DILEMA! Should i sell my car or not!?

[SilverSaloon]

i have a decision to make....

i love my CLK cabrio but i'm really in need of a bigger car, something more practical to take the little one and wife down south in etc.

so... i have my heart set on an S Class.

now summer is nearing, its obviosuly the best time to sell my CLK Cab. Assuming it sells what S class would people recommend?

as many toys is high on the agenda, i'm not too worried about milage but nothing over 80k....

£30,000 is about the max i want to spend.

with this in view i think i have the following options:

(a) 2003 (facelift) 320 CDI NON-long wheelbase
(b) pre-2003 (probably 2001) 320 CDI long wheelbase

would people recommend i get the LWB version of the car, but pre-facelift or a newer facelifted (current) version of the NON-LWB car....?

from research done is the LWB worth getting over the non-long wheelbase?

my head says wait until next year when then new shape is out and prices drop and i should get a 2003 facelift LWB model for my money, but my heart says get the 2001 LWB model with all the toys...

problem is i really want the S class and everytime i drive my car is constantly on my mine - should i sell or shouldnt i

i have seen this one which looks pretty good: (2nd in list):

http://www.bullittcars.com/cars2.htm

Mercedes Benz S320L LWB CDi 4 door Automatic Diesel £26,995

2001 51 Reg, Metallic Almadine black with full black leather, 74,000 miles, 1 Owner. With Full Service History, Front and rear Colour TV screens, Satelight Navigation System, Electric Glass Sunroof, Electric Heated Memory Seats, Electrically heated memory seats to REAR, Park distance control, Air-Conditioning, Climate control, Cruise control, Computer, Alloy wheels, Cd system, Multi Funtion Steering Wheel, Electric windows, Traction control, Electric Rear Blind, Pulse Vibrating Seating, Anti-skid control, Colour TV, Electric folding mirrors, Double Glazed Glass, wood & leather steering wheel, Electric Steering Column, Plus many other feature

any comments? i really would want to sell my CLK 1st to get the most for it but then i will be without a car until the right s class comes along....

also anyone able to go and view the car and take some piccies for me as i am in scotland and dont want to travel down just to make sure the car is right. i have emailed the dealer but got no reply as yet.

 

[Alfie]

i have a decision to make....

i love my CLK cabrio but i'm really in need of a bigger car, something more practical to take the little one and wife down south in etc.

so... i have my heart set on an S Class.

now summer is nearing, its obviosuly the best time to sell my CLK Cab. Assuming it sells what S class would people recommend?

as many toys is high on the agenda, i'm not too worried about milage but nothing over 80k....

£30,000 is about the max i want to spend.

with this in view i think i have the following options:

(a) 2003 (facelift) 320 CDI NON-long wheelbase
(b) pre-2003 (probably 2001) 320 CDI long wheelbase

would people recommend i get the LWB version of the car, but pre-facelift or a newer facelifted (current) version of the NON-LWB car....?

from research done is the LWB worth getting over the non-long wheelbase?

my head says wait until next year when then new shape is out and prices drop and i should get a 2003 facelift LWB model for my money, but my heart says get the 2001 LWB model with all the toys...

problem is i really want the S class and everytime i drive my car is constantly on my mine - should i sell or shouldnt i

i have seen this one which looks pretty good: (2nd in list):

http://www.bullittcars.com/cars2.htm

Mercedes Benz S320L LWB CDi 4 door Automatic Diesel £26,995

2001 51 Reg, Metallic Almadine black with full black leather, 74,000 miles, 1 Owner. With Full Service History, Front and rear Colour TV screens, Satelight Navigation System, Electric Glass Sunroof, Electric Heated Memory Seats, Electrically heated memory seats to REAR, Park distance control, Air-Conditioning, Climate control, Cruise control, Computer, Alloy wheels, Cd system, Multi Funtion Steering Wheel, Electric windows, Traction control, Electric Rear Blind, Pulse Vibrating Seating, Anti-skid control, Colour TV, Electric folding mirrors, Double Glazed Glass, wood & leather steering wheel, Electric Steering Column, Plus many other feature

any comments? i really would want to sell my CLK 1st to get the most for it but then i will be without a car until the right s class comes along....

also anyone able to go and view the car and take some piccies for me as i am in scotland and dont want to travel down just to make sure the car is right. i have emailed the dealer but got no reply as yet.

Personally I'd go for the one with 37,000 miles on at a grand more.

I think you are wise to go for a diesel as the running costs of these beasts is considerable. Also the diesel will hold its value better. Still, I guess a lot of these have been used a chauffer cars so the use they have had will be minimal even if the mileage is high.

I'd think about advertising your car this weekend as Bank holidays and warm weather bring out the cabrio buyers!

