Need advice: W211 E200K/E230 or BMW 520/525

[Guest www888]

Hi everyone,

Any advice? E200k now going for $154k. Avangarde trims. E230 $13k more.

BMW 525i $157k but out of stock. 520i $137k only.

Is 2009 MB W211 reliable? Heard many problems esp with electronics? Has MB sorted out the problems?

MB W212 new models coming out soon. But new model suspect will have teething problems.

[Guest angela]

Hi everyone,

Any advice? E200k now going for $154k. Avangarde trims. E230 $13k more.

BMW 525i $157k but out of stock. 520i $137k only.

Is 2009 MB W211 reliable? Heard many problems esp with electronics? Has MB sorted out the problems?

MB W212 new models coming out soon. But new model suspect will have teething problems.

all cars with electronics will face problems now and then...

i dun drive a W211 but i do drive a FL E60 523... let me warn you that the fools in germany didnt insulate the wirings for the idrive properly, so using our sgmerc walkie talkie will cause interference like auto changing your radio channel.

my idrive failed just 2 months old, let me tell you its no fun. however i dun think our members ever such a problem with the w211.

if i am not wrong an E200K + NGT version is 137k after various discounts, i received a letter from c&c...

[Guest funng]

i guess if you're not too in love with the new W212. getting the W211 is a good choice. End of the line, but most major problems would have been sorted out. plus, the price, throw in the AMG kits from C&C(last year, this time, it was 17k, BBK included) and its still lower than the new elegance model of the W212?

no major problems with mine. w211 FL avantgrade, 1 yr old with 50k mileage. only problem so far is water entering the rubber seal on the keyless go buttons on the passenger door.

[Guest Raskie]

i think the W211 E230 is quite a good buy with AMG kit ... that is if you dun mind out-going model ... i think the W211 design will last for many years to come .. after so many years I still do not tire of looking at it ...

W212 will not be cheap when first launched and typically the first batch will need some time to iron out the minor glitches ...

[Guest 9339]

Hi everyone,

Any advice? E200k now going for $154k. Avangarde trims. E230 $13k more.

BMW 525i $157k but out of stock. 520i $137k only.

Is 2009 MB W211 reliable? Heard many problems esp with electronics? Has MB sorted out the problems?

MB W212 new models coming out soon. But new model suspect will have teething problems.

Hi www888, :welcome: to SGMerc.....

Your nick look like a website i often visit... :3some:

Anyway, which model ? Simple choice...

Goes with your heart if you are SINGLE....

Goes with your mrs heart if you're MARRIED......

[Guest east539]

Hi everyone,

Any advice? E200k now going for $154k. Avangarde trims. E230 $13k more.

BMW 525i $157k but out of stock. 520i $137k only.

Is 2009 MB W211 reliable? Heard many problems esp with electronics? Has MB sorted out the problems?

MB W212 new models coming out soon. But new model suspect will have teething problems.

all cars with electronics will face problems now and then...

i dun drive a W211 but i do drive a FL E60 523... let me warn you that the fools in germany didnt insulate the wirings for the idrive properly, so using our sgmerc walkie talkie will cause interference like auto changing your radio channel.

my idrive failed just 2 months old, let me tell you its no fun. however i dun think our members ever such a problem with the w211.

if i am not wrong an E200K + NGT version is 137k after various discounts, i received a letter from c&c...

The NGT model is out of stock now, but for what i know the selling price after green rebate is 134K & with the 10% overtrade base on the new car price before discount/rebate & loan rebate, it is way lower than 134K. it is really a good time to buy the W211 now.

[Guest east539]

i think the W211 E230 is quite a good buy with AMG kit ... that is if you dun mind out-going model ... i think the W211 design will last for many years to come .. after so many years I still do not tire of looking at it ...

W212 will not be cheap when first launched and typically the first batch will need some time to iron out the minor glitches ...

yah, the W211 design will last for a long time, until now i still love it & that is why i getting the FL NGT model. for the W212 until now the more i see the more i no feeling leh, duno why......

