Prodigy_G60

I have been on the E55 kick and search for a while. I have spent the last year+ searching and reading this forum to gain as much info into these cars as I can. I obviously would prefer the W211.


My question is how big of a difference is the separation between the two generations. Yes I know the technical specs and the speed differences but what I am asking is the seat of the pants test. Local there is a W210, one owner with records that I would grab in cash and be done. Or should I hold out for the right W211? I would most likely ended up financing a little for a W211 which is something I hate to do. I would really love the get the car 2319 is selling but again I hate the idea of owing banks money. I have college loans for that.


Please don't smash a newbie here. Just asking you opinions of whether or not the W210 is a good starting point or if I should just go all in.


Also aware of the bias by posting on this side of the forum.

cdd

They are not even in the same area code. Total, complete difference.

Pony up the extra bucks for the 211.

I had a C55 (same powerplant as the 210) and the difference is night and day. And the E55 guys will still say I don't 'really' know because I got the E63

E55Freak

go with a 211, you are already way ahead as far as power goes. a 360ish hp vs 470ish hp car is pretty significant....

CharlyE500

I have both W210 and W211. The W210 is more reliable... nothing can really go wrong basically. Other than valve gasket seal $250 and fuel filter $100.
From 0-40mph they are about the same but after 40mph W211 is faster.

I find W210 is more comfortable if you drive a lot of freeway and much better MPG. (400 road trip I can get 27MPG ! Driving approx 65mph)
W211 only get me 20-21mpg in the same 400 miles trip. They are both very nice car, W210 you can get a good one for $10K and W211 $18K to $20K.

Also remember W211 fuel sender/filter is very expensive when times to change. I would say $1K maintenance fee for W210 and $2K for W211 per year. BTW, I have CLK55 and W210 is just FASTER even with the same engine.... don't know why.

Good luck !

e500slr

How can you compare the 2!! See the W212 was an evolution from the W211 whereas the W211 was a quantum leap from the W210. I dare anybody to tell me the W211 interior is dated, I actually prefer it to the W212 and I've sat in the W212 multiple times. The W210 is a very nice car, very sexy and a classic but it is DATED and simply doesn't compare to the W211. Just put a facelifted (E63 style) W211 next to a W210, it's night and day.

55fanatic

W211 E55 was a game changer for Benz. Its what put AMG on the map. The W210 was a nice car, but it kind of ends there

Prodigy_G60

Thanks for responses guys. By no means was I trying to compare the two Apples to apples cause they are not. Was just seeing what thoughts on if the w211 was that much better to justify the cost differences. I guess I will just look to find the right w211.

What is the actual market value for a 04+ with around 70k or under? I have seen a couple threads where guys say the picked one up for $15-17. I just can't seem to find any that cheap. I don't want the cheapest because that means the most problems. Just trying to guage what the market is. 20k-ish

Enigma94

Honestly drive both and decide for yourself if having a car loan is worth the difference between the two. Nobody else will be able to answer that question for you, just give you their perspective in what they would do personally if they were in your situation.

Having said that, I personally could not drive a w210 if I had the option to move up to a 211, even if that meant having a loan on the car. I also had a C55 and drove it daily for a year, it was awesome coming from a ls400 but once I got into my e63 and drove that for a couple months then got back into the c55 I was very unhappy with the power, and the overall characteristics of how that powerplant drove. If you drove both back to back there is NO way you'd opt for the 210.

For an 04-05 with 70-80k I'd expect to pay 17-20 depending on mods/maintenance/records.

Need4Speed

I say W211 hands down

I own one and its a blast

Yacht Master

I have a w210 E430 sport and a w211 E55. I use the E55 around town and the E430 for all long distance travel. Now it is never a good idea to buy anything on credit and that counts double for a car and triple for an AMG. I think the real question is do you want a W211 or a W212? You see, if I was you, I would buy what I can easily afford and start working/saving for the W212 because in my opinion the new twin turbo is worth it.

e500slr

You WILL regret buying a W210 so if you have to save up more for a W211. The difference is MONUMENTAL! I do agree that getting a loan on a car is a bad idea, cars lose value, have problems and depreciate but hey, if you really want it and can manage the repayments then go ahead.

