E350 AMG CDI wagon

[Gavin]

Hi, after some advice please, a rather lovely E class estate has popped up locally and I have taken a deposit on the Bongo so hoping it is away in the next few days.

The Merc does not have a towbar and I would want one. Does anyone know if they need to be coded to Mercedes?

It has a 7g gearbox, has anyone had one or the engine in a similar car and give me some real world info?

[Matty]

It has a 7g gearbox, has anyone had one or the engine in a similar car and give me some real world info?

Is it the 7g or 7g plus?

[16vCento]

I test drove one of these before I got my XF and they are a nice quiet place to spend time.

If you want something thats fun to drive though look elsewhere, they don't handle and it felt pretty weak for the engine size. The 535 and the XF both felt markedly stronger.

They seem to be reliable though from the research I did, only issues seem to be on ones that aren't looked after, Nox sensors are 300 quid a pop for parts alone and that seems to be the most common thing on 2011-13 ones I was looking at.

The gearbox is smooth in them when warm, but the changes were noticeable when cold in the one I tried, felt quick enough to change gear in manual mode.

Oh, and they have a VERY large boot if thats a consideration!

Edit sorry missed towbar, I was going to get a Witter and fit it myself, detachable was about 260 quid, electrics need coding at a dealer.

[Gavin]

It has a 7g gearbox, has anyone had one or the engine in a similar car and give me some real world info?

Is it the 7g or 7g plus?

7 G-tronic according to the spec sheet.

Just been for s hot, it is like new, despite being higher miles. Gearchange was seamless even in -1temps from cold.

I will phone a Merc dealer to enquire about coding costs, I have seen £70 mentioned in a few paces. Hopefully not much more and the guy has offered to knock the whole cost off the asking price anyway.

Not worried about driving dynamics, big comfy cruiser that can tow and take a load of kit. It has plenty of urge for overtakes and should average over 40mpg so totally happy with that.

[16vCento]

Yeah it will make a great family car, they feel very well put together as well.

[Gavin]

Yeah it will make a great family car, they feel very well put together as well.

Cheers, fingers crossed the Bongo goes this week and I can snap this up.

[Simon]

Jobbo used to have that engine combo in his old C Class. I have the 7G in my C Class too, although petrol. 7G can be a little slow to downshift but otherwise it's typical smooth Merc fair.

[integrale_evo]

Doesn’t have to be a dealer, but would need a specialist who has access to the Mercedes star diagnostics system.

[integrale_evo]

Our petrol clk has a 7g and it’s fine, other than a £700 bill to change the speed sensors which was annoying as it had been pampered and done less than 40k miles.

Can give the occasional jolt coming to a stop, and can be a noticeable delay when you plant it before it drops a gear or four but most of the time it feels pretty responsive and direct. Bare in mind it’s the only auto I’ve driven more than a couple of miles in so don’t have a lot to compare it to.

The manual modes are pointless, it’ll still drop down if it thinks you’re using too much throttle, and will still change up at higher revs. Unless you want a little engine braking it’s rarely ever used.

[Matty]

The 7G I had in my Merc was fine. It's a little slow, and as mentioned, manual mode is pointless but for cruising/daily stuff it did the job.

But, good maitainence is key. Should be serviced every 40k. It can be clunky when cold and may jolt when coming to a sto, but otherwise should be smooth.

Mechatronic failures aren't entirely unknown, but they're around £600 to fix. Mine just completely shit itself and cost a little more* than that, but that's extremely rare.

[Jobbo]

Jobbo used to have that engine combo in his old C Class. I have the 7G in my C Class too, although petrol. 7G can be a little slow to downshift but otherwise it's typical smooth Merc fair.

I have that combo in my CLS too - it might be 7G-plus in this one, and the fuel rail is 2000psi not 1800, but it’s basically the same. I’d never know the difference if I wasn’t a spec nerd.

Good choice; I reckon by far the most reliable of the German mid-size cars of the era.

[Gavin]

Thanks everyone. If the Merc is still there when the Bongo goes, I will be having it. It has just had new brakes and tyres and a lot spent renewing the air suspension and has clearly been loved. If I was being picky the wheels could do with a refurb but from 6 feet they are spot on.

I am fairly sure that it will be a better auto RWD combo than the Bongo with 3 speeds and an overdrive!

[McSwede]

They are nice motors to waft along in great comfort. Hope you bag it!!

[Gavin]

They are nice motors to waft along in great comfort. Hope you bag it!!

When a diesel estate is the most EVO car you've had in a decade.....

[McSwede]

They are nice motors to waft along in great comfort. Hope you bag it!!

When a diesel estate is the most EVO car you've had in a decade.....

Sometimes life and family get in the way

[Gavin]

They are nice motors to waft along in great comfort. Hope you bag it!!

When a diesel estate is the most EVO car you've had in a decade.....

Sometimes life and family get in the way

Very true. The Merc seems like a better car than any I have owned. I love my old Swedes but the Merc seems a fair cut above tbf. It was over £50k new though so I guess it should be nice.

[V8Granite]

Thanks everyone. If the Merc is still there when the Bongo goes, I will be having it. It has just had new brakes and tyres and a lot spent renewing the air suspension and has clearly been loved. If I was being picky the wheels could do with a refurb but from 6 feet they are spot on.

I am fairly sure that it will be a better auto RWD combo than the Bongo with 3 speeds and an overdrive!

The air suspension is lovely and makes a noticeable difference on these, especially when towing as it will sit perfectly.

Good choice.

Dave!

[Foz]

The 350d is the equivalent of the bmw *30d not the 35/40d by the way..

Had one for 10 years, good smooth engine and box. No complaints

[Jobbo]

The 350d is the equivalent of the bmw *30d not the 35/40d by the way..

Had one for 10 years, good smooth engine and box. No complaints

Depends - the post-facelift W204 C350d made 265bhp, contemporary 330d made 245bhp and 335d made 286bhp. They're not directly equivalent.

[Foz]

Yeah, the 300d/350d mercs are both single turbo. The BMW 35/40d being twin. Talking F10 era 5’er comparisons btw.0

The much newer Merc 400d’s are twin turbo.