Rover 75 v Merc E class. Anyone had both?
 

I love my 75 but always wanted a Merc E class Elegance (with the walnut dash).

I'll be losing a bit on mpg and the cost of tyres but I was wondering what the whole ownership experience is like.

Never owned a Merc but i really love their interior! The one of the E class elegance with creme interior + walnut dash looks very good indeed.

However there is no interior nicer than the S class with creme interior + walnut dash. (except for super cars etc.)

Had a CLK Elegance which was absolutely delightful and a lovely place to be in the cabin. Much nicer than the Avantgarde, although there were far more Avantgardes produced than the Elegance for some reason :shrug:

Will definitely have another as my next car:}

Mike

I presume the CLK and E class are similar to drive? How do they compare to a 75 CDT Connie SE Mike?

When I was at work,I had a Mercedes E240,it was a wonderful car,so comfy and stylish,had all the toys and grey leathers seats,do I miss it.of course I do,but now funds are more limited, the Rover 75 is my comfort in retirement.

The Mercedes in my opinion was the better car of the 2:}

I guess there would be similarities, Jonathan - the Mercedes was an absolute pleasure to drive, very nimble and sure footed. And, if I am allowed to say it on this forum, a far superior drive to the 75:o

Mike

Watch out for rust, yes really! Mechanically they are tough but parts are pricey.

A merc does feel special and in my opinion is a little more classy than a BMW.

You're right about the rust - I'm pretty sure that they improved the situation after about 2005 model year.

Mike

I had the older E class, a 300E and it was a pleasure to drive. Really roomy inside compared to the 75 (that I bought to replace it). If a Merc will rust anywhere it'll be the front wings so beware if it has those nice shiny chrome trims on the arches.

I loved everything about it apart from the mpg figures which is why I went to diesel. I still miss it but love my 75 too.

It was the ones from the late 90s to early noughties that had rust issues, it really damaged Mercs reputation, apparently it was reclaimed Russian steel or something?

The Cdi engines seem to last forever and buy an automatic.

Yes, mine was a 270 CDI - definitely automatic :}

Mike

Rover 75 v Merc E class. Anyone had both?
 

I've a 2009 e220 auto, but no walnut I'm afraid.😪
Lovely to drive, if your not into trashing around the corners. Bit like a big comfy barge.😁
Much comfier & quieter (inside) than both my 75,s.
However, it sounds like a tractor outside.😄
My normal drives are approx 100 miles at a time.
The merc averages 45, the auto tourer -43, the manual saloon-48. All brim to brim.
The merc is no harder on tyres than the 75 imo, having just got 26k out of a set of (tbc???), and still had at least 2 or 3mm of thread.
I'm only just getting back in the merc, (doesn't like white stuff), having driven the 75 saloon all winter.
It's a nice place to be.👌
That said, I had a 2004 e270 about 9 or 10 year ago, which was better again, more smoother & refined, as it was a 5 cylinder.
Do plenty of reading, as, like the rover, they can all have their problems.
Pre 2008/2009, will be significantly less efficient for mpg.
Also, mine has the OM651 engine, which can be prone to timing chain issues, costing over £1k, to fix, if what I've read is correct.😱😱.


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Rover 75 v Merc E class. Anyone had both?
 

Also worth noting, that the cdi autos, (2000-2003ish), were prone to torque converter failure, due to glycol contamination, if fitted with valeo oil coolers.
There was a fault with the valeos, that leaked coolant from the shared oil / transmission fluid cooler block. Coolant could leak into the transmission fluid and....bad things happen.😩
I say "ish" because although widely reported to be just 2000-2003 models, mine was an early 2004 which suffered the same fate.😞.
Knackered torque converter, poorly replaced..was the demise of me & Mercedes for about 10 years.😪😪.
(Well, excluding the 1976, w114 250,
Which doesn't see much in the way way of real driving these days).

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Thanks guys. It would seem the consensus of opinion amongst those with 75 and Merc E class experience is that the Merc is a nicer place to be, a nicer drive and generally smoother and quieter ride. In a nut shell, exactly what I am looking for: all my work driving is between 1 and 4 hour journeys, and runs of 25 to 200 miles at a time on A roads and motorways. I think it's time to look at Merc Es.
Are they as reliable and cost effective to own as the 75s?

I would guess that the key here is service history. You really need to find one that has been loved by its previous owner(s). Find the right car and it will serve you well. I didn't have to spend anything on it (other than an oil service) whilst in my ownership. And the 270 CDI engine was very quiet indeed.

