E-Class (W211) Mercedes-Benz E-Class W211 Picture Thread

[Yaz]

The W211 has aged gracefully. I find myself looking at one in traffic or on used car lots. Maybe an '09 E550 is in order.

 

[Monster]

The W211 has aged gracefully. I find myself looking at one in traffic or on used car lots. Maybe an '09 E550 is in order.

Should definitely consider one, or take one out for a test drive, mechanically the W211 are very solid.

 

[Tarek]

The W220,W203 and W211 that generation of MB sedans were really good mechanically.

 

[cawimmer430]

My dad had a 2002 E320 Avantgarde W211 and it was awesome. I remember that car as the first great-handling E-Class (the W210 still drove like a boat, even in Avantgarde trim). 224-horsepower from a 3.2 V6 sounds “underpowered” nowadays, but it had grunt, accelerated quickly and even delivered impressive fuel economy. I really miss that car and the way it drove.

Nothing ever went wrong with it. It was a dead reliable car and also fun to drive. The only “problem” it ever gave us was a dead battery during a particular cold winter when the car wasn’t driven for almost two weeks. That was our fault. But the issue was quickly fixed and it didn’t affect the electronic parts of the car (memory seats, navigation etc.). I believe the car was part of the SBC recall, but I can’t remember if my dad had it removed or not. The SBC brake had never given us trouble.

I love all E-Classes. My favorites are the W123, W114/W115 and then the W210.

My least favorite? The W124. I don’t know why but the W124 (along with the W201) are for me some of the ugliest and most bland Mercedes’ around. I’ve never been able to properly explain why I dislike the W124.

 

[Tarek]

My least favorite? The W124. I don’t know why but the W124 (along with the W201) are for me some of the ugliest and most bland Mercedes’ around. I’ve never been able to properly explain why I dislike the W124.

Shut up!

 

[WAND]

Should definitely consider one, or take one out for a test drive, mechanically the W211 are very solid.

After W211, W212 seems to me like C class...
Far better solid built, ride and overall quality - W211, hands down.
I don't like what Merc tends to do, sacrifice comfort in favor of sporty and stiff ride.
For me, Mercedes is when ride quality is like on the clouds, other don't.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

After W211, W212 seems to me like C class...
Far better solid built, ride and overall quality - W211, hands down.
I don't like what Merc tends to do, sacrifice comfort in favor of sporty and stiff ride.
For me, Mercedes is when ride quality is like on the clouds, other don't.

No way. The W211 was beautiful and finely finished, but the W212 felt like an absolute tank compared to it. I agree the refinement of the internal finishes was superior on the W211. But in terms of build it was not in the class of the W212.

We owned our E320 W211 for about 4 years and had numerous mechanical and build issues. We had our W212 for 7 years and it proved faultless from start to end, save for a small hiccup with the A/c system that was easily resolved.

 

[Monster]

No way. The W211 was beautiful and finely finished, but the W212 felt like an absolute tank compared to it. I agree the refinement of the internal finishes was superior on the W211. But in terms of build it was not in the class of the W212.

We owned our E320 W211 for about 4 years and had numerous mechanical and build issues. We had our W212 for 7 years and it proved faultless from start to end, save for a small hiccup with the A/c system that was easily resolved.

Interesting, what went wrong on your E320 and was it a 1st year built car?

 

[WAND]

No way. The W211 was beautiful and finely finished, but the W212 felt like an absolute tank compared to it. I agree the refinement of the internal finishes was superior on the W211. But in terms of build it was not in the class of the W212.

We owned our E320 W211 for about 4 years and had numerous mechanical and build issues. We had our W212 for 7 years and it proved faultless from start to end, save for a small hiccup with the A/c system that was easily resolved.

I owned W211 for about 5 years, no problems.
W212 for about 2,5 years , with 70.000km on clock, front shocks absorber replaced at waranty.
W211 with 180.000km, still more comfortable than one year old W212.
Ok, W212 was in AMG pack, but with 16" rims, like W211.
Artico leather on the seat, not durable at all.
All in all, W211 was a way more superior car than W212, in my experience.
W212 has better brakes, more sporty oriented, but in terms of suspension comfort, W211 is a S class compared to W212.
W212 is more fancy, modern, but W211 is a car for W212, for me. When some W212 would be ready for recycling, W211 will still be in driving condition.
W211 was 320cdi, W212 220cdi, water pump leaks, at new car ( common problem for 220cdi engine ), Delphi fuel injectors ( i had not problem with it, but they replaced it for free ), brake pads on 10.000km, poor experience with W212, truly.
But I compare car to car, I was fully satisfied with w211, but that's not case with w212, I was disappointed.
It was nice car for eye, to see it, but like car, it wasn't worth one wheel of W211, my thoughts.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Interesting, what went wrong on your E320 and was it a 1st year built car?

We took delivery in 2003 if I'm not mistaken. We had multiple issues with the A/c system failing, a shimmy developed through the steering/suspension which was never resolved (airmatic), transmission shifting issues which they tried to resolve with software updates and numerous trim rattles from time to time. It was a beautiful looking and beautifully finished vehicle plagued by ongoing niggling issues. We sold it just as the warranty drew to an end as we didn't wish to risk thousands of dollars worth of maintenance.