[Guest funng]

i think the W211 E230 is quite a good buy with AMG kit ... that is if you dun mind out-going model ... i think the W211 design will last for many years to come .. after so many years I still do not tire of looking at it ...

W212 will not be cheap when first launched and typically the first batch will need some time to iron out the minor glitches ...

yah, the W211 design will last for a long time, until now i still love it & that is why i getting the FL NGT model. for the W212 until now the more i see the more i no feeling leh, duno why......

Personally, I like the curved lines of the W211 and have no preference for the "elegance" trim in W212. the lower stance of the avantgrade model is much more aggressive.

good choice to get the W211, I sure hope you're considering the kits since there's rebates!

but NGT? if i'm not wrong, it will cut the boot space?

[Guest east539]

Personally, I like the curved lines of the W211 and have no preference for the "elegance" trim in W212. the lower stance of the avantgrade model is much more aggressive.

good choice to get the W211, I sure hope you're considering the kits since there's rebates!

but NGT? if i'm not wrong, it will cut the boot space?

yar, the boot space is shorter compare to the non NGT model, but lucky the differences is not much. anyway i did ask the SE if there is avantgrade model available for NGT, but she said no, so no choice as i really want to get the NGT model.

as for the bodykit, i most likely will get MBM to do it for me as i believe their price is better compare to C&C.

[Guest sy69u]

my advise is to get the E200K....... much better then the E200NGT.....

[Guest s3000v]

but price diff is 20k between E200 and E200 NGT, both same engine except different tuning, E200 more power.

[Guest east539]

my advise is to get the E200K....... much better then the E200NGT.....

it is ok, set my mind on the NGT model since my short stay at Munich Germany, drove it & love it. in fact for 1kg = 1L of cng vs petrol, the mileage is 2.5 times or 3 times more compare to petrol. anyway my car is coming out within this few days.

And i believe the terms 'better' shouldn't be accessories & options between the two, actually for the NGT model, i am getting the same amount of accessories/options as the E200K.

[Guest www888]

Thanks for advice, i test drove both E200k and E230. The E200k has good torque, although engine sounds a bit rough when pressed. E230 initial pick-up less than E200k, but V6 engine is very smooth and gives a much more refined feel, which is more consistent with the W211 overall image. E230 has 7 speed auto tranmission.

Test drove BMW E60 520i as well, 525i out of stock. 520i's engine smoother than E200k, but the steering wheel has thin rim unlike the sport steering wheel for the 6 cylinder versions. Plus tyres are non RFT.

Both W211 and E60 has no GPS navigation. Still undecided which to go for?

W211 is very comfortable and solid -- but I have some concerns about the image (many ah peh drivers; many taxis on the road).

[Guest 9339]

but I have some concerns about the image (many ah peh drivers; many taxis on the road).

Ah Pek works very hard to save enough money for a E200 (W211), Mercedes Taxis not say you want mean can get, selected driver only....

MB (Symbol of sucess).....BMW (Other ppl sucess) Mistress car

[Guest Raskie]

i dun think pple are actually put off buying the W211 becos of the taxi factor ... i guess if it's just snide-talk ... at the rate the growing number of taxi models, pretty soon, we'll end up riding bikes !

i own the W211 for about 2 years and love it very much ... i think it's a lovely car and you'll be surprise at the maintenance cost and mod potential if you really want to ... the former because there are so many w/shops outside who has no problems repairing it and the all-round availability of parts.

The latter ? well, if u are a serious petrolhead, then you would be better off considering the typical 'power' cars like EVO, WRX, M series or even AMGs ... dun try to 'mod' the W211 and claim that the Type-R is still better in 0-100 numbers .. know wat I mean ?

BMW, many claim is a driver's car .. but me no expert. Driven for a short time a friend's 325 while he was away ... it's a fun car but somehow I kinda miss my W211 elegance and well-pampered offerings ...

If u wanna get a Bimmer, I suggest to go for the 525 ... but I wld go for the outoging E230 with AMG package ...