Mike

Wheel arches used to rapidly turn into colanders on early ones. After the facelift they got better although not, in my opinion, as good as a properly maintained 75. The 3.2 is a lovely drive though.

What age of car are you looking at?

I've had a 2000 E320cdi saloon and it was a great car.

However, it is in no way a DIY repair/maintenance prospect - everything has to be done the MB way...

Had to have a new dash on mine as gauges not working properly - fitted at a (cheaper) independent but nobody told me that I needed to get it to a stealer before reaching 300 miles on the odometer (at that point they lock and the mileage cannot be reset) to get the correct mileage entered.

Also, the straight 6 diesels are known for becoming very firmly attached to their injectors - head off job to remove same.

Oh, and new headlamps cost over £160!

The ones I am looking at 2003-07/08, so not the rusty ones.
I'm only looking at diesels, because of the mileage I do, and probably the E220 or E270.

They will cost more to fix and maintain than a 75 but find a local merc specialist, as said many times find one that's been properly maintained even if it's done high miles.

I wish I had known, last week we took in and sold a 1 owners E200 auto done 36000 miles and it was mint. 1.8 supercharged but still did late 30s on a run.

I own a '12 W212 E220 manual ( sadly ). It is more roomy inside and it is more quiet in the cabin. I have the black leader interior with polished aluminium trim. It is ok but thats it. The interior is booring, just pieces of plasting bound together. It has no charm. I wish I had keyless entry in my 75 :(

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Why do you say "sadly"?

Polished aluminium trim sounds like the trim I had in a C180 Classic in 2006. The Es that I'm looking at are the Elegance level with Walnut, and very much not boring, IMHO anyway.

Black modern mercedes with many options and a MANUAL gearbox it is lame. I hate it. The only reason I bought it in the first place was that it had optional extras

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Ah well! wouldn't have been any use to me, I'm after a diesel. I had the 1.8 supercharges petrol in my C180. It was a good engine but only averaged about 34mpg over 40k miles.

Oh dear! I know what you mean about modern cars, that's why I'm not stretching myself to a newer one.

This is the sort of thing I'm looking at http://www.gbcarsalesleicester.co.uk...010.1468145189

Go for the facelift one if u can. They have more reliable gearbox and more standard equipment + modern 3.0 engine ( replacing 3.2 )

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In that case, you may find this link useful. http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar...ass-w211-2002/

Not an e class but I have a facelift C class 250 with a mapped ecu in amg trim and a 6 speed manual.

It replaced our R75 contemporary and I love the car. There are differences but the more modern technology makes it a much better car in my eyes.

We average 47 mpg(actual) from a 250 BHP car. The interior is also a nice place to sit.

Things I miss from the R75

Sunroof
Folding rear seat
Memory seats (not fitted to my model)

I still have the ZT 190 though for that MGR urge:drool4:

I would recommend Mercs as replacements all day long bit I am now biased:D

Had the 250d eclass 1993 190d and the 320 petrol. Only problem was the high service cost but could be fixed in the desert with a hammer and screw driver. Ride was ok but not what i could call brilliant. The merc did 45000 before it was going to cost over 3000 for an automatic box and break service. Now have the rover 75d 2002 which i find more comfortable and have done over 10000 in the last two months with no problem just put diesel in and have over 50mpg. A lot more refined than the Merc. You have to keep driving them and will have no problem if you do regular oil change. Also use ex rover garage or a member to service it. The only spare I Carry is the ubp in the boot. Plenum can be a bit of a hassle but have done a mod on the air grill near the wipers had no problems and put a couple of shots of redex in the tank. Just on the way to spain again.

Well, I have agonised over this for a week or 2 now and don't think I'm much nearer making a decision, 75 or E class. After totting up all that needs doing to mine now I'm looking at c£900 in parts and a remap. And then I'll have to fit all the parts as well.
On the other hand I could buy soming like this http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...to=5500&page=1
:duh: I don't know what to do.

This article about car social class and car choice, suggests that driving a Mercedes and its 'Coolness' went up last year, but to watch out for being mistaken for a chauffeur ;)

Audi drivers should not read the article, apologies ;)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...ial-class.html

I've been thinking of a Volvo V70 estate as an interim for the next few years. Ultimately I would like a Jaguar Sportbrake to replace my Omega estate.

