Mercedes E Class

[Hazzar]

I am thinking of buying a Mercedes E Class 320 diesel estate it is a 3.2 auto has any one towed with one of these are they a good tow car. My caravan would be 85% of the cars kirb weight i would just like to know how it would perform help please

 

[PaulN]

I cant speak of that specific model, but I tow with a 350cdi at about the same ratio and have no problems - except the fuel bills! Solo up to 40mpg and towing up to 28.

Its much better then my previous tugs (2.5 Allroad and 2.0 passat) and almost as economical as the passat when towing.

Are you sure the 320 is a 3.2 as the 350 I drive is actually a 3.0 litre, but lots of torque

 

[Hazzar]

You could be right it may be a 30ltr thank you for the feed back is your stable enough as a tow car ?

 

[PaulN]

I find it very stable - it helps that mine has the self levelling suspension so the attitude of the van is predictable. It also has a reasonable towbar limit of 85kg.

 

[RobKnapp2]

I havent towed with it personally, but the mother in law has a E240 petrol. In her words, she would rather tow the horsebox with that as opposed to the L200, the L200 is used basically due to the 4x4 and additional weight, obviously wanting the tug to be heavier than the trailer. I have driven it, and I must say, for a 140,000 mile car that is 13 years old, its a fabulous drive and is still well put together without age related rattles. I dont think it has been hideously expensive to maintain either - I seem to recall a set of front brake pads being cheaper than my Ford Escort at the time! Depending on age, only thing I think is a point to note is that the W210 range has had problems with corrosion.
Cheers
Rob

 

[RayS]

I have a Eclass 220 cdi towing a Burstner 1500 kg (and then some). Absolutely no problems even compared with the ML 270 4x4 I had before. A friend tows with an E class 320 cdi and compalains that his licence is at risk as it it so eary to get up into the 70 mph area without even realising it. The car is low compared with most 4x4 and the traction on snow is not wonderful. But solo I get nearly 50 mpg on long fast runs - 59mph average over 200 miles and 49 mpg.. Service costs on a 320 will be much more than on the 220 - 6 cylinders not 4, big sump and expensive oil changes. My 2.2 has been cheaper to maintain over 4 years than either the ML or the previous Disco and is easily the best car I have had in 67 years of driving. It is the W211 model, not the current shape. late model 211 are highly regarded - see www.honestjohn.co.uk etc. I am above 85% ratio but you wouldn't know it. Consumption depends on how much hurry I'm in and crucially how much wind and from which direction realtive to towing. Millenco giant Aero mirrors fit the door mirros well and stay stable even in strong cross winds. You need to watch the nose weight - book limit will probably be 85 kilos and i would not go much above this. If it does not have Xenon headlights it shoudl have dashboard up/down adjustments - put it on full down and you can tolerate a little 'nose up'.

Check the service history carefully. If you are lucky this will have been an 'executive' company car which will have been well maintained even though it may be high mileage. Remember the E class is a very common taxi in Europe and often does extreme mileages.. Check that everything works electrically. If it has built in satnav this will most likely be out of date and not wonderful. Updates are by very expensive CD and are not caravan friendly - better forget it and buy a Tom Tom or Snooper. Assuming it is or soon will be out of warranty forget the main dealers and look at the local specialists. Look at www.mercedesclub.org.uk website to join Mercedes Owners and or to find local specialist. Most use genuine MB parts but have much lower labour rates..
The Tiptronic auto box is a joy. You can over-ride it by tapping the lever sideways, hold a low ratio on particularly difficult roads or use engine breaking on long downhills. There should be cruise control and separate speed limiter function - most cars have only the former. Make sure you get the instruction books and set aside a long quiet afternoon to absorb them.

you will have gathered, I'm a fan (and I only have a 2.2). Let me know if there is anything else you would like to knwo, but I would have very little hesitation and only based on the particular car not the idea in general

 

[RayS]

Correction to previous posting - 57 not 67 years driving - it just seems that way.