Our W212 was bulletproof to the end and felt as solidly screwed together at the end of the 7 years as it did the day we bought it, i.e like a brick shit house so to speak. The ride on our AMG equipped car was quite poor relative to the W211 and very tyre choice and tyre pressure sensitive, but handling was on another level as was steering feel. Some of the interior plastics, while extremely solid and hard wearing, did lack refinement in the grain. But the interior looked as good as new at the end of our ownership.

Amazing how our and @Wands ownership experiences varied so greatly. I guess it really can come down to production years, engine choice and specification in determining ultimate satisfaction.

 

[Monster]

We took delivery in 2003 if I'm not mistaken. We had multiple issues with the A/c system failing, a shimmy developed through the steering/suspension which was never resolved (airmatic), transmission shifting issues which they tried to resolve with software updates and numerous trim rattles from time to time. It was a beautiful looking and beautifully finished vehicle plagued by ongoing niggling issues. We sold it just as the warranty drew to an end as we didn't wish to risk thousands of dollars worth of maintenance.

My friend got one of the first 03 E320 in the country, a few months into the ownership, the SBC failed and pretty much the brakes went out. The car also had a few random issues. He sold it ASAP. So far the command unit in our 05 car is giving us some problems, and I just started to hear a faint rattle coming from the top of the dash. Given the age of the car it is holding up extremely well compare to the W205...

As for interior quality of the W211, the one major issue I have are those rotary controls for the air con unit, they were incredibly cheap and flimsy. Thankfully MB solved that in the W212.

Amazing how our and @Wands ownership experiences varied so greatly. I guess it really can come down to production years, engine choice and specification in determining ultimate satisfaction.

Indeed, I really hope our 18 built W213 is just as good as the W211.

 

[Monster]

Also I am actually seeing more W211 on the road than the W212, which is a nice surprise.

 

[Serpens]

We took delivery in 2003 if I'm not mistaken. We had multiple issues with the A/c system failing, a shimmy developed through the steering/suspension which was never resolved (airmatic), transmission shifting issues which they tried to resolve with software updates and numerous trim rattles from time to time. It was a beautiful looking and beautifully finished vehicle plagued by ongoing niggling issues. We sold it just as the warranty drew to an end as we didn't wish to risk thousands of dollars worth of maintenance.

Our W212 was bulletproof to the end and felt as solidly screwed together at the end of the 7 years as it did the day we bought it, i.e like a brick shit house so to speak. The ride on our AMG equipped car was quite poor relative to the W211 and very tyre choice and tyre pressure sensitive, but handling was on another level as was steering feel. Some of the interior plastics, while extremely solid and hard wearing, did lack refinement in the grain. But the interior looked as good as new at the end of our ownership.

Amazing how our and @Wands ownership experiences varied so greatly. I guess it really can come down to production years, engine choice and specification in determining ultimate satisfaction.

Your experience is pretty consistent with the reliability records of the two models, in the U.S. at least. The early/mid-2000's were just not a good time for reliability in German cars.

 

[WAND]

My E320 was also 2003, but diesel.
They replaced SBC also on my car, for free, but I haven't problem with it.
Car was out of warranty at that period.
Common problem for W211 was SBC and SRS Airbag foil in passenger seat.
That foil service replaced me also for free, but that was "gift" from the boss of the service, where I maintan all my Mercs.
Maybe I would be more satisfied with W212 if it was E350d, for sure...
Less problems, better engine.

 

[Monster]

Taken at a friend's carpark. Washed and cleaned after the road trip a few weeks ago.

Looking at replacing the wheels, after 13 years, they are showing a lot of damage from curbing and wear and tear. Maybe those 17" in the same style, or 18" multi spokes, or these.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Drove and owned a 2006 W211 E320cdi avant-garde. Had it only from fall 2005 until july 2006 (a tad over 68.000 km driven), but have it still in good memory. No problems whatsoever and always a good car to park in front of clients Offices or driveways; never offensive. Should have kept it longer...

 

[Monster]

Drove and owned a 2005 W211 E320cdi avant-garde. Had it only from fall 2005 until july 2006 (a tad over 68.000 km driven), but have it still in good memory. No problems whatsoever and always a good car to park in front of clients Offices or driveways; never offensive. Should have kept it longer...

Very nice, what color was it in? Should have kept it for 13 years

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Very nice, what color was it in? Should have kept it for 13 years

Obsidian black, black nappaleather. If I had done that, it would have driven around 895.000 km by now just about ready to get a nice parkinglot at the MB museum.

 

[Monster]

Obsidian black, black nappaleather. If I had done that, it would have driven around 895.000 km by now just about ready to get a nice parkinglot at the MB museum.

Very nicely spec. I am still amazed by the mileage you do every year! I am sure the W211 will last the distance.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Very nicely spec. I am still amazed by the mileage you do every year! I am sure the W211 will last the distance.

The engine would have, no doubt. It was the 3.226 cm3 inline six by the way. So, l’histoire se répète, there’s an inline six available again.