Geography teacher or a suspect individual...hmm....:}

If you get the Jag Maninder, you'll never have to pay for anything again.
" I'm sorry, I seem to have left my wallet in the Jaaaaag":cool::D

£900 in parts :eek: what on earth are you planning to do to your car :shrug:

After speaking to you, I would cross off a stainless steel exhaust from any list you've made, as you will never be happy with the sound it makes ;)

Brian :D

Get the merc. You could always keep yours and potter around with it at weekends as a hobby.

mss, I was looking at the Jaguar XF.......until I read Jims thread on the Social forum. that and the fact that my daughter in law has just got a brand new Jaguar EX that sounds like an old tractor and feels as well screwed together as an MFI kitchen has put me off. The body side trim fell off her new jag the other day: she has only had the car a month.:duh:

Hi Brian, good to speak to you the other day.
I need:
* 2 new lower suspension arms = £180
* a new master cylinder = £90
* lower engine mount = £40
* Full exhaust = £400
* 160 Remap = £140 (I wonder where I could get that done :D)
* 4 wheel tracking = £60

The lower arms are knocking like mad.
The clutch bites 1/2" from the floor and needs topping up
The lower mount is knackered and has knackered the exhaust flex
see above and the back box is blowing
My bum makes a squeeky noise when I pull out of side roads
The handling is shot and it trashing the outside edge of, otherwise good tyres.

Oh yes! and I need to fit a tow bar (I've got 2 of those but I find they work best when fitted to the back of the car). :D

So do you think that you won't have to spend anything on the Mercedes once you've bought it? You may be mistaken.

I don't think I'll be mistaken: I'm not fool enough to think that of any car. But there comes a point when money spent on repairs could be better spent on a "change". And i don't think that spending money on my 75 will mean I won't have to spend money on it in the future. I've alway liked the E Class cabin. Maybe now is the right time.

Which ever way I go, I won't be parting with my 75 Connie. I'll keep the 75 locked away.

To be honest, for a long time I have not bought a car based on what my head may say. My decisions have always followed my heart. That will be the case with the Sportbrake. As Ronnie implies above, a Jaaaag says something about the man.

I've been thinking of a Volvo V70 with the 2.4 D5 engine in the interim for the simple reason that it is a 5-cylinder diesel and makes nice noise. This thread got me thinking about the E-Class as an alternative and this afternoon I went to look at a 54 E270 Avantgarde with just under 150k miles. I have to say that it is a very nice car. Yet, in terms of rust protection around the wheelarches, it is way inferior to the 75 or indeed the 45.

Yet I may still consider it an a replacement for the Omega until I get my Sportbrake.

It is indeed a nice place to sit. Did you take a test drive? What was it like in terms of feel and noise etc.

The 270 CDI engine in my CLK was very quiet and super-responsive, and if you like wood trim, go for the Elegance. As I commented earlier, service history is king, especially Main Dealer - it is more than worth the extra cost you might have to pay:}

Mike

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my neighbour last year ..... "why are you always tinkering with that "old" Rover, if you got a decent car like mine you would not have to bother"!

Yes, he had an E class Merc, after some more chatting I found out that he spent between £1000 to £1500 every year with the local Merc main dealer having it serviced and Mot'd.

Her had a cracked washer bottle and was weeping out fluid, it cost him just over £500 parts and labour + vat to have it replaced.

Some people seem to forget that ..........

Until things begin to go wrong, and they will, then the pain will start, lots of pain, main dealer prices are suicide inducing.... be warned!.
But at the end of the day it's up to the individual

Had mine three years - other than servicing at a Mercedes specialist, no faults whatever. But then, all marques produce some cars that never go wrong, others are never out of the workshop and, after 30 years in the motor trade, I can speak with some knowledge of this:}

Mike

I did take the car for a test drive - leisurely through some villages and on a 70MPH road. It drives very well - very stately and with a useful amount of power in the 177bhp E270. Noise wise, I would say it was roughly on par with our 75 CDT. However, I have spent over £5k on the 75 replacing many running components since purchase 4 years ago so it is perhaps not a like-for-like comparison.

The cabin on the E-Class is very light and airy - very much like our Omega estate. It is well put together with no trim creaks etc.

Overall, I would be pleased to own and drive one. Equally, the 75 does not in any way feel inferior given that it was intended to be a C-Class equvalent car.