[Guest sy69u]

i dun think pple are actually put off buying the W211 becos of the taxi factor ... i guess if it's just snide-talk ... at the rate the growing number of taxi models, pretty soon, we'll end up riding bikes !

i own the W211 for about 2 years and love it very much ... i think it's a lovely car and you'll be surprise at the maintenance cost and mod potential if you really want to ... the former because there are so many w/shops outside who has no problems repairing it and the all-round availability of parts.

The latter ? well, if u are a serious petrolhead, then you would be better off considering the typical 'power' cars like EVO, WRX, M series or even AMGs ... dun try to 'mod' the W211 and claim that the Type-R is still better in 0-100 numbers .. know wat I mean ?

If u wanna get a Bimmer, I suggest to go for the 525 ... but I wld go for the outoging E230 with AMG package ...

totally agree.....

[Guest Raskie]

i think buying car is a very personal choice .. if yr heart does not want it, even if 20 pple you ask says it is good, will you buy it ? even after buying it, would you be happy driving it ?

I'm of the opinion that if you like the 5-series buy it and if u like the Merc, buy it - why bother wat others say ?

Some pple look at bhp/torque and 0-100 nbrs ... my question is unless you track and really into getting the best out of your car (and hopefully yr car is gear up for such performance) ... why bother ? Are you going to hit the 6500-7000rpm each time it leaves your house ? are you going to hit 5.9sec each time the light turns green ?

If u seriously think about why Merc are used as taxi (mind you, it's limo taxi) ... it's because of the associated 'prestige' that it conveys .. a towkay's car ... it suppose to make the passenger feels like he/she is a VIP and can afford such a ride ... look at hotel limo ... i believe it's mainly Merc too ...

As one bro pointed out .. Merc has retained rather well the age-old connotation of "you have arrived".

PS: where i live, there is this private plate white W211. he has had the car for almost 3 years ... driver is about early 40s (?) ... rich bloke I can tell you ... yet he still gets a W211 and a white one !

[Guest east539]

i totally agreed man, if you like merc than just get it, just go with your heart & if one day SG have Merc S Class Cabs & BMW 7 Series Cabs than how??? all those owners have to change their ride ah??? dun say it will never happen in SG hor, coz during my stay at Germany there are S Class Cabs there liao, somemore is the current model one.

[Guest tan131]

I have owned both Beemers and Mercs before, in fact, I am into my 3 merc now. That being said, a car like what many has echoed, is a personal thing. The Beemer may appeal more to the younger crowd, but we do have members here who are much much younger then you would imagine.. I love my W211 and I have not even reached 30. There is jus something about a Merc that attracts all of us here. Once you driven one, be prepared that its very likely your next car would be a Merc

Why conform to how others view you as when you should be yourself. Ask yourself what you truely like and you will have your answer

PS: I am still using film when digital is the craze

[Guest Raskie]

.. I love my W211 and I have not even reached 30.

wow ... you had it good le ... many many years back (sob!) before i hit 30, i was driving the Honda ESi and changed to Mitsu Galant VR ... :punk1:

but you are rite ... own a Merc, most likely look to change to another one .. ;D

[Guest AwEsMe8]

The E230 W211 With AMG kit looks very handsome,very impressive, for sure not Ah Peh's car and is much more powerful than the E240 W210 I owned previously

The very first day when i got this car, i went down to change to the Roar RS engine oil and the Roar ATF. It makes the paddle so much lighter than the Standard E230 I have test driven in C&C.

[Guest angela]

your car's a beautiful baby. i love it.

on a side note, i would have debaged the E230 and placed E-Class instead.

[Guest www888]

Belated thanks to all for advice. Took long time to consider. Finally took the plunge and booked W211 E230. Somehow design of W212 takes time to get used to.

[Guest sy69u]

Belated thanks to all for advice. Took long time to consider. Finally took the plunge and booked W211 E230. Somehow design of W212 takes time to get used to.

great choice.... do join us for the once a month gtg at kallang....

[Guest angela]

Belated thanks to all for advice. Took long time to consider. Finally took the plunge and booked W211 E230. Somehow design of W212 takes time to get used to.

bro is your plate number 888?