Advice needed

[robm]

Hi,,
New to MBClub Uk, hope you dont mind me asking for some advice.. I'm looking for my first Mercedes been looking at 2005 C-class c220 cdi Avantgarde high spec. This is to replace our family Mondeo 2.0 auto Zetec. Think i'm going to go to a dealer as we need to trade the mondeo in.
we have seen some nice cars, but have been a bit worried by the mileage on some, being so high over 100,000 one we did like a lot had 130,000 but did have full main dealer history and only 3 half years old and was spotless. I was told these engines last for ever. I dont belive that but am sure they are good engines.
we are looking at spending about 7600,00 in total and thats with our trade in 05 mondeo. wonder if we should be looking for older model with less mileage!

What do you think!
Regards
Rob

 

[kwakdonut]

Welcome to the forum!

Think you will find that 100k+ 200/220's are not uncommon - they certainly will run to very high mileages with no problems.

Best things to have (IMHO!) - Auto gearbox, COMAND, leather, Parktronic (parking sensors), get the 220 not the 200. You will find that the Avantgarde has generally harder/sports suspension whereas the Elegance/Classic have softer suspension. There is little different equipment wise between the Elegance and the Avantgarde. You will find the interiors differ slightly - Elegance is wood, Avantgarde is generally Alu trim.

There is a huge wealth of knowledge on here so please feel free to ask!!!

Enjoy

 

[verytalldave]

Whatever C Class (W203) you do end up buying, make sure its a facelift model (post 2004). Identified by the clear headlamp glass and twin dial instrument cluster amongst many other things. Better than the pre-facelift models. Not least because of the fully galvanised body and revamped suspension.
Those mileages seem a tad high for such young cars. Personally I would want something more in line with 20K per annum. Remember, its not just the engine thats racked up those miles. Its the gearbox, suspension, steering and countless other bits as well. At the end of the day, its all reflected in the price. I would rather pay a bit more to get one with a lower mileage.
Another aspect worthy of consideration. Colour of car affects value. Silver and Black seem to hold their value significantly better than other colours.
I dont know whether you had ever considered an estate version?
Estate cars were actually built in Germany whereas all C Class saloons were made in South Africa.
Everything else, as per the above post............

Welcome along BTW...................

.

 

[wemorgan]

Here's a thread on what mileage people think is too high for their MB.

For me, condition is more important than mileage. With a +100k miles car it's not only engine wear you need to consider but suspension too.

With the service history look for receipts for work carried out as well as the stamps in the book.

 

[kwakdonut]

High mileage cars generally indicate that they have been driven up and down motorways so will not (generally) have car park 'dinks', seat wear or, worse still, 'clogged' up engines!

I believe there has probably been hundreds of threads on this but I, for one, am not afraid of a high mileage car. Especially if it warranted!

 

[robm]

Here's a thread on what mileage people think is too high for their MB.

For me, condition is more important than mileage. With a +100k miles car it's not only engine wear you need to consider but suspension too.

With the service history look for receipts for work carried out as well as the stamps in the book.

That is very in interesting thread about mileage,,,