I agree about the service history given the complexity of the car and the cost of repairs etc. I generally tend to buy my cars at the upper end of the price range in order to get better than average condition and service history. The E270 that I viewed has 13 service stamps over 145k miles/12 years, with the first 10 from an MB official dealer and the other three from a MB independent specialist.

I am thinking about this one, but one thing I am certain about is that, it would be easier to write-off an E-class than a 75 on the basis of the cost of repairs not making sense when the car is say 15+ years of age.

I have a e320 cdi 2008 sport model which Mrs cossie Dunc uses as her daily transport

They are a cracking thing, loads of luxury, loads of toys and most importantly loads of torque:D:D

They also handle the miles really well, mine has just touched 245k!!! And it runs like a Swiss watch, it's been all over the world and back:cool:

I don't need to tell you how good my 75 is also;)

Good luck whatever you decide

I must admit I do like Mercedes and Jaguar's Cars.

Mercedes wise a 500SL or Jaguar XJ up to 2008 as I prefer the older looking shape.:}

I've spotted this http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...=Estate&page=2
and it ticks most of the boxed. Its got a FSH, leather, a sun roof and a towbar. The dealer gets the thumbs up on Autotrader too.
It doesn't have heated seats or electric memory seats, both of which I have in the 75 but I only use the memory function.

It's a tough one though. Time to make plans to go see it.

The W211 is a decent car. The W210 is most certainly not.

That does look very nice. Are you intending to go and test drive?

Here is the one that I went to see/test drive, which I really liked. Being of a darker colour myself, the lighter colour cars and cream interior complement myself rather nicely.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2224161563...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

It only has one key and a replacement one has to be purchased for £245 direct from MB.

I have done quite a lot of research over the last 24 hours and have decided to wait for a 2007 or later car in the right colour/interior combination. My rationale is as follows:

1. I will want to replace discs and pads plus have a full service B done straight after purchase which will cost over £700 using genuine parts at the local MB specialist independent. This by itself is fine.

2. Early W211 were fitted with a radiator that corroded internally and allowed coolant to enter the auto box. There is a risk that a car may have suffered from such failure in the past and could lead to very expensive repairs in the future.

3. Until 2006, W211 were fitted with a revolutionary SBC braking system that was quite problematic and lead to three recalls. Beyond that, it has a certain lifespan, in terms of the number of brake activations, and requires a counter reset on the MB diagnostic system. But, the failure rate on the pump has been rather high to the extent that up until 2012, MB were replacing them FOC as a "goodwill gesture". Now, the owner has to pay and the cost is around £1k for the pump plus £300 labour. This system was removed from the e-class from 2006 onwards, although I believe it continues to be used on the S-class.

4. Pre-2005 cars can suffer from premature wheel arch rust problems.

Taking all of the above into account, from my perspective, a late 2004 car will not have enough years of life left to justify buying the car and then having the prospect of spending another £2k on the braking system and possibly a similar amount on the gearbox in the worst case scenario.

I have decided to stick with my Omega until a 2008/9 e-class becomes available in the right colour combination.

I hope the above does not dampen your enthusiasm but may provide something to take into account when deciding whether to go ahead and buy one.

Mrs C-D clearly has class. Having seen the photograph, I would have thought that her daily transport would be an SLK.:}

Mss........that made me laugh, she says she doesn't like 2 door cars:shrug:

Keeping on topic;).....here is a pic of her e class :D:D like her it's very pretty:D

Well, I went to see http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...to=5500&page=1 and it was very nice. To be honest it drove and handled like a new car, which is amazing considering it's done 178k. The only issue is the engine sounded a bit rough. It want as smooth as the 75 CDT. :duh: This could be just down to grubby injectors though. I spoke to the garage that has looked after it for the last 6 years and he says it has wanted for nothing and always passed the emission test first time. The only issue he knows the car to have is it needs a new exhaust back box. That could be the cause of the extra noise .....and I still dont know what to do. :duh:

The engine in mine sounded a bit rough when it was new....and still does! I don't think Mercedes make the smoothest sounding diesel's however they do tend to be powerful and economical so I can live with that.
To be honest if you're in 2 minds I'd be inclined to spend the money getting your car up-to-scratch rather then changing it for another one that might also need money spending on it. I spent around £1100 refreshing the ZT which I think was money well spent and certainly better value then my current car. That said in the end I fancied a change hence I'm now a merc owner.

I will say the Mercedes is a good replacement for the 75, they feel special in the same way the Rover did whereas I found the likes of the BMW's and Audi's felt a little too functional and more like appliances if that makes sense.