Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse 211 E 220 CDI, 150 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive (2002–2006)

Research for this car

Generation guide Mercedes E-Class W211 (2002-2009): known problems and buying guide
A risky buy for its age. Check SBC brakes, air suspension and timing chains first, since their repairs can cost thousands of euros.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost	Source
SBC brake faults before the 2006 facelift	Cars built 2002 to 2006	Control unit about 100,000-150,000 km	Unit about 1,200 EUR in parts plus 3-5 hours labour (Germany, year not stated)	Generation guide
Airmatic air suspension leaks and compressor failure	Cars with Airmatic	Bellows about 80,000-120,000 km	Two rear bellows 2,500-3,500 EUR; compressor 1,000-1,300 EUR (Germany, year not stated)	Generation guide
Chassis, ball joints, tie rods and steering play	All cars	Steering play about 300,000 km	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Rust at rear arches, sills and the tailgate	All cars, mostly before 2006	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide

Check the car after it has stood overnight. A sag or a "car too low" warning points to a leak. A scanner reads compressor run time: 40-80 hours per 100,000 km is normal, over 200 hours means a leak. Two rear bellows cost 2,500-3,500 EUR (Germany, year not stated).
On cars built 2002 to 2006, a scanner reads the SBC pump run time. Bad result: a red brake warning, a pump that runs over 15 seconds to reach pressure, or an accumulator that holds pressure for less than 30 minutes. A new unit costs about 1,200 EUR in parts plus 3-5 hours labour (Germany, year not stated).
Turn the wheel lock to lock, then drive over bumps. Bad result: play in the steering or knocks from the front joints. Steering play is typical after about 300,000 km.
On a lift, check the rear wheel arches, sills, lower door edges and tailgate for bubbling or holed metal. Check the boot for water. Bad result: holes, or water that corrodes the rear electronics box (SAM).

Operational	€213
Workshop	€145
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€162
Total per month	€520
New-car depreciation (not included)	€76

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de in this generation with this fuel, gearbox and power.

First registration	Listings	Median price	Median mileage
2006	11	€2,990	285,173 km
2005	21	€3,500	315,000 km
2004	23	€3,000	296,000 km
2003	17	€4,190	257,000 km
2002	12	€2,690	261,333 km

Medians only for years with at least 5 listings. Many cars are first registered after production ends, so years can run past the build years.

Month	Listings	Median price	Middle half	Median mileage
Nov 2026	84	€3,000	€2,300 – €4,200	285,173 km
Oct 2026	84	€3,000	€2,300 – €4,200	285,173 km

Median asking price at the last snapshot of each month.

All 12 ADAC versions

Version	Power	Body	Doors	Production years	Running cost per month
E 220 CDI Elegance	150 PS	Saloon	4	2002–2005	€510
E 220 CDI Avantgarde	150 PS	Saloon	4	2002–2005	€510
E 220 CDI Classic	150 PS	Saloon	4	2002–2005	€511
E 220 CDI DPF Avantgarde	150 PS	Saloon	4	2003–2006	€522
E 220 CDI DPF Classic	150 PS	Saloon	4	2003–2006	€523
E 220 CDI DPF Elegance	150 PS	Saloon	4	2003–2006	€522
E 220 CDI DPF T-Modell Classic	150 PS	Estate	5	2004–2006	€529
E 220 CDI DPF T-Modell Elegance	150 PS	Estate	5	2004–2006	€529
E 220 CDI DPF T-Modell Avantgarde	150 PS	Estate	5	2004–2006	€529
E 220 CDI T-Modell Elegance	150 PS	Estate	5	2003–2005	€517
E 220 CDI T-Modell Avantgarde	150 PS	Estate	5	2003–2005	€517
E 220 CDI T-Modell Classic	150 PS	Estate	5	2003–2005	€517