W211 E230 or E200

[Pagoda]

Dear all,

First of all, hi to everbody as I just joined this wonderful MB forum. I'm now in the market for a 2nd family car and I'm torn between the E230 and E200. My heart tells me E230 but my brain is telling me E200. Both depreciation is roughly the same at +- $15k but I'm concerned with the long term maintenance of the E230. Can anybody advice the reliability of the 7g as well as the pros/cons between the 2 models? Thx in advance!

[kepiting1sg]

Welcome to the forum!

Hope to see you in the family soon!

The E230 is a 2.5L V6 and the 7G-tronics is a well proven gear box.

IMHO the E230 is a much quieter ride than the E200K.

The E200K with the Supercharger can be quite noisy when pushed.

The only consolation is the lower road tax for the E200K.

[Pagoda]

Thx kepiting1sg for the info on the reliability of Merc 7g trans and the welcome. I tried the E230 and E200K back to back, can definitely tell the difference in smoothness and quietness. As I'm driving the C180k now, the E230 is a breath of fresh air. Just concern with parts availability as the E230 was never a volume seller unlike the E200. Having driven the E200, I thought of trying the E230 but due to the high price vs paper value, no thx to low COE of old cars and high new car price, I probably have to drive it till EOL when COE expired. Thus reliability is utmost importance since I assume parts are harder to come by.

[bbwannabe]

Reliability ain't the problem. The road tax is. That is why E200k move off the shelf far more quickly than a E230.

Spec wise, you will be hard pressed to find any real difference.

Sale price for both models are about the same anyway.

So...

Quietness & Smoothness & Power -> E230

Low Road Tax -> E200k

Thus, if can pay... buy bigger lah! E280 and above will be better. =)

[mercc]

Overall, merc are quite reliable rides.

As long as you do regular service and repairs as required, should last till coe expiry at least!

The 230 will definitely give a smoother and quiet ride, just that you pay double road tax and maybe higher FC.

[Pagoda]

Thx a lot to all your comments. Still undecided as to which to go for....guess I will likely go with the heart. Now I just need to wait for the perfect combination of options....

[bbwannabe]

Well... if it helps. I own a E200 now and regret not buying the E230. Haha...

[Penyekz]

For me, I never drove the E230 but own an E200. Its fantastic and very quiet in its own right. There is more than enough power for a Merc... And I didn't buy this car to compete in the F1. This is compared to the E200 W210 I drove before... That was a tank with hardly enough power to carry its armour. Can't comment on reliability since I've owned the car for less than a month.

All electrics working and only problem I've had was a loose driver door handle 2 days after picking up the car..... turns out the locking mechanism was broken and it was replaced and covered by the car dealer. Was very gracious of them. It was CitiCars at pasir panjang in case you want to hunt for cars.

[Prince]

e230 is a v6 naturually aspirated engine and the e200 is using a twin pulse 4 cyclinder supercharge system...

in city driving.. no major difference.. but on the open highways.. the v6 is a real gem... less vibration, smoother and quiter driver and with the 7 speed gearbox.. lower rpm also

anyways.. interior and trim fit is good for both the cars...

as for parts.. either car parts no issue.. singapore is a major hub for merc original and oem parts...