Which one is better: the E320 Estate S211 or the S210?

[MercedesFan2022]

Im on the hunt for an E320 cdi S211, but I'm on the fence about making the purchase because I had a previous experience with an S210 E320 on a '03 plate, which I adored for all her character and personality until I had to let it go due to underside rust. There aren't many in good condition that are within my budget right now, or otherwise I'd have another in a heartbeat.

Would an earlier model be fine, or do I need to concentrate on the 2007+ facelift versions, S211?
Is the 3.0 V6 more sturdy than the 6 inline older powerpack? I'm planning to use it as a long-term tourer in Europe, thus reliability is definitely the most important issue.


My 2014 E350 coupe won't cut it for continental camping, but I have an E320 estate on hand in case of an emergency.

Spend no more than £6,000. What do you think, guys?

[Rebecca_Taylor90]

There were so many improvements with the 2007 facelifts that I would always choose them, but...

Twenty years of age makes condition and provenance paramount, particularly when planning a two- to three-thousand mile journey.


It need only have been owned by people who have repaired and maintained the vehicle for it to be able to do it. And ideally kept it in the garage for a portion of that period

You can see the cars. If you want to be the best, all you need is patience and the capacity to say "no" when necessary.

My best wishes!

[MercedesFan2022]

That makes perfect sense, and it's helpful to be reminded of my tendency to keep hoping for the best when buying cars, even when there are clear signs that they aren't excellent. I once burnt up after purchasing a stunning Alfa 159 similar to that.
I am patient because I am old enough and have the time.

[MercedesMan98]

In comparison to the 642, I find the 4 pot om646 to be more dependable.
It pulls well when mapped and has a 15–20% improvement in fuel economy.


Someone recently brought up the fact that some of them had the alloy rear sub frame, which has to be the better option in the long run.

If this isn't done, brake pipes will probably get brown.

[David_Smith2003]

....if the rough texture and sounds from the canal boat are OK to you! With the exception of the oil cooler, which is simple enough to do yourself; it simply takes time. The 642 has decent reliability (though I don't have any long-term 646 experience to compare). Despite losing a couple of mpg, the sound, torque, and creamy smoothness more than make up for it. Contrary to my expectations, the MB 212's four-pot oil burners were noisier and rougher than my four-pot ALFA 159 2.0JTDm 170.

[MercedesMan98]

I thought the 211 646 was the last 642 to have a DPF installed; maybe they waited for the 646 to be replaced by the 651 before adding them to the 642.

From London to near Ashbourne, we covered about 170 miles at an accurate 58mpg. By the time we made it home along the A highways of Derbyshire, that had dropped to 53. It is easy to achieve 50+mpg.


Being a well-insulated E, it's decent, and even better when cruising, but it's not as silent as the 642. I'm almost balancing that engine, but it's far better than the om651 in the Viano.

[MercedesFan2022]

Given my intended mileage on the continent, 50+mpg is powerful. I'm not willing to part with the om642's strong, reliable acceleration in my e350, no matter how much it annoys me in the boat-like s211.

I would give it some thinking if the history, provenance, and price were all in one cohesive bundle; I hadn't considered mapping it for an e220 before. How much influence would it have? Just 168 horsepower, I believe, is the bare minimum.

[MercedesMan98]

One hundred seventy horsepower is the standard power output of the subsequent facelift. However, the 400Nm of stock torque at low rpm is what really makes driving easy.

Celtic claims it can increase the power to 214 bhp and 496 Nm.
I was taken aback by its bravery when I purchased ours; now I wouldn't be astonished if it had the option to be remapped.

Compared to our Viano, which is expected to be similar to the 211 in stock, it is undoubtedly far more capable.

I feel like it's just as capable as the 642, thanks to the lower gearing.

Going sixty miles per hour on the motorway was the high economy.
Despite heavy traffic and winding roads, I managed to get 47.0mpg on 67.8 litres of gas throughout a few days of driving from Buxton to Beaumaris and back, Ilfracombe to Bude, and finally Birmingham to refuel.
Mrs. Me gets 30–35 mpg on her 7-mile commute, depending on the traffic. Budget tires, though.