Good luck

 

[SilverSaloon]

Personally I'd go for the one with 37,000 miles on at a grand more.
Good luck

thats not LWB tho. i really want to try and get the best specced one as possible, so TV in rear etc etc is high on the want-list, and the LWB cars seem to have stuff like that in the rear along with heated rear seats etc

 

[PAUL R]

My personal opinion is do not let your heart rule your head,you will always get a better price for your car in spring /early summer as opposed to selling a drop top in the autumn /winter,and also your clk has put another year on,If you do wait till the new model arrives you may also get a better deal, as the market tries to upgrade it's self as quick as possible, as nobody likes sitting on old stock. Good luck

 

[Alfie]

thats not LWB tho. i really want to try and get the best specced one as possible, so TV in rear etc etc is high on the want-list, and the LWB cars seem to have stuff like that in the rear along with heated rear seats etc

Fair enough. If I was up that way or going there I'd take the piccies for you.

Good luck in your search. By the way there was someone on here looking for A cabrio (besides me) recently. I think they were selling an Audi TT to fund it!

 

[SilverSaloon]

Fair enough. If I was up that way or going there I'd take the piccies for you.

Good luck in your search. By the way there was someone on here looking for A cabrio (besides me) recently. I think they were selling an Audi TT to fund it!

it seems very difficult to get a car with the spec i want. another option to me is to get one without rear tv etc and retrofit aftermarket screens

 

[Brett]

It took me ages to source mine and cost £31k in the end with 49.5k on the clock. There were quite a few around at the time, but this was the only one I found at a main dealer. With the problems I've had with it, that is a bit of luck! I've been in discussion with the dealer today about returning the car and getting my money back, otherwise you could have bought it from me for £30k

As for whether to go LWB or not, it is definitely not as nimble as the SWB and is much heavier on the juice, although this may be yet another problem with the car itself. I'm averaging around 6mpg less than I was with the equivalent SWB. There is loads of room in the back (as you'd expect) and on the few occasions that my missus has gone in the back with the wee man, she's been very comfortable etc.

As for whether to buy the LWB or SWB yourself, tough call. You're welcome to come look at this one before it goes back, but that is likely to be next week. IM me if you're interested.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Brett, is there much difference in the space at the rear between the LWB and SWB?

since you have had both versions, would you get another LWB over the SWB, or do u think once the novelty has worn off, it doesnt really make much of a difference - i

 

[Brett]

Brett, is there much difference in the space at the rear between the LWB and SWB?

since you have had both versions, would you get another LWB over the SWB, or do u think once the novelty has worn off, it doesnt really make much of a difference - i

There is 5" of difference between the LWB and the SWB and that is entirely in the rear passenger space of the vehicle. On balance, there are a few benefits having the LWB i.e. heated, adjustable rear seats etc. That said, the SWB has plenty of space in the rear unless you regularly have a 7' giant in the back.

If I buy another S Class, I'd be inclined to go for as highly specced SWB as I can afford/source. The LWB is just too long to fit into standard parking spaces in Edinburgh/Glasgow and too long for most shopping centre car park spaces. The SWB is also definitely easier to throw around corners etc - my missus commented on this, so it is obviously not just me....

 

[SilverSaloon]

hi

looks like a 7 series is a serious contender (sorry!).... any advice in this or know of a good beemer forum.?

the dark side, the dark side!!

 

[sym]

www.bmwland.co.uk

is pretty comprehensive.

Also

www.bmwcarmagazine.com/forum

Don't think I could live with the looks of the 7 series though, to be honest.

Get a nice 5 series instead

(www.bmw5.co.uk/forum)

I'll be off now !!

 

[blicky_1]

If I had the money I would go for this beast every time!!

http://www.lodgemotor.co.uk/Car_descriptions/Mercedes_S500_Brabus_Silver_2002-02.htm

I am driving past it everyday at the moment on my way to work and they are making me very tempted!!

 

[C43AMG]

If you can hang on until next year mine should be for sale,it £15500.00 of Extra's.

You can veiw in the gallery S320L,it's petrol.

Peter

 

[Brett]

If you can hang on until next year mine should be for sale,it £15500.00 of Extra's.

You can veiw in the gallery S320L,it's petrol.

Peter

Mine has the same £15.5k of extras....and a diesel...

 

[C43AMG]

They still sound a bit like a London Cab,however quite they say they are.

I tested both,i just could not bring myself to buy the diesel,it drove very well it's the sound a diesel makes, could never get used to it.

Peter

 

[Brett]

They still sound a bit like a London Cab,however quite they say they are.

I tested both,i just could not bring myself to buy the diesel,it drove very well it's the sound a diesel makes, could never get used to it.

Peter

When it is cold, it is a little clattery but I disagree that it sounds like a London Cab! When warm, it gives a pleasant growl under acceleration and rarely intrudes in the cabin. Still, it is horses for courses. With a difference of almost 10mpg it depends on how far your wallet will stretch.