Yes, mine was a 270 CDI - definitely automatic :}

Mike

Rover 75 v Merc E class. Anyone had both?
 

I've a 2009 e220 auto, but no walnut I'm afraid.😪
Lovely to drive, if your not into trashing around the corners. Bit like a big comfy barge.😁
Much comfier & quieter (inside) than both my 75,s.
However, it sounds like a tractor outside.😄
My normal drives are approx 100 miles at a time.
The merc averages 45, the auto tourer -43, the manual saloon-48. All brim to brim.
The merc is no harder on tyres than the 75 imo, having just got 26k out of a set of (tbc???), and still had at least 2 or 3mm of thread.
I'm only just getting back in the merc, (doesn't like white stuff), having driven the 75 saloon all winter.
It's a nice place to be.👌
That said, I had a 2004 e270 about 9 or 10 year ago, which was better again, more smoother & refined, as it was a 5 cylinder.
Do plenty of reading, as, like the rover, they can all have their problems.
Pre 2008/2009, will be significantly less efficient for mpg.
Also, mine has the OM651 engine, which can be prone to timing chain issues, costing over £1k, to fix, if what I've read is correct.😱😱.


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Rover 75 v Merc E class. Anyone had both?
 

Also worth noting, that the cdi autos, (2000-2003ish), were prone to torque converter failure, due to glycol contamination, if fitted with valeo oil coolers.
There was a fault with the valeos, that leaked coolant from the shared oil / transmission fluid cooler block. Coolant could leak into the transmission fluid and....bad things happen.😩
I say "ish" because although widely reported to be just 2000-2003 models, mine was an early 2004 which suffered the same fate.😞.
Knackered torque converter, poorly replaced..was the demise of me & Mercedes for about 10 years.😪😪.
(Well, excluding the 1976, w114 250,
Which doesn't see much in the way way of real driving these days).

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Thanks guys. It would seem the consensus of opinion amongst those with 75 and Merc E class experience is that the Merc is a nicer place to be, a nicer drive and generally smoother and quieter ride. In a nut shell, exactly what I am looking for: all my work driving is between 1 and 4 hour journeys, and runs of 25 to 200 miles at a time on A roads and motorways. I think it's time to look at Merc Es.
Are they as reliable and cost effective to own as the 75s?

I would guess that the key here is service history. You really need to find one that has been loved by its previous owner(s). Find the right car and it will serve you well. I didn't have to spend anything on it (other than an oil service) whilst in my ownership. And the 270 CDI engine was very quiet indeed.

Mike

Wheel arches used to rapidly turn into colanders on early ones. After the facelift they got better although not, in my opinion, as good as a properly maintained 75. The 3.2 is a lovely drive though.

What age of car are you looking at?

I've had a 2000 E320cdi saloon and it was a great car.

However, it is in no way a DIY repair/maintenance prospect - everything has to be done the MB way...

Had to have a new dash on mine as gauges not working properly - fitted at a (cheaper) independent but nobody told me that I needed to get it to a stealer before reaching 300 miles on the odometer (at that point they lock and the mileage cannot be reset) to get the correct mileage entered.

Also, the straight 6 diesels are known for becoming very firmly attached to their injectors - head off job to remove same.

Oh, and new headlamps cost over £160!

The ones I am looking at 2003-07/08, so not the rusty ones.
I'm only looking at diesels, because of the mileage I do, and probably the E220 or E270.

They will cost more to fix and maintain than a 75 but find a local merc specialist, as said many times find one that's been properly maintained even if it's done high miles.

I wish I had known, last week we took in and sold a 1 owners E200 auto done 36000 miles and it was mint. 1.8 supercharged but still did late 30s on a run.