Advice for buying a new mercedes

[Parry8]

Hi guys, new forum user here

I have had enough with buying old bangers and then getting rid after 1 year or so, so was looking to put some extra money to buy a new Mercedes and one that I can use for a few years.

I've not had much experience with Mercedes so was just looking for some advice with these cars I'm going to look at today, and what I should be looking out for?

Mercedes-Benz C Class C180K Coupe - 44k Miles - £3,395
Key facts

• 2003
• Petrol
• Coupe
• Manual
• 44000 miles

Long MOT, long tax and good condition!, SILVER, 3 owners, Next MOT due 01/10/2014, Tax expires 01/11/2014, Full service history, Electric windows, CD player, Folding rear seats, Sports seats, Metallic paint, Alloy wheels, Power steering, Cruise control, Traction control, Central locking, Alarm, Immobiliser, Driver's airbags, Side airbags, Passenger airbags. £3,395

Mercedes-Benz C Class C180K Saloon - 65k Miles - £2999
Key facts

• 2003
• Petrol
• Saloon
• Automatic
• 65000 miles

An Extremely Well Presented Example, 2 Private Owners With Full Service History, Cruise Control, Climate Control, Alloy Wheels, Multi Cd, Trip Computer, Auto Lights, Electric Windows, All Our Vehicles Are Presented To The Highest Standard, Supplied With a New Mot & Service, Fully Hpi Clear, 2 Keys & 3 Month Warranty, With Over 27 Years Main Dealer Experience You Can Be Fuly Confident With Your Purchase.



Mercedes-Benz C Class C180K Coupe - 77k Miles - £2,950
Key facts

• 2002
• Petrol
• Coupe
• Manual
• 77000 miles

SILVER, This Immaculate Example is Finished in Metallic Silver with Black Interior Trim. Stainless Steel Dash, Alloy Wheels, Panoramic Glass Sunroof, Multi Function Wheel, Cruise Control, Climate Control, Sports Seats, Electric Windows, Power Fold Door Mirrors, 6 Speed Gearbox, On Board Computer, Remote Central Locking & Traction Control. Very well maintained, backed with Full Service History and Sold with 12 Months MOT., £2,950

Mercedes-Benz C Class C200K Classic - 64k Miles £2999
Key facts

• 2002
• Petrol
• Saloon
• Manual
• 64000 miles

Metallic SILVER, 4 X SERVICES TO 64K MILES, TAXED UNTIL MARCH 2014, TWO KEYS, 3 months warranty, Next MOT due 15/12/2014, Good bodywork, Interior - Good Condition, Tyre condition Good, Automatic climate control, Four 6Jx15 7 hole alloy wheels, 6 SPEED ECONOMY GEARBOX, Electric windows, Mercedes Audio 10 radio/single CD+7 speakers, ALL CLEAR HPI WITH CERTIFICATE, Electronic Stability Program with Anti Skid Control, Remote central locking, Partial electric front seats/backrest/height adjustment, Airbags, Electrically heated + operated door mirrors, Power Steering, Height adjustable steering column, Alarm system/interior protection/immobiliser.


The Coupe with 44k miles sounds good, but need advice on what I should look out for, especially reliability etc


Thanks guys

 

[markjay]

Mine is a 2006 (C180K) and the reliability has so far been examplary.

My understanding is this:

Late 2003 cars and onwards will have fully galvanised body panels reducing the risk of rust.

2004 and onwards cars are facelift model which is more reliable than the pre-facelift.

Hope this helps.

 

[markjay]

As for engines...

The older C200K will be M270 producing 122bhp.

The newer C180K is M271 producing 143bhp.

 

[Parry8]

Mine is a 2006 (C180K) and the reliability has so far been examplary.

My understanding is this:

Late 2003 cars and onwards will have fully galvanised body panels reducing the risk of rust.

2004 and onwards cars are facelift model which is more reliable than the pre-facelift.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the tip, I suppose with the 02 ones I should make sure I check for rust.

Anyone think I should be a little cautious with the one with 44k mile coupe? seems a little low for that type of car.

 

[zenman63]

I would look for face lift cars, 54 plates should do it, the dash is so much better.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Thanks for the tip, I suppose with the 02 ones I should make sure I check for rust.

Anyone think I should be a little cautious with the one with 44k mile coupe? seems a little low for that type of car.

The 02 cars WILL suffer from rust. It may be well hidden for now after recent work but it's almost guaranteed to reappear. It's usually not a structural problem but can get cosmetically awful.

Probably no need to be too cautious about the low mileage coupe, these are often second cars that don't get used that much. BUT, because the Mercedes mechanicals are generally good, you'll generally get better value with a high mileage car that may have spent most of its life up and down motorways getting very little stress.

Finally, I see that most of your options are manuals. IMO Mercedes have never been the best at manual boxes (others here will argue on that one) but more importantly they may prove difficult for you if the car has Mercedes' usual foot operated parking brake. This can be an awkward combination when pulling away up a hill. Just something to be aware of when trying them out.

 

[Parry8]

The 02 cars WILL suffer from rust. It may be well hidden for now after recent work but it's almost guaranteed to reappear. It's usually not a structural problem but can get cosmetically awful.

Probably no need to be too cautious about the low mileage coupe, these are often second cars that don't get used that much. BUT, because the Mercedes mechanicals are generally good, you'll generally get better value with a high mileage car that may have spent most of its life up and down motorways getting very little stress.

Finally, I see that most of your options are manuals. IMO Mercedes have never been the best at manual boxes (others here will argue on that one) but more importantly they may prove difficult for you if the car has Mercedes' usual foot operated parking brake. This can be an awkward combination when pulling away up a hill. Just something to be aware of when trying them out.

Thanks for the tips, I've been told a few times that the 02 models are bad for rust.
I have heard that automatic Mercedes are the best around, they just seen to be more expensive than the manuals.
Not heard about this "foot operated parking brake" sounds like it may take a while to get used to, but doesn't seem to be to much of a con.

With high mileage not being much of a problem, I assume spending £3,000 on a 70k miles Mercedes is not that bad and I should get good use of it?
I've just thought spending this much on a car then I should look for something with a little less mileage.

 

[JohnBar]

I tried a manual with the foot operated brake and indeed it is difficult.
From my rather limited experience manual Mercs are a rarity and the auto box is so smooth.
Each to their own of course.