USED Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate (99 - 03)

My car

I have owned my 320 CDi E-Class estate since new. First-rate load carrier and motorway cruiser. Superb engine, which gives me just over 40mpg on a run with 36mpg on average.

Practical interior that has an air of quality. Comfortable ride but you can't rush it along country lanes. Have had minor irritating electrical problems that were all resolved during 3 year warranty.

Latest irritation is fact that some pixels have failed in dashboard clock. Am currently in dispute with Mercedes over repair of this fault. Would I buy another one? Yes but I would go for a 2 year old one with all the bells an whistles.

My car

A great workhorse although very luxurious particularly with the optional extras we spec'd.

This diesel engine a great improvement over the previous 300 non turbo. It pulls like a train with a low 8sec 0-60 and very good punch for overtaking. Tailgating boy racers see the diesel badge but get left in the smoke... it does smoke a bit under hard acceleration.

Bought from new and done approx 50,000 miles in three years. Two problems: 1st within few weeks of delivery the front brake sensor was found to have been fitted wrongly. 2nd at approx 30k service the rear shocks had to be replaced. Both identified at the service and done under warranty with no haggling.

Routine servicing at approx 16,000 mile intervals using the computer very reasonable. Quite heavy on tyres (especially front ones - probably due to the weight of the engine).

Can't wait for the new 320CDI V6.