StarvingArtist

If you buy the 210 you still have to buy a 211 someday. Might as well step up and just buy one. Use the money you would have spent on the 210 to trick it out. How's that for logic.

Joncl

If you still have student loans then it's not a time to get a car loan , let alone a car that has high maintenance. Airmatics, transmissions, fuel senders etc. are all things that you need to keep in back of your mind and they go at any time without warning, do a search and you will see. A financial advisor would tell you no in a heart beat on this one. Get yourself a good dependable car that's good on gas and repairs if needed

Shadow5501

+1 if you have to borrow to purchase a w211, then you cannot afford the repairs it may need. Unless you have a spare car or are a very good DIY, you need a couple grand handy to fix a failed airmatic or SBC. if you have to borrow to buy a $15k car, it probably isn't the right car for you now.

Buy the w210 E55, retire those student loans, build some savings, and then you can chase a w211 or w212 AMG.

Prodigy_G60

I have couple other cars so it won't be my only daily. I would just finance just to keep extra liquid around since having a little one. Maintenance is a ***** on these I know that and would not be to worried but what is an example of a true invoice for an airmatic?

True noob question. Why are s55's cheaper and easier to find? Just the fear of maintenance costs since the S is the flagship?

I appreciate the looking out fellas. Cheers

Joncl

Airmatic is 350-400$ a piece but if you get 2 at a time it adds up. Transmission is an easy 1000-2000$, fuel sender are 400-500$ each. These are just examples, IMO if you have other cars no point getting an older car like this to add to expenses since you are out of school. The S series can get nasty with just the abc pump being 1500$

dchl21

s55 is cheap because it looks so outdated. the E still beautiful after all these years.


forget the 210 ... its wayyy too old looking

CharlyE500

Because S55 has ABC suspension system which is very expensive when they fail and they will all fail one day. And the S55 is just too heavy compare to W211. W210 is cheaper, more classic, lighter and low maintenance. W211 better performance but more things can go wrong. Good luck !

lost_wave770

I may be a noob as well on this site, but i have test drove both w210 and w211, and i just had to go with the w211. There is just something about the sound of the SC winding up and then the car turns into a monster. I did my time looking for about 5 months and finally found one that i just had to have. I drove almost 800 miles to pick it up. I love it hands down.

James M

211, but if you are keen on going N/A then why not look at the C55 as an option?
Personally I wanted either a CLK55 or C55, but the right E55 came along in the right colour and I knew I would kick myself later if I didn't take it. The C55 is still a great family car without the airmatic hassles and other niggles that plague the 211 and more up to date looking than the 210.

e500slr

Have you seen the interior on the C55? It looks like someone puked and then an interior was made. From the outside it looks stupid too. When the C63 came it was such a game changer for the C class because the previous ones were ugly dogs. The W211s interior is just perfect, it's such a good design I still smile everyday when I get into it. This interior will NEVER look outdated, ever.

http://media.caranddriver.com/ez/ima...cd_gallery.jpg

https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...ay-1023big.jpg

I rest my case

CharlyE500

C55 actually looks pretty good interior.... just like my 05 CLK55

James M

+1. I like the C55 interior and it fits me like a glove.

cdd

To each their own. I like the C55 interior (don't like the aluminum, but with the wood it's nice) and I think the C63 interior is a flat out embarrassment. You might as well be in a Nissan Sentra. C63 seats are nice, but the dash/instrument panel is terrible.

But yes, the E class interior smokes them both.

Georgee6086

Back in the day I had a 2002 e55 white on two tone light grey/ blk. I put approx 120k on it under 2 years driven every day winter summer and it is the ONLY Mercedes that I have ever owned that gave me NO PROBLEMS at all. Ran a low 13 in the 1/4. Save some money and buy the 211 it is a rocket ship!