Not necessarily a diesel topic but CDI is on the way. Do you like the classic look of the 210 with simple elegance or the swoop of the 211 with the sporty new lines and upgraded lenses? Cast your vote.

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Barker

W210 All the way!! My third favorite Benz, next to the 123 and the 300SL

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Nick
*****
2002 Sprinter 2500 140" High Roof :

I love the 210 cars. I think they will age well, unlike some current designs.

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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

The 210 is more classic Benz, IMO. That's what I would get...

No questions asked...The W210, and obviously I may be a bit biased. Wonderful cars. I don't like the W211 because it is too bland and less than acceptable looks in the rear, and the nose is too short and sloped. I have not have any first hand experience with one, but I see them everyday. I can't believe how small they really seem to be inside. Take note, on the W210, the window switches are STILL IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AREA! That is the mark of a true classic Merc.

I like the sporty smooth lines of the W211, but I really dislike the rear end on both.

I like the 210 better, especially the front, the rear is just ok. The front of the 211 is ok, the rear is quite bad IMO for a Mercedes. Looks too much like other (cheaper) cars, such as the Ford Taurus or Accord coupe. I still much prefer the square headlights of 140's and 124's though.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

definetly 210.
forget the 211 (TWO-E-LEMON)

I think the W211 looks really good with the AMG bodykit on. Otherwise... ...

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Well.. 124

But otherwise, W211.

210 is too big with unbroken slab surfaces. IMO looks quite wrong as an E55 AMG, but best as an Avantgarde with alloys.

Also the interior sucks.

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190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg

I like the 210 better for lots of reasons. One nice thing about both the 210's and 202's is that they were very good cars right from the start. The 140 was terrible from the beginning and took a few years before they were any good at all. The 211 I would say is on a par with the 163 with having just super terrible problems from the start. Sounds like they still are having problems with it. It's just way over-complicated. I haven't heard much bad news about the Stop-O-Matic brakes though, so that's good. Well, I've heard a few things, but not sure if I believe it or not. MB has been developing that system for a long time. It's still going to end up ticking alot of people off (and people will be hurt) when they can't safely do maintenance without a computer to disable the system. I'm thinking MB will eventually be forced to electronically alter the system so the brakes don't automatically set every time you unlock the car or open a door, for example. The hazard of course is that if something like this is done and a caliper is off the car...........POW!
But I like the styling of the 211 well enough, just too complex of a car and too many problems, mostly with control modules, for example the stereo system problems and this system I suppose most of you don't know about; it's got a seperate diagnosis computer integrated into the car, which has really been giving problems. Even the guys at Mercedes don't know what to do to fix it. Oh, and the new FSS+ system, can't wait to start getting questions on that beauty, we thought "A" and "B" services were bad, wait until they start going from A all the way up to G or thereabouts! Coolant good up to like 10 years or something? Great, that really builds on the MB philosophy of "maintain it til ya drop", doesn't it?
Probably my favorite "reasonably attainable" 210 is the E420, I like that 119 motor in it, really fun to drive, after that, probably the E430 and E320's, I liked the later smartkey cars.

Gilly

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211 for just the improvement in interior quality alone.

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94 E320
71 350SL

I don't know about that. The 2-E-lemon is notorious for poor interior fit and finish. Although it looks pretty, the quality of materials seems substandard. The rear seat is just awful - cushions seem paper thin and the seatback is at a terrible angle.

This is a tough one. The newest M-B I have owned is one currently in the stable, an 84! I want to like the new models, but I can't seem to stop thinking about all of these quality complaints.

(As an aside, I was at a local dealer, looking at new C-class sport coupe, and we went out back to look, drive, etc, and the car wouldn't start. That's right. Way to make a sale!)

I am considering 99 or 00 C230K, basically the newest model I will consider. Otherwise, probably a 124 chassis.

Even still, my impression of the quality of the 210 is no better than what people are saying about the 211.

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94 E320
71 350SL

The unofficial tally is in so far. The results have not yet been verified by an indepent auditing agency.

210 - 9 votes
211 - 3 votes
On the Fence? - 2 votes

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Barker