiency models. I believe the 7 seater retains the spare wheel however.

The kids are very young, eldest is just gone 4, but I would have to check out the seats for suitability. To be fair I believe that the rearmost seats in all but the largest MPV's are only suitable for kids, and like I said, neither the wife or I want an MPV/SUV anyway.

AFAIK that leaves the Merc (or a Volvo V70 / XC70) to be kinda the only game in town if we are serious about a 7 seater estate car.

V70 / XC70 hasn't had a rear facing boot seat option since the last new model which was released early 08 (I think), so 2007 or early are the only ones.

kerten

Ferris wrote: »

The kids are very young, eldest is just gone 4, but I would have to check out the seats for suitability. To be fair I believe that the rearmost seats in all but the largest MPV's are only suitable for kids, and like I said, neither the wife or I want an MPV/SUV anyway.

I think your restriction of "No SUV/MPV" is going to prevent you finding what you are looking for.

I am into cars myself and not a fun of SUV/MPV handling body roll. But I am very happy with my grand picasso in these days as I don't need to organize boot everytime or think about alternative way of transportation when needed.

I would go and drive couple of popular SUVs before dropping that option assuming MPV look is totally unwanted

Ferris

Surprisingly I am not the one with the veto here, I've accepted that my sports car days are over (mostly because i'll never get an RX8 as good as the one I had so there's no point, but I digress). My wife won't buy an MPV so that's that, she's none too happy about looking at estates either but she's somewhat convinced its the way to go due to our current saloon being too restrictive.

Also as we are moving to a single car in the family it has to be a jack of all trades.

The boot seats will not be in constant use, rather they are only to be used if we have to ferry grandparents/other kids on occasion - this type of occasion has been occurring on a more frequent basis recently and has necessitated two cars / drivers / etc. That is why I am interested in the merc, its just a normal estate car most of the time but it can accommodate more people if the need arises.

kerten

Ferris wrote: »

Surprisingly I am not the one with the veto here, I've accepted that my sports car days are over (mostly because i'll never get an RX8 as good as the one I had so there's no point, but I digress). My wife won't buy an MPV so that's that, she's none too happy about looking at estates either but she's somewhat convinced its the way to go due to our current saloon being too restrictive.

Also as we are moving to a single car in the family it has to be a jack of all trades.

The boot seats will not be in constant use, rather they are only to be used if we have to ferry grandparents/other kids on occasion - this type of occasion has been occurring on a more frequent basis recently and has necessitated two cars / drivers / etc. That is why I am interested in the merc, its just a normal estate car most of the time but it can accommodate more people if the need arises.

I still doubt you will be happy to see your kids or their grandparents trying to climb into a boot of an estate car with low roof. IMHO, If kids were in 5-10 age bracket, it could work.

Ferris

Ah now I wouldn't be putting the grandparents in the boot, they'd stay in the permenant seats. My eldest is 4 and can put her own seatbelt on so she'd be fine. Youngest is a baby so she'd be in the carseat on the normal back seat with isofix. That leaves 4 full seats for passengers which addresses the issue.

I'd better go and test drive one and see, if it doesn't suit its back to the drawing board.