£4k to spend what would you buy?

[flango]

I am switching from running old as a daily to new. I shall keep the XM I bought for the purpose, but too many little things that take up too much time - this is the same as every older car I've had from my first W124. The romance has gone - that is what a genuine classic is for, and the expense is actually far more than you think.

Exactly my experience too

 

[gaz_l]

Said the Man with a Fiat panda...

It's hers..

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

No it's not we looked at that one

What's up with it? Looks good in the photos.

 

[V12]

Not necessarily I have a 17 year old CLK that is absolutely mint both mechanically and bodywise, I use it every other day but I never have to tinker every weekend. I just set aside one Sunday a month be it a full day or half a day to give it a good going over and keep it in fine fettle. If I had to do this every weekend it would be gone

My BIL is a mechanic so no dramas in that department but lifes too short to continually be pratting with cars at the expense of the family.

With all due respect you won't get that same reliability from a W211 or a W220.

If I sorted every little niggle every time something cropped up I would be at it every weekend. As I haven't had any major issues I tend to let the niggles build up and do similar to you, once a month sort a few of them. It's always been minor things for me, brake light switch, GPS aerial etc, but others report a different story with the W220.

My car is a very well maintained example that has genuinely been cared for, yet the age (10yr old) is starting to show and the regularity of issues is increasing.

 

[V12]

Plus for the vast majority of motorists, monthly maintenance is a ridiculous concept. Annual, yes. Monthly, no.

 

[Dieselman]

Plus for the vast majority of motorists, monthly maintenance is a ridiculous concept. Annual, yes. Monthly, no.

My sludge-burner isn't getting monthly maintenance and it's covering a few miles.

 

[Endex]

Mercedes-Benz 560 5.5 SEC 2dr

Wow! That's a proper Gentleman's chariot!

 

[V12]

My E320cdi W210 was the second most reliable car I've ever had and I did up to 50k a year in that. Only beaten in the reliability stakes by my 190E 2.6.

W210 once had a fan belt snap pulling on a slip road. But I was aware and had bought a new belt (in the boot) just hadn't got round to fitting it.

The 190e was flawless in pretty much every way.

 

[V12]

My sludge-burner isn't getting monthly maintenance and it's covering a few miles.

Do you have to top up your oil as much as a C63?

 

[Dieselman]

Do you have to top up your oil as much as a C63?

Ummm... No..!

One top up between changes is normal. Changes are 15,000 miles apart.

The car has 203k miles under it's belt.

 

[brigadier]

Also BMW E39 is well in budget. Good cars and still look good especially sport models with M bumpers.

example http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-BMW-...7450605?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cdb4f626d

 

[flango]

Need educating on W209

Ok people I need educating I know some of you have said that for years In the search for an MB we are going to look at some W209 examples mainly CLK240 can anyone educate me on these particularly the V6 2.6 engine. I'm very familiar with the w208 but know relatively nothing about the W209 so any information and buyer pitfalls would be most appreciated

TIA

 

[GP801]

Just the usual things. Early ones prone to rust on wheel arches. Late 2003 onwards galvanised so better in this respect. Mechanically strong. The 240 is the least popular engine so potential for a bargain. its heavy on fuel and not much quicker than a 200k. It is smoother however. In petrol engines a 200K or 320 6 cylinder are probably better options. Interior and electrics much better after the mid 2004 facelift but I think the 240 was dropped then.

 

[V12]

All you need to know is that is doesn't fill your initial brief.

Interior space is very cramped.

 

[flango]

All you need to know is that is doesn't fill your initial brief.

Interior space is very cramped.

It sort of does kids will only ever be in the back so thats not a problem and boot space is very good. No kids and back seats down and you will be amazed what goes in from the videos I've seen on YouTube Mountain bikes, coffee tables, chest of drawers. As GP801 points out the 240 engines don't seem that popular and if you get a manual one there are some real bargains out there much better than the W211 we have been looking at

 

[V12]

I lived with a 209 as a daily drive for 3/4 years. I did manage to get a single mattress in with the seats down and my bike plenty of times which was handy...but with the seats up, it just doesn't seat 4 reasonable size people in comfort. Kids grow quickly.

I'm 5'11" but have longer than average legs and no one could sit behind me at all. To get 3 passengers in I had to compromise on my driving position and it became uncomfortable on longer journeys.

I didn't want that experience in my next motor, hence the LWB S.

 

[flango]

I lived with a 209 as a daily drive for 3/4 years. I did manage to get a single mattress in with the seats down and my bike plenty of times which was handy...but with the seats up, it just doesn't seat 4 reasonable size people in comfort. Kids grow quickly.

I'm 5'11" but have longer than average legs and no one could sit behind me at all. To get 3 passengers in I had to compromise on my driving position and it became uncomfortable on longer journeys.

I didn't want that experience in my next motor, hence the LWB S.

What engine did you have in your w209 and any comments on it and how it suited the car?

 

[V12]

270cdi, it was a great engine in that car. The MPG was unreal. Real tank to tank it could easily achieve 55mpg on a good run.
I did plenty of miles and overall the car was perfectly suited to motorway miles. I always found the suspension a little crashy around town. After fitting brand new shocks/springs and plenty of bushes all round it improved slightly, but even changing back to 16" wheels with fresh michelin rubber it still wasn't what I expected from a MB.

 

[jamesfuller]

If I needed a £4k daily right now I am pretty sold on the idea of a V8 ML. Maybe add another couple grand and get a ML55

They seem to be highly specified, and haven't done huge mileage (if its genuine) but it seems they where mostly bought as toys, the diesels where the workhorses!

 

[flango]

If I needed a £4k daily right now I am pretty sold on the idea of a V8 ML. Maybe add another couple grand and get a ML55

They seem to be highly specified, and haven't done huge mileage (if its genuine) but it seems they where mostly bought as toys, the diesels where the workhorses!

I would never entertain another ML the one I had was a right money pit and a few of my mates have been stung the same way, one of the worst designed 4x4 ever IMHO. My BIL was so peed off working on mine and putting it right I know he would not have one.

Thanks for the suggestion though as I agree on the face of it good value for money but deep down a whole world of pain and financial loss